Boat accidents can cause a variety of injuries. Though there are around 600,000 registered boats in the State of Texas, according to the Parks and Wildlife Department, there are around 233 boat accidents each year. In these accidents, an average of around 154 people are injured and 44 are killed because of their injuries. If you or a loved one was injured in a boat crash in Texas, talk to an attorney about your case. The Arlington, TX boat accident injury lawyers at The Queenan Law Firm offer free consultations to help injury victims understand their options for recovery.
Types of Injuries in Boat Crashes in Texas
Boat injuries range from mild to severe. Boats, especially smaller watercraft like speedboats, often leave riders with a seat, perhaps a seatbelt, and usually some kind of handle to hold onto. In the event of a crash, whether it be with a stationary object or another vessel, there are no brakes to slow boats down. This often means that occupants are thrown to the deck, shoved against bulkheads and gunwales, and may even be thrown overboard. The injuries that commonly occur in boating accidents are caused by striking against the inside of the boat, crashing into another person during the accident, or being thrown from the boat and striking other objects.
Simple Injuries
Bumps, scrapes, bruises, and minor cuts are some of the most common injuries. Even in less severe accidents, these injuries can commonly affect riders and pilots alike.
Broken Bones
Falling down or trying to brace yourself from impact can often mean breaking bones. Breaking the bones in your hand, wrist, foot, or leg may make it hard to perform daily tasks and the injuries could keep you from work. Breaking a rib or another bone that is harder to put a cast or immobilizer on can mean constant pain and discomfort while the bones heal. More serious injuries, such as pelvic fractures or skull fractures can require serious medical intervention to repair and may need months of bed rest and physical rehab to get you back on your feet.
Head Injuries
More serious accidents can see occupants hit their heads on other objects or people. If you fall to the deck, you could suffer a serious blow to the head. Similarly, if you are thrown overboard and hit your head against the hull of your vessel, another boat, or objects and debris in the water, you could face serious injuries. These head wounds could be serious enough to cause a concussion, which can leave you unconscious. More serious blows to the head can cause traumatic brain injury. Brain injuries like these can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Because your brain is the central processing unit for all signals and impulses in your body, permanent injuries to your brain can affect motor function, memory, senses, bowel control, balance, ability to walk, and other life-changing issues.
Drowning Injuries
If you are knocked unconscious in the water, you could begin to drown. Drowning is not always fatal, but if you are unconscious in the water because of a head injury, you may not be able to call for help or save yourself. Any time you spend unconscious in the water can be time that your brain does not get oxygen, potentially leaving serious or permanent consequences.
Back, Neck, and Spine Injuries
Falling or being involved in a sudden impact on a boat can mean serious back and neck injuries. Neck injuries often include whiplash injuries from your head suddenly snapping back and forth in an accident. Back injuries can include slipped or herniated discs, which affect the tissue between the bones of your spine. They can also include misalignment in the bones of your spine, which can put undue pressure on your spinal cord. Your vertebra can also be fractured, risking severe injury to the spinal cord. Anything below the point of injury could lose motor function, sensation, and experience serious pain or paralysis after a spinal cord injury.
Suing for Boat Accident Injuries in Texas
Texas boat accident laws allow you to sue for injuries. Some injuries may be covered by insurance, similar to the insurance available in car accidents. However, TX law always allows you the opportunity to take your case to court instead of relying on insurance. This could entitle you to additional damages for pain and suffering that you might not receive through insurance. These damages have no caps under Texas law, meaning they could be the highest part of your injury case. In addition, you could be entitled to damages that can cover your medical expenses and any wages you lost because of your injury.
Texas Boat Injury Lawyers Offering Free Consultations
If you or a member of your family was injured in a boat crash in Texas, talk to our Texas personal injury attorneys today. An Arlington TX personal injury lawyer at The Queenan Law Firm handle personal injury cases on behalf of injury victims and their families. For a free consultation on your case and for help understanding what your case might be worth, call our law offices today at (817) 476-1797.