Drowning, Propeller Strikes, and Other Injuries: How Boat Accidents Can Cause Serious Harm
Boating is a popular recreational activity throughout the United States. Every year, millions of people enjoy boating on lakes, rivers and coastal waters. However, when something goes wrong on the water, people can suffer serious harm. Unlike car accidents, where safety systems like seat belts and airbags offer some protection, there is little to protect people on boats from being injured due to drowning, being struck by a propeller, or suffering blunt force trauma in a boat accident.
Boat Accident Statistics
According to the United States Coast Guard, there were 3,887 recreational boating accidents in 2024. These accidents resulted in 2,170 injuries and 556 deaths. Drowning was the most common cause of death in boat accidents, accounting for around 76% of all fatalities. Trauma was the second most common cause of death, including in cases where people were struck by boats or suffered catastrophic injuries in a collision. There were 169 incidents in which people were struck by propellers, resulting in 158 injuries and 30 deaths.
The Most Common Causes of Boat Accidents
The Coast Guard tracks the contributing factors behind boating accidents. The top five causes of boat accidents in 2024 were:
- Operator inattention: A person operating a boat may cause an accident if they fail to fully pay attention. Boat operators may become distracted by passengers, scenery, or activity on a boat or in the water. They may fail to notice hazards, preventing them from taking action to avoid a collision with another vessel, an object, or a person in the water.
- Improper lookout: Boat operators may fail to keep a proper watch for other vessels, swimmers or obstacles. This can go hand in hand with inattention, and a person’s failure to notice potential hazards can lead to a dangerous boat accident.
- Operator inexperience: While a license to drive a car requires a certain level of education and experience, people may be allowed to operate boats without receiving training. People who do not have experience handling boats may make mistakes that can lead to boat accidents.
- Machinery failure: Mechanical problems on boats, such as steering issues or the failure of an engine, can prevent a person from being able to control a vessel safely. When a boat has not been properly maintained, important parts may fail at a crucial moment and cause a collision.
- Violations of navigation rules: Boat operators are required to follow specific rules when operating around other vessels, personal watercraft, swimmers, and objects. Failure to follow these rules can lead to collisions between vessels or other types of boat accidents.
Other factors may also lead to boat accidents, including operating boats at excessive speeds and failing to account for weather.
Alcohol use is one of the most serious concerns, especially since boating activities often involve the consumption of alcohol. Just as alcohol can cause impairments that affect a person’s ability to drive a motor vehicle safely, it can also affect a person’s ability to operate a boat. In 2024, alcohol was the leading factor in fatal boating incidents, accounting for 92 deaths.
Effects of Boat Accidents
People who are injured in boat accidents can be affected in many ways. They may face large medical bills related to treatment for propeller strikes or other serious injuries. While recovering from an injury, a person may lose income due to the inability to work, and permanent disabilities may affect their ability to earn income in the future. As they address the ways their injuries have affected them, they may take steps to obtain financial compensation from a boat operator who was negligent, a boat owner who failed to perform the proper maintenance, or another party who was responsible for a boat accident.
Legal Help Following a Boat Accident
Claims related to boat accidents can be complicated. In some cases, maritime laws may apply, and victims may be unsure about their options for recovering compensation. A personal injury attorney who handles these cases can investigate the causes of a boat accident, identify all parties who were responsible, and help a victim obtain compensation for the damages they have suffered. In cases where boat accidents led to fatal injuries, a lawyer can assist families with wrongful death claims.