Boat accidents are nothing new in Pennsylvania and on the Delaware River. Nearly all of them are preventable. There are a wide number of causes for boat accidents like the reckless or negligent operation of a boat, excessive speed, operating a boat in bad weather, poor passenger behavior, overloading a boat. operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and operating a boat after sundown with no navigational lights
Common Boat Accident Injuries
Boating accident injuries can be minor like cuts and bruises, or they be could be considerably more serious. Here are a few examples of some of the more serious injuries:
- Skull fractures or severe concussions from falling to the boat’s deck.
- Spinal fractures and spinal cord injuries from diving into shallow water.
- Multiple fractures and dislocations.
- Severe burn injuries from explosions.
- Irreversible brain injuries or deaths from drowning.
A Recent Delaware River Accident
A potentially tragic accident happened in May 2020 when a pleasure boat about 16 feet in length with six people on it overturned on the Delaware River. The boat reportedly struck a submerged object at about 9:30 p.m. Several people aboard the boat were thrown into the river. Members of the Edgely Boat Club, firefighters, and nearby boater assisted in pulling victims from the water. It’s unknown whether they were wearing personal flotation devices. Three to four people were transported to a local emergency room. The nature and extent of their injuries were not known at the time of their arrival.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Boat Accident?
Certain boating “rules of the road” control liability in many boat accidents. Failure to follow those rules or otherwise acting in a careless and negligent manner can cause a person to be held liable for an injured victim’s injuries and damages. If a negligent operator of another boat caused injuries to you and your passengers, all of you are allowed to seek damages from that operator. Those damages might consist of the following:
- Past and future medical bills.
- Any past or future lost earnings.
- Any permanent disfigurement or disability.
- Pain and suffering.
- Diminished enjoyment of life.
- Funeral, burial and other valuable damages in the event of a wrongful death.
Contact a Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a family member are seriously injured in any type of boating accident, contact our offices for a free consultation. After that, we can chart a course to get you headed in the right legal direction.