Most people love a boat ride. It is relaxing and rejuvenating and is a safe way to enjoy your weekend or vacation. Fishing enthusiasts also often like to hire boats to explore deep into the river for a good catch. Luxury boats and yachts are quite popular amongst party lovers and adventure-seeking souls. While boat accidents do not happen as frequently as car accidents, they are not uncommon either. And when they do happen, they may result in injuries like any other accident.

Let’s discuss some common injuries.

  1. Brain injuries

Like any other accident, boat accidents, too, can result in brain injuries. This can happen when the head gets rammed against the walls of the boat due to a collision. Brain injuries can also happen when a person loses control of self due to intoxication or any other reason and hits any object hard. Victims that go overboard in a boat accident may suffer from traumatic brain injury due to prolonged oxygen deprivation.

  1. Whiplash

Collision with another boat or object causes the boat to stop abruptly with a jerk. This may catch people unaware and they may sprain themselves in the neck. This is known as whiplash. While whiplash is usually a minor injury, in some extreme cases it may be fatal.

  1. Broken bones

Another common injury that happens as a result of a boat accident is a bone fracture. Collision or sudden maneuvers usually cause these accidents as people fail to keep control of themselves. They may hit objects on the boat or may fall over and fracture or break bones.

  1. Ligament damage

Any violent jerk or extreme pressure may lead to ligament damage. Boat accidents often result in various types of ligament injuries like ACL, MCL, PCL, sprained ligaments, cartilage tears, etc. These injuries may not seem to be serious at first but in some cases, they can hamper the quality of life.

  1. Spinal injuries

The impact of a collision between two boats or the boat and some other object may put excess pressure on the spinal cord and it may be injured. Injuries also occur when a boat rides through high waves.

  1. Lacerations

Many boat accidents result in lacerations. This happens when out of control or drunken individuals come too close to the propellers and sustain deep cuts from the rotating blades.

  1. Burns

Explosions or electrical failures may result in fires within the boat. This can cause burns to crewmen as well passengers on board.

  1. Electrocution

A loose wire or water close to the electrical circuit to the boat may carry current and cause electrocution. Exposure to high voltage and significant current can lead to atrial fibrillation and cause blood clots, heart failure, stroke, or other cardiac complications.

  1. Limb amputations

Getting too close to the propellers can not only cause deep cuts but may result in limb amputation. People may accidentally fall close to the blades or may be the victim of the negligence of the boat driver.

  1. Drowning

In extreme cases, boat accident victims may die by drowning. This happens when passengers and crew are thrown overboard due to a collision or when the boat capsizes after taking in water. Inability to swim ashore, head injuries, disorientation, etc. are major causes of death underwater.

How to keep yourself safe?

It may be impossible to prevent all accidents, but precautions can sure go a long way in keeping you safe most of the time. While on a boat do the following to safeguard yourself:

  1. Get trained at a professional institute before you start driving a boat.
  2. Avoid boating under influence of alcohol or drugs. Even if you are just a passenger, don’t drink too much as you may lose control of self and cause an accident.
  • Make sure that you don a lifejacket.
  1. Always follow water traffic rules and driving rules.
  2. Check for weather conditions before you head out.
  3. Have safety equipment like fire extinguishers, boat lights, flares, etc. on board.
  • Make sure that no one gets close to the propeller.
  • Avoid risking maneuvers to keep yourself and others safe.

Contact a lawyer for help

If you have been injured in a boat accident, you should hire a lawyer as soon as possible. The lawyer will be able to determine whose fault it was and if your accident happened because someone else was negligent, he will be able to claim compensation on your behalf. A Boat Accident Lawyer Florida will ensure that you have a strong case against the party at fault and get the compensation that you deserve. The lawyer will also file a suit against the at-fault party if they disagree to pay the compensation. In short, the lawyer will help you cover the losses incurred due to the slip and fall accident.