Common Types of Boating Accidents in Canton, GA
The U.S. Coast Guard reports 91 boating accidents occurred in Georgia in one recent year, killing 17 people. More than 4,000 boating accidents happen nationwide each year, most of which involve at least one of the following:
- Hitting another boat or vessel, such as a jet ski
- Hitting a fixed object, such as a buoy or bridge piling
- Flooding or swamping the boat
- Grounding
- Falling overboard
Other common types of boating accidents include the following:
- Fires or explosions
- Electrocutions
- Capsizing
- Water skiing, wakeboarding, or tubing accidents
- Striking a submerged object
- Striking a person with the boat, propeller, propulsion unit, or steering machinery
- Falling while onboard
Common Injuries from Boat Accidents
According to the Coast Guard, over 2,600 boating accident injuries were reported nationwide in one recent year. Common injuries from boat accidents include the following:
Treatment for Boat Accident Injuries
Treatment for boat accident injuries will depend on their nature and severity. More severe injuries will require lengthier and more expensive treatment. Boating accident victims with severe injuries may receive critical care from medical professionals, such as oxygen, IV fluids, blood transfusions, and pain medicine.
The goal of critical care is to stabilize the patient. Doctors will then complete diagnostic tests to determine the appropriate course of treatment, which could include:
- Surgery
- Continued inpatient care
- Physical therapy
- Prescription medication
- Medical support device or equipment
- Home healthcare assistance
What to Do After a Boat Accident in Georgia
If you were involved in a boating accident in Georgia, you should take the following steps immediately:
- Get medical attention – If you have not already received medical attention for your injuries, go to urgent care or your doctor as soon as possible. You may have a serious injury but be asymptomatic. You will also need a medical evaluation and treatment as evidence of your injury if you decide to pursue compensation.
- Watch what you say to the insurance companies – Be careful what you say after an accident. Insurance companies may try to twist your words and use them against you to undervalue or deny your claim. Do not apologize for the accident, as this could be interpreted as accepting blame.
- Consult a lawyer – The most important action you can take to help your recovery is hiring an experienced boating accident attorney. A lawyer can investigate the accident, fight for your rights and interests, and seek maximum compensation for your injuries.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Boat Accident in Georgia?
Depending on the circumstances, the following parties or entities could be liable for a boat accident:
- Boat owners – If a boat owner’s actions or inaction cause an accident, a victim could hold them accountable for their injuries. For instance, a boat owner who does not maintain their boat or negligently lets someone else operate it could be responsible for an accident.
- Boat operators – Many boat accidents are caused by the person operating them. Boating while drunk, excessive speeding, and not following navigation rules are all operator behaviors that could cause an accident. A boat operator could be liable for injuries to their passenger or an occupant on another vessel.
- Boat manufacturers – Boat defects or malfunctions can also cause an accident. In those cases, a victim could pursue compensation from the boat’s manufacturer.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Boat Accident?
If you were injured in a boating accident that was someone else’s fault, you may be able to pursue compensation for the following losses:
- Current and future medical costs, including hospital stays, doctor’s visits, physical therapy, medications, and medical equipment
- Lost wages and benefits if you cannot work during your recovery
- Loss of future earning capacity if your injuries result in a long-term disability
- Property losses, such as boat repairs or replacement
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
Contact the Georgia Boat Accident Lawyers at Geiger Legal Group, LLC
If you suffered an injury in a boat accident in Georgia, the experienced lawyers at Geiger Legal Group, LLC can help you demand the money you could be owed. We will navigate the legal system while you focus on healing from your injuries. Our attorneys can build a robust case to hold at-fault parties accountable and pursue maximum compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses.
Contact the boating injury lawyers at Geiger Legal Group, LLC today for a free consultation to get started on your case.
