Boat Propeller Accidents Can Cause Horrific Injuries

Southern California’s year-round warm and sunny climate makes boating a favorite pastime among residents and visitors in the Los Angeles area. While boaters may be focused on having fun on the water with family or friends, they may not be thinking about potential dangers such as a boat propeller accident or the ways in which their lives could drastically change from the personal injuries suffered in these horrific accidents.

Recent boat propeller accident that occurred on a California lake

According to CBS News, a man recently suffered one of the worst types of injuries on a boat after falling overboard on Lake Barryessa in California this past July. After falling into the water, his wrist and hands were cut severely by the boat’s propeller. The man was rescued by Sheriff’s Deputies and pulled him to shore after they received reports of amputation caused by a boat propeller. While he was transported to a nearby hospital by helicopter for immediate medical treatment, his condition since the accident remains unknown.

Why boat propellers are so dangerous

Most boat propellers are located under water, making them hard for swimmers, boat drivers, boat passengers, water skiers, and anyone else near or in the water to see. Propellers are made up of very sharp blades that can severely injure or kill a person within seconds. When a boat passenger falls overboard into the water, they often make contact with the propeller located in the back of the boat. This frequently happens if the boat operator continues moving forward and the individual goes under the boat. It is crucial that boat drivers are instantly notified when a passenger has fallen overboard and that the boat is stopped immediately to avoid a boat propeller accident.

How common are boat propeller accidents?

In 2022, the United States Coast Guard reported over 170 accidents where at least one individual was struck by a boat propeller. These boat propeller accidents led to more than 180 injuries and 41 deaths. While these numbers are alarming, the Coast Guard reports that the number of boat propeller injuries is actually much higher, they are typically underreported.

Types of injuries from propeller accidents

Propeller accidents happen very suddenly, causing blood loss, permanent injuries, fatalities, and other irreparable harm to victims. The worst aspect of boat propeller accidents is that many victims become tangled in the propeller and it becomes extremely hard to untangle the body for burial and funeral arrangements. The following are the most common propeller accident injuries that occur:

• Amputations or loss of limbs
• Paralysis
• Cuts, punctures, and lacerations
• Facial, dental, and eye injuries
• Vision loss
• Disfigurement
• Scarring
• Organ damage
• Soft tissue, muscle, and tendon injuries
• Nerve damage
• Mental and emotional trauma
• Death

If your family member has died as a result of a propeller accident, California SB 447 now allows you to claim pain and suffering on behalf of the deceased.

Common causes of boat propeller accidents in Los Angeles, CA

Even though boat propeller accidents can happen to anyone at any time, there are several common causes of these types of accidents. Most of the time, the boat operator was careless, reckless, or even intoxicated, which means that negligence plays a big part in boat propeller accidents. The following are a few common causes of boat propeller accidents:

• Reckless or careless boat driving: While you may be having a good time on the boat, you should always drive cautiously. If a person begins driving recklessly or carelessly, they can cause their passengers to fall overboard. This may seem like harmless fun, but it can lead to passengers making direct contact with the boat propeller.
• Operating a boat while drunk or intoxicated: Operating a boat while drunk or intoxicated can cause your reaction times to become severely delayed. As a result, you may not realize that you are about to hit something in the water or turn too hard. This can cause your passengers to fall off the boat and be struck by the sharp propeller blades, leading to a bloody and traumatic accident.
• Tripping and falling overboard: Falling overboard is a very common reason for boat propeller accidents. If your boat is slippery or cluttered, your passengers may slip and fall overboard, which can lead to a propeller accident. Your passengers should always sit and remain in their seats while the boat is in motion. Do not allow them to ride on the bow of the boat as this this location frequently causes passengers to fall overboard.
• Distracted boat driving: Just like when driving a car, you must give your full attention to steering and operating the boat. You should never text, talk on the phone, or browse the web while also driving a boat. Doing anything other than steering the boat can cause an accident, which could possibly send your passengers into the water with a high likelihood that someone may come into contact with the sharp propeller blades.

Boat propeller accidents lead to some of the most devastating injuries that a person can witness or incur. The waters may turn bloody, the individual may incur deep cuts, and they may even lose one of their body parts. Therefore, the first thing you should do if you or a loved one has been involved in a boat propeller accident is seek medical attention right away. Afterwards, it is critical that you know your rights and what you can do to get the justice you deserve. When you are ready to begin discussing your case with a Los Angeles boating accident lawyer, please call the office of McNicholas & McNicholas or complete our contact form as soon as possible. We offer free case reviews, which are done remotely for your convenience. During this initial meeting, our team will explain how we will help you protect your rights and what legal options you should pursue going forward.

Please keep in mind that this blog is not legal advice. Every case is very fact specific. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you reach out to one of our attorneys to get the proper legal advice that you need.