Boating and other water sports are popular pastimes here in Charleston County. On a hot summer day, taking a quick spin on a jet ski or leisurely sipping drinks on the deck of a pontoon can be a satisfying escape from the heat on land. Like any other vehicle, boats and other watercraft pose an injury risk to their passengers and operators. Although there are many ways to reduce your risk of becoming injured while operating a watercraft, there is no way to completely eliminate this risk.
If you’ve been injured in a boating accident, you could be entitled to monetary compensation for the costs associated with your injury. It all depends on which party’s negligence is responsible for your injury and whether or not you could have avoided it.
Contact our firm at 843-606-2755 to discuss your case with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. We can help you figure out if you have grounds for a personal injury claim and if so, the best way to approach it. Every case is unique and a strategy that worked for somebody else might not work for you and your case.
Possible Boating Injuries
There are many ways to become injured on the water. Some of these injuries are specific to boating and other watercraft and others can be sustained on land as well, through motor vehicle and bicycle accidents. The following list details ways a boat’s operator or passenger could become injured:
- Driving a boat or other watercraft while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs;
- Failing to properly maintain one’s boat or watercraft;
- Failing to obey channel markers and other traffic suggestions, including speed limits in speed-regulated waterways;
- Loading one’s watercraft beyond its weight limit with people or objects;
- Failing to obey weather warnings and other hazards ;
- Colliding with another watercraft; or
- Crashing into rocks, sandbars, and other natural formations.
These actions can lead myriad injuries that could become costly, life-altering, and even deadly. Some of these possible injuries include:
- Broken bones;
- Head and neck injuries;
- Spinal injuries;
- Paralysis;
- Fractures;
- Sprains; and
- Internal and external bleeding.
It’s crucial that you seek medical attention immediately following any type of accident. A seemingly minor injury can rapidly become a much worse affliction if it is left untreated. Always remember to put your health and safety first by obeying posted ordinances, keeping a first aid kit and life jackets on your boat, and seeking medical help when you need it.
Monetary Compensation For Your Injuries
In South Carolina, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the accident. If you think you could be entitled to monetary compensation, be proactive and start working with a personal injury attorney as soon as you can. Waiting to begin this process could have a negative impact on your eligibility for compensation.
Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help
At the McGrath Law Firm, we put accident victims first. After you’ve received medical attention for your injury, call us at 843-606-2755 for your free legal consultation. We can help you get the money you deserve.