Among recreational boaters, operator inexperience causes the most accidents. This can take the form of failing to maintain a forward look out, speeding and other reckless actions. Alcohol use sometimes intersects with inexperience to create a situation that could end up with a boat striking another vessel, personal watercraft, dock or swimmer. Striking another object can sometimes cause people to fall overboard, which can result in serious injury. Machinery failure contributes to many boating accidents as well. Although a breakdown does not always amount to negligence, it could place the operator at fault for your injuries if the person or rental company did not perform routine maintenance.