Boating Accident Injury

In some circumstances, boating accidents can cause various types of injuries. In certain cases, these injuries may be minor, yet in other circumstances, they could change the lives of the injured people completely. Some commonest injuries incurred due to boating accidents include:

Drowning and Near-Drowning

The most dangerous threat in boating accidents. Even skilled swimmers can be in danger if they’re hurt, out cold, or in cold or turbulent waters. Drowning can often be prevented by the use of a life jacket in most scenarios. In Canada, Transport Canada mandates that there must be an approved personal flotation device (PFD) on every person on board, but only if worn.

Broken Bones

The force of a crash, hard landing, or thrown around on board can very likely cause broken ribs, limbs, or facial bones. Such conditions may range from the uncomplicated fracture to the more involved breaks involving surgery and extensive recovery.

Head Injuries and Concussions

Suddenly bumping or jarring can cause the brain to be displaced within the skull and lead to concussions or even more serious TBI. Although no symptoms can be immediately perceived, such injury can cause lasting cognitive and emotional effects, so medical evaluation becomes necessary.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Violent impact or crashes in an accident can cause damage to the spine, and the outcome can be partial or complete paralysis. Rehabilitation can be lengthy, involving surgery, therapy, and adaptive care.

Amputations and Lacerations

Objects like propellers or splintered parts of boats can cause serious gashes when they are cut. These, while a rare occurrence but a very bad one, in certain situations will necessitate amputation if the life of the victim is in danger or an infection will be possible.

Electrocution

Most modern boats have electrical systems, including lights, GPS systems, and sound equipment. These, when submerged in water when crashing or failing, can be a dangerous shock hazard.

Legal Liability and Boating Accidents in Canada

In Canada, boating accidents are regulated by the principles of negligence, just like car accidents.If an individual is hurt on a boat, he or she must establish that his or her injuries resulted from another individual’s failure to act with reasonable care.

Examples of Negligence:

• Boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Racing or reckless driving.
• Failure to keep a proper lookout.
• Insufficient proper safety equipment aboard.
• Sailing in adverse weather or low visibility.

Boating while under the influence is an offence in Canada. Under the Criminal Code, driving any boat while alcohol or drug-impaired can result in fines, suspension of licenseand even imprisonment.

Who Can Be Held Responsible?

Based on the nature of the accident, different individuals can be held responsible:

• The person who was operating the boat you were on.
• The owner of the boat, if different from the operator.
• The owner or operator of another boat that was involved in a collision.
• The mechanic or manufacturer, if the accident was caused by a mechanical failure.

In multi-boat accidents, liability can be shared among operators, and in some cases, passengers can recover from more than one party for injuries.

The Role of Safety Equipment

Boats under Canadian law are to be equipped with some safety equipment on board, including:

• A minimum of one life jacket or PFD per person
• A dependable-signaling device (e.g., a whistle or air horn)
• Flares or visual distress signals (if the boat is bigger or used at night)
• Navigation lights
• Navigation lights

Not having this equipment isn’t just an offense for which you can be fined—it can drastically worsen the impact of an accident and can increase the liability of the boat owner.

What You Can Claim

If you’re injured in a boating accident due to someone’s carelessness, you can recover for:

• Medical expenses (both present and future care)
• Lost income or loss of earning capacity in the future
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Restoration costs

Here in Canada, basically you’d sue for civil personal injury. Different provinces are a little different, but generally all provinces have a limitation period—it could be two years from when you had your accident, such as in Ontario, to file suit.
Boating accidents can be physically, emotionally, and financially overwhelming. If you’ve suffered an injury on the water due to someone else’s negligence, speak with a Canadian personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. The right legal support can help ensure you’re fairly compensated—and that others are held accountable for unsafe behavior.