Two Injured in Solano County Boat Crash Near Montezuma Slough

Solano County Boat Crash Occurs Near Rio Vista

Emergency crews responded Sunday evening to a Solano County boat crash near Montezuma Slough and Suisun Slough, close to Rio Vista. The crash occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. on December 7, when a 17-foot white Cruise Liner struck land with two people onboard. Both occupants sustained head injuries in the collision. 

Solano County Boat Crash Reportedly Causes Head Injuries

Due to poor weather conditions, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) helicopter was unable to respond by air. Fire Department personnel launched a rescue boat to reach the crash site, which was in a remote area difficult for ambulances to access. Around 8:25 p.m., members of the Solano County Sheriff’s Office reached the scene by off-roading through rough terrain. 

Cause of Boat Crash Being Investigated

Deputies transported both injured individuals to their vehicle for medical care since an ambulance could not reach the area. Authorities have not released the cause of the crash or the condition of the injured. The incident remains under investigation by local law enforcement and marine safety officials.

Boats That Become Grounded

A grounding Solano County boat crash happens when a vessel strikes the bottom, shoreline, or a hidden object and comes to an abrupt stop, often throwing occupants forward and causing serious injuries such as head trauma, fractures, and spinal damage.​

Common Causes of Grounding

Several preventable factors are often involved when a boat runs aground. Typical causes include:​

• Operator inexperience or poor lookout in unfamiliar or shallow waters.​
• Misreading charts or GPS, or relying on outdated navigation information.​
• Speeding in low-visibility conditions such as darkness, fog, or bad weather.​
• Failing to account for tides, currents, sandbars, or underwater rocks.​
• Mechanical issues affecting steering or propulsion that prevent timely course corrections.​

How Grounding Causes Injuries

When a boat slams into the bottom or shoreline, the sudden deceleration can violently throw passengers into hard surfaces. Injuries may include:​

• Head injuries from impact with consoles, gunwales, or rails.​
• Neck and back trauma from the abrupt stop, similar to a vehicle rear-end collision.​
• Lacerations and fractures from being tossed around or ejected from the vessel.​

Proving Fault and Recovering Compensation

An experienced accident lawyer can investigate a grounding crash to show how another party’s negligence caused the injuries. Key steps may include:​

• Reviewing weather, tide, and navigational data to show unsafe operation in known hazards.​
• Obtaining witness statements, photos, and damage patterns to reconstruct speed and direction.​
• Evaluating whether the operator was impaired, distracted, untrained, or ignored safety rules.​
• Identifying all sources of compensation, including insurance coverage and any responsible owners or employers.​

Role of a Boating Injury Lawyer

A boating injury attorney can handle the legal and insurance issues while the injured person focuses on recovery. Legal help may include:​

• Calculating damages for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and future care needs.​
• Dealing directly with insurers, filing claims or lawsuits, negotiating for a fair settlement, or taking the case to trial if needed.​

Call a Rio Vista Personal Injury Lawyer for Free Advice

I am Ed Smith, and I am a Rio Vista personal injury lawyer. If you were injured in a grounding or other Solano County boat crash, our accident lawyers can review what happened and explain your options for pursuing compensation. We have experience handling serious injury claims and work to secure full and fair financial recovery for clients harmed by negligent boat operators and others at fault. To schedule free, friendly legal advice, call us at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400, or contact us online today.​

Photo attribution: Pixabay

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