Boating on the lake in Georgia is part of most people’s summer fun. But too often, a day on the water ends tragically on Lake Lanier. Since its creation in 1956, Lake Lanier has claimed approximately 700 lives. Sitting less than an hour away from Atlanta and accessible to several other major US cities within a few hours’ drive, its popularity has grown to accommodate over 11 million people each year.
If your life or the life of someone you know has experienced significant impact due to a Lake Lanier accident, let the Atlanta catastrophic injury lawyers with Griffin Durham Tanner & Clarkson LLC take on your fight for maximum compensation for your injuries, allowing you to focus on healing and recovery. We understand the damages caused by catastrophic injury and take your recovery and treatment seriously.
Reckless boaters cause real harm
Sadly, most of the injuries that have occurred on Lake Lanier were preventable. Catastrophic injuries often change lives forever, incur mounting medical debt, and lead to debilitating mental and physical symptoms. There are common summer catastrophic injuries you can prevent when spending a day on the lake.
Drowning
Drowning is one of the most common catastrophic injuries on Lake Lanier. Losing a loved one to any accident is life-changing, but preventable accidents can often be difficult to process.
From 1994 to 2018, 115 people lost their lives in drowning incidents on Lake Lanier. Drowning deaths constitute a serious concern. These common tips can keep you and your family safe and prevent catastrophic Lake Lanier injuries.
- Understand that distances are skewed on a lake. Know your limits and never taunt others into swimming further than they feel comfortable.
- Wear a life jacket while boating. Lake Lanier accidents can lead to injuries causing unconsciousness or the inability to move yourself to safety.
- Always supervise children and keep a constant headcount. It’s easy to believe there’s safety in numbers, but accidents can happen suddenly without others, particularly children, understanding what is happening.
Traumatic brain injury
Surviving drowning incidents has led to traumatic brain injury in some Lake Lanier accidents. Recovery from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) is often based on the timeliness of treatment after an accident. Some of the common injuries resulting from TBIs can include:
- Cognitive disabilities: Confusion, difficulty focusing or concentrating, verbal processing difficulties, mood swings, depression, coma
- Physical disabilities: Dizziness, nausea and vomiting, speech problems, weakness or numbness in extremities, convulsions or seizures, headaches, speech issues
Brain hypoxia
Victims of traumatic brain injury from accidents at Lake Lanier are often left to deal with impairments resulting from brain hypoxia. This type of brain injury is caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain. Choking, strangulation, and drowning can all result in cerebral hypoxia.
Suffering a near-drowning accident can lead to lifetime disabilities creating cardiovascular, neuromuscular, and respiratory disorders.
Burns
Incidents on Lake Lanier have also led to victims suffering catastrophic burns. Boats, unlike automobiles, are not stopped by braking mechanisms. Experience and attention are required to operate a boat.
Marinas provide floating docks where boaters can easily fuel up, but often these areas require navigating congested conditions to access fuel. Failure to maneuver safely can lead to collisions with gas tanks and other gas-powered watercraft, causing severe injuries to boaters and pedestrians on nearby docks. An Atlanta catastrophic injury attorney can help you receive the compensation you need for extensive burn treatment in a Lake Lanier accident.
Amputations, broken bones, and lacerations
Driving a boat recklessly or unaware of surroundings, particularly at night, can lead to crushing accidents that result in amputations, severely broken bones, and disfiguring lacerations. Losing a limb, living with the aftermath of a crush injury, and the treatments accompanying broken bones can impede your ability to work, and participate in activities that once brought joy, and may require treatment for ongoing pain and suffering.
Lacerations can cause permanent disfigurements, requiring ongoing surgeries. Any of these physically altering injuries can create a need for treatment in coping with anxiety disorders and depression resulting from accident-related PTSD or because of dramatic physical changes.
Causes of catastrophic injuries on Lake Lanier
Multiple factors play a role in the high rate of accidents that lead to catastrophic injuries on Lake Lanier.
Boating Under the Influence (BUI)
Alcohol is a major factor contributing to preventable accidents on Lake Lanier. Like DUI, BUI is against the law and extremely dangerous to boaters.
Inexperienced drivers
Boaters are not required to receive training for watercraft operations in Georgia, which often leads to violations of navigational rules on the water. Boat and watercraft operators, particularly young males, are more likely to drive while distracted, take risks, and put more individuals in harm’s way.
Congested environments
Lake Lanier is a highly visited lake, resulting in crowded waterways that are prone to dangerous encounters.
Catastrophic injuries change lives. Let us help.
Accident victims are not alone in their fight to regain health, stability, and support after suffering injuries on Lake Lanier due to negligence or reckless behavior. Speak with a dedicated Atlanta catastrophic injury lawyer by calling (404) 891-9150. Let us offer a future of hope and healing after your incident on Lake Lanier.