What to Do After a Boating Accident
If you’ve been involved in a boating accident, focus first on safety and appropriate medical care. Collisions, falls, sudden stops, and being thrown against part of a vessel can cause injuries ranging from muscle strains and joint pain to fractures, head injuries, internal trauma, and other serious conditions.
If you or someone else has severe pain, head trauma, loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, significant bleeding, weakness, numbness, a suspected fracture, or other emergency symptoms, call 911 or seek emergency medical care. For accident-related musculoskeletal injuries such as neck pain, back pain, soft tissue injuries, shoulder pain, knee pain, stiffness, or reduced mobility, chiropractic care and rehabilitation may be appropriate after more serious injuries have been evaluated.
Common Causes of Boating Accidents
Boating accidents can happen for many reasons, and more than one factor may contribute to a crash or injury. Paying attention to conditions, following boating safety rules, and using appropriate safety equipment can help reduce risk.
Factors that may contribute to boating accidents include:
- Operator inattention
- Operator inexperience
- Excessive speed
- Alcohol use
- Severe or changing weather conditions
- Poor visibility
- Equipment or mechanical failure
- Improper maintenance
- Collisions with other vessels or fixed objects
- Falls on the boat
- Unsafe passenger behavior
- Sudden turns, stops, or wakes
Wearing an appropriate life jacket, remaining alert, monitoring weather and water conditions, and following boating laws and navigation rules are important parts of reducing risk on the water.
What to Do Immediately After a Boating Accident
1. Check for Injuries
Check yourself and others for injuries before focusing on damage to the boat or other property. If someone is seriously injured, has lost consciousness, is having trouble breathing, or shows other emergency symptoms, call for emergency assistance as soon as possible.
2. Get Everyone to a Safe Location
If it is safe to do so, move away from immediate hazards such as fire, fuel leaks, moving vessels, strong currents, or other dangerous conditions. Anyone who has entered the water should use an appropriate flotation device while awaiting help.
3. Report the Accident When Required
Depending on the circumstances, a boating accident may need to be reported to law enforcement or the appropriate boating authority. Follow instructions from emergency personnel and provide accurate information about what happened.
4. Document the Accident
If your condition allows and it is safe to do so, take photographs or video of the vessels, visible damage, surrounding water conditions, docks, equipment, and other relevant details.
You may also want to collect the names and contact information of operators, passengers, witnesses, and responding authorities.
5. Seek Appropriate Medical Care
Boating accidents can cause serious injuries that are not appropriate for chiropractic treatment alone. Head injuries, fractures, internal injuries, spinal cord trauma, significant bleeding, and other medical emergencies require appropriate emergency or specialized medical care.
If you develop musculoskeletal pain, stiffness, soreness, swelling, or mobility problems after the accident, an evaluation can help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and what type of treatment is appropriate.
Common Boating Accident Injuries
The type of injury caused by a boating accident depends on how the accident happened, the force involved, whether someone fell or was thrown, and what part of the body was affected.
Boating accident injuries may include:
- Head injuries and concussions
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee and leg injuries
- Hip and pelvic injuries
- Muscle strains and sprains
- Joint injuries
- Fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations and bruising
- Internal injuries
Neck Pain and Whiplash
Sudden impact, rapid changes in direction, or being thrown against part of a vessel can strain the neck and surrounding soft tissue. Symptoms may include pain, stiffness, headaches, soreness, and reduced range of motion.
Back Injuries
Falls, collisions, and sudden jarring movements can place stress on the back and surrounding muscles. Symptoms may include lower or upper back pain, muscle tightness, stiffness, reduced mobility, or radiating discomfort.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Muscles, ligaments, and tendons can be stretched or injured during a boating accident. Soft tissue injuries may cause soreness, swelling, bruising, stiffness, and limited movement.
Shoulder Injuries
Bracing during impact, falling onto an arm, or being thrown against part of a boat can contribute to shoulder pain, stiffness, weakness, and reduced range of motion.
Knee and Leg Injuries
Falls on a wet deck, twisting during impact, or striking part of the vessel can injure the knees and legs. Symptoms may include swelling, pain, stiffness, weakness, or difficulty walking.
Can a Chiropractor Help After a Boating Accident?
Chiropractic care and rehabilitation may be appropriate for certain musculoskeletal injuries after serious trauma has been evaluated and emergency conditions have been ruled out or treated.
At Premier Injury Clinics of DFW, our accident injury chiropractors evaluate patients experiencing neck pain, back pain, soft tissue injuries, joint stiffness, shoulder pain, knee pain, and reduced mobility following accidents.
Depending on the injury, treatment may include chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitation therapy, mobility-focused exercises, soft tissue techniques, and other supportive care based on the patient’s condition.
Chiropractic care is not appropriate as the sole treatment for fractures, traumatic brain injuries, internal injuries, spinal cord trauma, or other medical emergencies.
What to Expect During Boating Accident Injury Treatment
Your first visit begins with an evaluation of how the accident happened, where you are experiencing pain or stiffness, and how your movement and daily activities have been affected.
Your provider will evaluate your symptoms and mobility and determine whether your condition is appropriate for chiropractic or rehabilitation care. If additional medical evaluation, imaging, or specialist care may be needed, an appropriate referral can be recommended.
When musculoskeletal treatment is appropriate, your care plan may include chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitation exercises, mobility work, and other supportive therapies. Progress is monitored throughout treatment so your care can be adjusted as your pain, strength, flexibility, and function change.
When Should You Get Checked After a Boating Accident?
If you develop neck pain, back pain, muscle soreness, joint stiffness, swelling, weakness, headaches, or reduced mobility after a boating accident, an evaluation can help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and what type of care is appropriate.
Do not wait for a chiropractic appointment if you have symptoms suggesting a medical emergency. Loss of consciousness, confusion, repeated vomiting, difficulty breathing, severe chest or abdominal pain, significant bleeding, inability to bear weight, or a suspected fracture should receive prompt medical attention.
Boating Accident Injury Treatment in DFW
Premier Injury Clinics of DFW provides accident-focused chiropractic care and rehabilitation for appropriate musculoskeletal injuries at seven locations throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Our team helps patients recovering from neck pain, back pain, soft tissue injuries, shoulder pain, knee and leg injuries, joint stiffness, and reduced mobility following boating accidents and other traumatic events.
Same-day appointments may be available, and free transportation is available within 15 miles of each clinic for qualifying patients. If you are experiencing musculoskeletal pain or mobility problems after a boating accident, contact Premier Injury Clinics of DFW to schedule an evaluation.
Boating Accident Injury FAQs
Should I go to the emergency room after a boating accident?
Emergency medical care may be necessary if you have head trauma, loss of consciousness, severe pain, significant bleeding, difficulty breathing, a suspected fracture, weakness, numbness, or other serious symptoms. When in doubt after a significant boating accident, seek appropriate medical evaluation.
Can boating accident injuries have delayed symptoms?
Yes. Muscle soreness, stiffness, swelling, headaches, neck pain, back pain, and mobility problems may become more noticeable after the initial shock of the accident. New, severe, or worsening symptoms should be medically evaluated.
What boating accident injuries can a chiropractor treat?
Chiropractic and rehabilitation care may be appropriate for certain musculoskeletal injuries such as neck pain, back pain, soft tissue injuries, joint stiffness, muscle strains, shoulder pain, knee pain, and reduced mobility. The type of treatment depends on the patient’s individual injury and condition.
What injuries require medical care instead of chiropractic treatment?
Fractures, internal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord trauma, severe bleeding, and other medical emergencies require appropriate medical care. Chiropractic treatment should not replace emergency or specialized care for serious injuries.
What happens during my first boating accident injury appointment?
Your provider will review how the accident happened, your symptoms, and how your mobility has been affected. The evaluation helps determine whether chiropractic care, rehabilitation, additional medical evaluation, or another type of treatment is appropriate.
What treatment may be used after a boating accident?
For appropriate musculoskeletal injuries, treatment may include chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitation exercises, mobility work, soft tissue techniques, and other supportive therapies based on the patient’s symptoms and recovery needs.
Does Premier Injury Clinics of DFW provide transportation?
Premier Injury Clinics of DFW offers free transportation within 15 miles of each clinic for qualifying patients. Contact the clinic to confirm availability and schedule your appointment.