HUNTINGTON BEACH, California – Eight people were injured and transported to local hospitals after the 24-foot recreational boat they were riding in Huntington Harbor exploded Saturday afternoon just minutes after leaving the Sunset Aquatic boat dock, Harbor Patrol officials reported.

The explosion, which was reportedly due to a leaky gas line, knocked four of the nine passengers into the water and others were helped from the fiery boat by rescuers, officials said. The passengers, who ranged in age from early teens to about 60 years old, suffered fractured bones, scrapes and bruises. One passenger was unharmed in the boat accident.

The injured people were plucked out of the water by OC Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol as well as a retired Harbor Patrol man driving a private boat. They were taken to the Simple Green dock where paramedics picked them up and transported them to local hospitals including UCI Medical Center, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, according to police officials at the scene. The injuries were not life-threatening and fortunately none of the passengers were burned, officials said.

“It’s a miracle that none of the passengers were burned in this incident,” said Attorney West Seegmiller, founder of the Seegmiller Law Firm.

The boat fire was extinguished in part by a Long Beach lifeguard boat and the boat was completely destroyed, boat accident law firms were told.

Deaths and injuries resulting from recreational boating accidents declined in 2010 over the previous year, however, in 2010 there were 672 people killed and 3,153 injured as a result of 4,604 boat accidents, according to statistics compiled by the United States Coast Guard. Additionally, these accidents accounted for $35.5 million in property damage, reports show.

Boat explosions are not common causes of boat accidents, but failure to maintain a vessel or equipment failure resulted in 366 boat accidents in 2010 including 20 deaths and 108 injuries, Coast Guard statistics show. More often operator errors such as inexperience, speed, alcohol use and hazardous waters contribute to boat accidents.

“The most common types of recreational boat accidents are collisions with other vessels or stationary objects,” said Seegmiller, whose law firm specializes in boat accidents. “Deaths and injuries due to equipment failure are minor compared to other factors.”

The owner of a boat has a duty to maintain the vessel for the safety of his or her passengers. When someone is injured on a boat due to the negligence of the boat’s owner they are entitled to compensation for their injuries, boat accident law firms report.

For roughly 30 years, the legal experts at Seegmiller Law Firm have represented hundreds of clients injured in serious traffic accidents including those involved in recreational boat accidents. Our legal team has also handled hundreds of wrongful death claims for families of victims killed in these types of accidents. Indeed, the personal injury law firm has a proven track record supported by settlements ranging from several thousand dollars to millions.

Seegmiller is a personal injury law firm with a track record of proven results. There is no cost to clients until our experienced team of lawyers and legal professionals have won your case. Finding the best boat accident attorney can mean you will get the settlement you need to get your life back on track. Compensation for your injuries, loss of wages and pain and suffering can”t take away the trauma of the vessel accident, but it can help you rebuild your life.

Call us today at 1-877-426-0695 to speak with our boat accident law firm. Seegmiller Law Firm has offices in California including its headquarters in Irvine. We also have offices outside of Orange County to serve you in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and in Las Vegas, Nevada.