Summer is just around the corner, and with the new season comes beautiful weather, swimming, boating, summer sports, recreation, and unfortunately but inevitably, accidents. From swimming pool accidents to sports injuries, summer is full of activities that can cause injuries. It is important to be aware of these hazards if you want to keep yourself and your loved ones safe this summer.
Common Types of Accidents During the Summer Months
Certain accidents occur more commonly during the summer than at other times of the year. Here are some eye-opening statistics on the most common summer accidents.
Swimming Pool Accidents:
According to the CDC, there was an average of just over 3,500 drowning deaths a year between 2005 and 2014; that comes out to about ten deaths a day. One in five of these deaths are of children aged 14 or younger, and for every child that dies from drowning, there are five more who are admitted to the hospital for nonfatal drowning injuries. Even these nonfatal injuries can have serious, lifelong consequences due to brain damage.
Dog Bites:
Approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States every year, one in five of these dog bites will become infected, and in 2018, 27,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery due to a dog bite. Furthermore, in 2013, Illinois had the second-highest rate of dog bites in the country. Dog bites can lead to permanent disfiguration and disability.
Playground Accidents:
According to the CDC, each year more than 200,000 children aged 14 and younger are treated in emergency departments for injuries sustained at a playground. 20,000 of these children are treated for traumatic brain injuries; the rest are typically treated for fractures, contusions, or abrasions. Swing sets, climbing equipment, and monkey bars are the most common playground equipment where traumatic brain injuries occur. Sadly, emergency visits for playground accidents have increased in recent years, with the majority of these accidents (75%) happening at public playgrounds.
Sports Injuries:
According to Johns Hopkins, about 3.5 million injuries occur each year during organized sports involving children and teens. The majority of the injuries are sprains or strains, but some injuries are more serious. Over 775,000 children are treated in emergency rooms for sports injuries each year; sports injuries account for 21% of all traumatic brain injuries sustained by children, and brain injury is the leading cause of death of sports-related injuries.
Auto Accidents:
Car accidents are significantly more likely to occur during the summer. July and August are the deadliest months for vehicular-related deaths and injuries. More people are on the road vacationing and going out to meet friends and relatives and young, inexperienced drivers have more time to be on the road because they aren’t in school. Both of these factors lead to much higher traffic levels and an unfortunate increase in driving accidents and deaths.
Boating Accidents:
In 2019, the Coast Guard counted 4,168 accidents, including 613 deaths and 2,559 injuries, caused by recreational boating accidents. The top five factors responsible for boating accidents were: operator inattention, excessive speed, improper lookout, operator inexperience, and alcohol use. Seventy-nine percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those drowning victims, 86% were not wearing a lifejacket.
Prevention is the Key to Avoiding Injury
Preventing summer accidents is the key to avoiding serious injury. How does that translate to different scenarios? Whenever children are at a pool–a public one or a neighbor’s pool–a competent adult must supervise them closely. Children who cannot swim may also wear a life jacket but that cannot replace parental supervision. Small children can drown in less than 2 inches of water and it happens quickly and silently. And you should never rely solely on a lifeguard at a public pool to save your child from drowning. Adult supervision is also a must at playgrounds which pose all kinds of hazards. That includes backyard playsets and trampolines at a friend or neighbor’s house. Ask the parents if an adult will be watching your child when they go to play next door. The same is true of dogs. Whenever your children go to a house with an unfamiliar dog, make sure that the dog is gentle and supervised by an adult or locked securely away from the children. Caution is also recommended when boating. It is recommended that everyone on board wear a life jacket, especially those who cannot swim or are not strong swimmers. Only allow experienced boaters to drive the boat, avoid distracting the driver, and steer clear of alcohol. With regard to sports injuries, proper equipment, training, supervision, and pre-game and post-game stretching can prevent injuries.
Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer if I Have Been Injured in an Accident?
Despite being aware of the dangers of summer activities and taking the necessary precautions, accidents will still happen, and not much can be done about that. However, if you or a loved one have been injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault, that is a different story. You may be entitled to compensation and a reputable personal injury lawyer is essential in this situation.
At The Collins Law Firm, our team of experienced personal injury lawyers has a track record of success, fighting for accident victims just like you. We will be by your side every step of the way to ensure you get the justice you deserve. Fill out our online contact form or call us at (630) 527-1595 as soon as possible for a FREE evaluation of your case. There is no risk or obligation, and you will pay us nothing unless we win.
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