South Carolina Boat Accidents Brain Injury Lawyer

South Carolina Injury Lawyers for TBI and Concussions Caused by Boating Crash

When thinking about boat injuries, damage to the brain may not initially come to mind. However, brain injuries resulting from the physical contact involved in a boating accident and oxygen deprivation related to drowning are prevalent. 

At the Steinberg Law Firm, our Charleston boat accident lawyers work closely with accident victims, their families, physicians, and medical experts to pursue compensation on behalf of injured boaters. After suffering a brain injury in a boat accident, we recognize that bringing a personal injury case may not be at the top of your list of things you need to address. However, by pursuing a claim against the at-fault party, you can help offset some of the financial harm you have suffered due to the accident. For more than 95 years, the Steinberg Law Firm had provided accident victims and their families across South Carolina with compassionate, dedicated, and aggressive representation. 

Boat Accident Statistics

According to the United States Coast Guard, there were more than 4,168 boat accidents in a recent year. These accidents injured more than 2,500 boaters and claimed 613 lives. 

Boating is not always dangerous. However, when inexperienced, reckless operators are driving a boat, anyone nearby is at risk. The most recent report from the Coast Guard explains that the top five causes of boat accidents are:

• Operator inattention
• Improper lookout
• Operator inexperience
• Excessive speed
• Alcohol use

Of these causes, alcohol use is perhaps the most concerning. While it takes a certain level of negligence to cause any boat accident, those who drive a boat while under the influence of alcohol act recklessly. The Coast Guard estimates that 23 percent of all fatal boating accidents involve alcohol. 

Brain Injuries Resulting From a South Carolina Boat Accident

A boat accident can result in several types of brain injuries. Brain injuries arising after a boat accident either involve physical impact or oxygen deprivation. 

Unlike cars, most boats do not have seatbelts or safety restraints. In a boat accident, passengers often end up getting thrown around the boat or into the water. 

Typical head and brain injuries after a boating accident include:

Traumatic brain injuries: A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is any head injury that disrupts the brain’s normal function. A TBI can be caused by blunt force to the head or a penetrating injury. 

Concussions: A concussion occurs when there is a swift and sudden movement of the head in which the brain collides with the inside of the skull. Some concussions are minor and may cause no long-term damage. A recent study indicates that more than half of all people who suffer a concussion experience post-concussion syndrome, resulting in sleepiness, dizziness, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and anxiety. 

Contusions: A sudden direct impact may cause a contusion, which is a bruise on the brain’s surface. A contusion results in a loss of consciousness for at least 15 minutes, accompanied by damage to the brain.

Penetrating injuries: Also referred to as open head injuries. Penetrating injuries occur when an object pierces the meninges’ outer layer, which is the thin membrane between the brain and the skull. 

Hypoxic-Anoxic Brain Injuries: A hypoxic-anoxic brain injury occurs when the brain does not get the oxygen it needs to function correctly. Hypoxic brain injuries refer to a partial lack of oxygen, and anoxic brain injuries refer to a total lack of oxygen. These brain injuries can be extremely serious, depending on the extent of oxygen deprivation. 

Compensation for Brain Injuries From Boat Accidents 

Those injured in a South Carolina boat accident can file a personal injury case against the parties responsible for their injuries. Generally, there are two types of compensation available to injury victims, economic and non-economic damages. 

Economic damages are meant to compensate victims for financial losses. These can often be determined by presenting receipts, medical bills, or through the testimony of an expert witness. Examples of economic damages include the following:   

• Future medical expenses 
• Past medical expenses
• Loss of earning capacity in the past and future 
• Lost wages and income
• Added expenses to hire providers to do the things you can no longer do

Non-economic damages are more subjective. Examples of non-economic damages include the following:  

• Physical pain in the past and future 
• Mental anguish in the past and future
• Physical impairment in the past and future 
• Disfigurement 

Contact the Charleston Boat Accident Lawyers at the Steinberg Law Firm for Immediate Assistance

A brain injury following a boat accident can drastically change the course of your life. You may be facing mounting medical expenses, unpaid bills, and many other concerns. At the Steinberg Law Firm, we can help you pursue a claim against those responsible for your injuries. Over the past 95 years, the Steinberg Law Firm has fostered a long-standing reputation for excellence, compassion, and dedication to our clients and well-being. When you are ready to talk to a lawyer about the boat accident that caused your brain injuries, you can reach a Steinberg Law Firm attorney at 843-720-2800. You can also contact us through our online form. We offer free consultations and no fee unless we secure compensation for you.