Common Injuries from Boating Accidents

In 2022, there were 5.4 fatalities per 100,000 recreational boats in the United States. While a decrease from the year prior, boating accidents are a growing concern and a threat to everyone’s safety. Unfortunately, many people fail to take the proper precautions while participating in watercraft activities.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a boating accident, our Columbia, South Carolina boating accident lawyers are here to fight for the compensation to which you are entitled.

Watercraft Injuries

A boating accident can cause a number of injuries, such as:

Traumatic Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur if you are thrown off balance and hit your head. A TBI is a brain dysfunction caused by a sudden blow or strike to the head. While some brain injuries are minor and may resolve on their own, others may cause permanent disability. You need to seek medical treatment if you believe that you have sustained a TBI.

Fractures

A fracture, or broken bone, is common when out on the sea. A fracture can be caused by slipping on a wet surface. Common fractures include fractured ankles, arms, and elbows.

Lacerations and Amputations

Sharp surfaces on a boat increase the risk of lacerations. Even a minor cut is dangerous since it makes a person susceptible to infection. Even more alarming, many people have been known to suffer accidental amputations by getting their hand or leg caught in a boat’s propeller.

Spinal Cord Injuries

An individual is at risk of suffering a spinal cord injury in a traumatic incident. A spinal cord injury can be caused by damage to the nerves at the end of the spinal cord. Symptoms may include weakness, lack of sensation, and paralysis below the site of injury.

Near Drowning

Near drowning, also referred to as non-fatal drowning, involves suffocation from being underwater for a prolonged period. Even after just four minutes, the brain can suffer irreversible damage. Other side effects of near-drowning include chest pain, a bluish tinge in the face and around the lips, unconsciousness, lethargy, and vomiting.

Safety Tips

The following precautions should be followed if you plan to take your boat out on the water:

Before You Leave

• Check the weather
• Let someone know where you are going
• Check the fuel and battery charge
• Be sure to bring life saving devices
• Make sure the fire extinguisher is accessible and in good condition

On the Water

• Do not operate the vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Always anchor from the bow of the boat and pull the anchor before leaving
• Know the aids to navigation and buoy system in your area
• If caught in a storm, head into the wind, put on personal flotation devices, and have all passengers keep low in the boat
• If the boat capsizes, stay with the boat

Injured? Speak with our Columbia, SC, Boating Accident Lawyers 

Even taking all necessary precautions, individuals can still suffer serious injuries in a boating accident. If your boating accident was the result of another person’s negligence, we want to hear from you. To learn more or to schedule your consultation, contact The Law Office of Sharpe & Leventis by calling 803-830-6296 or by filling out our online contact form.