Common Injuries from Columbia Boating Accidents

While recreational boating offers avid water lovers many benefits, it can also be dangerous. That is particularly true when negligence is involved. You could be eligible for a payment if you suffered harm because of someone else’s recklessness. Speak to a skilled boat accident lawyer to learn more about the common injuries from Columbia boating accidents.

The Typical Injuries From Boating Accidents

There are more possibilities for injury on the water than you might realize. Some examples of the most typical injuries include the following.

Drowning

Drawing is among the most common types of injuries people sustain from boat accidents, and it can occur for many reasons, including:

• The operator or passengers falling overboard and becoming disoriented or incapacitated during the fall
• Capsizing caused by overloading, mechanical failures, or negligent operation
• Those falling overboard may go into shock from the cold water, and they are also at a high risk of hypothermia
• Failure to ensure there are enough life jackets onboard for the operator and passengers
• Drinking alcohol significantly impairs judgment and reaction times and is a substantial cause of severe water vessel crashes, leading to severe bodily harm

Watercraft operators and passengers can prevent accidents with catastrophic effects by ensuring the boat has all the necessary safety equipment and remaining alert and sober.

Deep Cuts and Lacerations

Deep cuts and lacerations are a serious risk in boating accidents and may happen for various reasons, including striking the sharp propeller, striking objects, and slip and fall accidents. Fishing gear also increases the risk of those onboard sustaining severe injuries.

Operators must practice propeller safety, such as turning off the engine when people swim in the area, or when passengers are boarding or disembarking. Keeping the decks safe and dry, and warning of slipping, is a highly effective way to avoid severe injuries and losses.

Brain Injuries

People often sustain brain injuries during boating crashes for many reasons, including ejections causing the victim to strike the water, objects inside the watercraft, or objects outside of the boat with their heads. The force of the impact causes the brain to strike the inside of the skull or loss of oxygen from near-drowning incidents. Operators must avoid unsafe maneuvers, speeding, or other reckless actions to prevent causing harm to passengers.

Spinal Cord Trauma

The trauma of the spinal cord or surrounding nerves can have lasting consequences that devastate you and your entire family. Whether someone has complete or incomplete paralysis, or has lost the ability to move certain body parts, the disability can dramatically alter your life.

It may occur during violent impacts with other boats or objects or falls from heights and slipping. Boaters and all passengers must avoid reckless actions and behavior at all times and act responsibly to prevent accidents with catastrophic injuries.

Pre-Trip Inspection

Conducting a thorough pre-trip inspection before taking any watercraft out on the water is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. According to the guidance provided in the Missouri State Highway Patrol Boating Laws and Responsibilities handbook, doing a pre-trip inspection before entering the water every time can substantially reduce the risk of accidents and severe injuries, and that includes:

• Always check the predicted forecast for the location and time frame the operator plans to be on the water
• Make sure mechanical parts, such as the vessel’s lights, throttle controls, and battery to ensure they are working properly
• Check for possible fuel and oil leaks, and ensure hoses and connections are in inadequate working order
• Ensure all the required safety equipment, such as life jackets and fire extinguishers, are onboard and working
• Alert a reliable family member or friend about the plan to take a trip on the waterway, called a “float plan,” and for how long so they know there is an issue immediately in emergencies
• If passengers are on board, collect their names, contact information, and emergency contact information

Safe waterway navigation is everyone’s responsibility, and when negligence causes others harm, the civil court will hold the negligent party financially responsible. A lawyer knowledgeable about the common injuries from boating crashes in Columbia could help prepare a strong claim for damages.

Contact a Columbia Attorney for More Information About the Common Injuries from Boating Accidents

Negligent boat operations or reckless passengers can quickly turn a fun and relaxing day on the water into a tragedy. Understanding the causes and types of injuries people suffer most can help you avoid them – and will be relevant when filing a personal injury claim. Call The AW Smith Firm for more about the common injuries from Columbia boating accidents and begin preparing your case.