Injuries Caused by Houston Boating Accidents

While boat accidents can cause a range of injuries, some of the most common include: 

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – Objects striking a head, falling down and explosions on boats can all contribute to TBIs. While milder TBIs like concussions can respond well to treatment, there is a growing body of evidence to suggest that even mild TBIs can have cumulative, lasting impacts. In the worst cases, TBIs can cause irreversible and debilitating impairments, like problems with coordination, mobility, cognition, perception, mood and/or speech.
• Spinal cord injuries – Blunt trauma, as well as hyperextension, can lead to vertebral fractures and/or pinching or severing of the spinal cord. These injuries can cause nerve damage, mobility impairments and an inability to control bodily functions. In the most serious cases, spinal cord injuries can cause permanent paralysis in the form of paraplegia or quadriplegia.
• Electrocutions – When boating equipment malfunctions or hits powerlines, those aboard (or swimming by) the vessel can be electrocuted. While this injury is not as common as other types of boating injuries, at least a handful of people across the U.S. are electrocuted in boating accidents each year.¹
• Disfigurement – Scarring and loss of limbs are two of the primary ways that boating accidents can disfigure victims. In many cases, disfigurement can have emotional impacts, like depression.
• Emotional & psychological injuries – While these impacts can be more difficult to notice than physical injuries from boating accidents, they are no less damaging. In fact, the psychological and emotional damage from boating accidents can manifest as post-traumatic stress disorder, severe anxiety and depression (among other conditions). These types of injuries can last for years and require personalized, ongoing treatment.
• Fatal injuries – More than 700 people in the U.S. were fatally injured in boating accidents last year. Of these, about 80 percent were drownings. In drowning incidents, more than 4 in every 5 victims was reportedly not wearing a life jacket when the accident occurred.

In the aftermath of a boat accident, getting immediate medical attention to treat the injuries should be the top priority. Once victims’ health has stabilized, the next essential step to take will be to contact a Houston boat accident lawyer at the Amaro Law Firm to discuss the legal options for seeking financial recovery.

Depending on the cause of a boat accident, victims (and/or their loved ones) may have a claim against parties like (but not necessarily limited to):

• Boat operators
• Boat owners
• Boating equipment manufacturers
• Boat maintenance technicians or repair facilities.

Victims who are successful in bringing a claim against these and/or other negligent parties can secure compensation for (but not necessarily limited to):

• Property damage and repairs
• Emergency medical treatment
• Future treatment needs
• Past and future lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium.

Though money can never erase the impacts of serious or deadly boating injuries, it can be integral to getting treatment, picking up the pieces and rebuilding lives.

When you are ready to recover from a boat accident, it is time to contact an experienced Houston boat accident lawyer at the Amaro Law Firm.

Call (713) 352-7975, text (281) 612-8024 or email our firm for your FREE, no obligations consultation and important answers about your rights, your potential claim and how to proceed.

The Amaro Law Firm’s history of extraordinary representation and success in boating accident (and other personal injury) claims has earned us glowing testimonials from former clients, as well as 5-star ratings on Google and Facebook.

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1: The latest data and statistics on boating accidents, from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)