When two ships collide, the results can be devastating for those aboard and for the environment. As a Jones Act law firm, Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., has helped many mariners who were injured in these accidents.

There are several different types of maritime collisions, including:

• Side collisions – when a vessel is struck on the side by another vessel.
• Bow-on collisions – when two vessels strike each other head-on.
• Stern collisions – when one vessel runs into the back of another.
• Allisions – when a vessel strikes an object, such as a bridge.

To avoid vessel collisions, the International Maritime Organization has rules that govern waterway navigation. Unfortunately, accidents still happen and often with tragic consequences for crewmembers and passengers.

Just as there are different types of collisions, there are also several common causes of these maritime accidents, including:

• Equipment failure: Engine failure, loss of maneuvering capabilities, or other equipment malfunctions.
• Weather: Bad weather conditions such as fog, high winds, ice flows, and storms at sea.
• Human errors: This is the most common cause of maritime collisions and can include errors or carelessness by crewmembers or confusion about maritime traffic schemes.
• Infrastructure: Something out of position on land, such as a drawbridge dropping too early.

If you were injured or a loved one killed in a maritime collision, contact the Jones Act attorneys at Maintenance and Cure today for assistance.