Boating Injuries in Melbourne, Florida

If you have ever been to the Melbourne area, then you know salt life is the only life here.  The Melbourne Causeway stands as a reminder of the integration of cars and boats as a means of transportation.  Boat accidents do happen.  Our state leads the nation in them with the highest death and injury rate.

Most Common Boating Accident Injuries

You can probably imagine boating accidents to be pretty intense in their capability to injure people.  People can be thrown from boats, injured from impact while being towed behind, and collisions with other watercraft can be devastating.  However, even the most simplest of injuries can happen.  It doesn’t always have to be a gruesome occurrence.  The most common ways to get hurt while boating are:

• Concussion
• Sprains
• Burns
• Broken bones
• Lacerations
• Spinal cord injuries
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Hypothermia
• Fatal and non-fatal drowning

What Constitutes a Boating Accident?

A boat can be any type of vessel such as a jet ski, sail boat, motor boat, canoe or kayak.

• Capsizing
• Explosion or fire from a faulty part or accident
• Collision with a floating object
• Collision with a fixed object or land
• Collision with another boat
• Accidents involving skiers, wakeboarders or other towed persons
• Passengers falling overboard

Prevention is Best

Safety should always come first.  There should be enough life jackets on board for everyone.  You need to know what the weather is going to do.  And you need to have a plan in place so if something does go wrong, you are prepared.

Most boating accidents occur when someone violates a boating law or is not paying attention from drinking under the influence (Yes, you can get a DUI while drinking and driving a boat).  If you have been a victim of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.   That is why it is important to always attend to medical needs promptly and contact your Melbourne, FL personal injury attorney.  Injuries may not be apparent at first.  They may appear days after the accident.

Negligence on the part of others may not always be clearly established when adrenaline is rushing or you require medical attention.  Involving your attorney from the beginning will help insure your boating injuries receive the compensation you need to move on with life after a traumatic event.  And most importantly, make sure you and those involved in the accident get thorough medical attention.