Stay Safe This Summer – Try to Avoid These Common Summertime Accidents

With the pandemic waning and summer here, people are out and about doing fun summertime activities. In New Jersey, folks are hitting the beach and pool, riding their bikes and motorcycles, enjoying their boats and personal watercraft, and playing at parks and playgrounds. Unfortunately, amongst all this fun, sometimes people get hurt. Sometimes it is their fault, and sometimes their injuries are caused by others. Regardless, try to avoid these common summertime accidents.

Swimming Accidents

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a lot of information about drowning and swimming accidents. According to their data, drowning is a leading cause of death for children. Besides death, each year, thousands of people are treated for injuries due to swimming accidents. The injuries include damage to the brain, spine, limbs, as well as severe cuts.

Many of these accidents can be avoided by:

• Learning how to swim or using flotation devices
• Installing physical barriers
• Supervising swimmers
• Avoiding alcohol and drug use
• Being informed of preexisting medical conditions

Please enjoy the pool, lake, ocean, and hot tub but do so safely.

Bicycle Accidents

I heard a discussion on a New Jersey radio station in which they talked about the conflict between drivers and bicyclists. One of the topics covered was that bike riders often ride on roads not designed for bike traffic. In these instances, the road shoulders are not wide enough or had too much gravel, potholes, and other debris where there are ample shoulders. Even though The League of American Bicyclists ranks New Jersey 7th in bike-friendly states, there were apparent differences between callers who were bike riders and car drivers. Each side expressed disdain for the other. Regardless of people's feelings, New Jersey cyclists are often injured and sometimes killed in accidents involving motor vehicles.

So, bicyclists and car drivers, please look out for one another.

Motorcycle Accidents

New Jersey has some of America's busiest roads. Therefore, motorcyclists are at risk every time they travel on one of them. And obviously, they face a greater risk of injury than a car driver – they have no protective metal, airbags, or seat belts. Common injuries to motorcycle accident victims include traumatic brain injuries, severe cuts and scrapes, road rash, broken bones, spine injuries, and internal injuries.

According to the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety website, when a motorcycle crash involves other vehicles:

• More than half occur at intersections.
• More than two-thirds occur when the vehicle's driver does not see the motorcycle.

So be on the lookout for other cars as they may not see you. Also, don't speed, and only ride when sober.

Boating Accidents

While many enjoy boating, jet skiing, and water skiing on New Jersey's waterways, there are always, unfortunately, the chances for accidents. The U.S. Coast Guard issues annual statistics on boating safety. Every year, there are hundreds of deaths and thousands of boating-related accidents. Most of these accidents are the result of somebody falling off of the vessel or colliding with another boat, rock or other object.

Like the other accidents previously mentioned, the most common types of accidents include:

• ·Brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Burns
• Severe cuts and accidental amputations
• Internal injuries

So please be safe on the water. Do operate your boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Do not speed and avoid distractions. And take other safety measures by having the right equipment, obey local laws, and avoid inclement weather.

Playground Accidents

Playground accidents are far too common in New Jersey as they are throughout the United States. According to The National Program for Playground Safety's website, more than 200,000 children are injured and require medical attention from playground injuries each year across the U.S. – staggering numbers indeed. That is equivalent to more than 500 children per day. Many of these injuries are pretty severe. These injuries include cuts, broken bones, head trauma, internal trauma, and even death.

Besides kids being kids, there are causes of these injuries that are of no fault of the injured child. For example, a broken swing or ladder may be the cause of an injury. Or perhaps the equipment has a defective design which makes it unsafe for children. Or the playground is unkempt, which is a recipe for injury. Lastly, a child could get injured, or worse, due to the lack of supervision. Parents expect their child will be watched and cared for when in daycare, camp, or school. 

Your Rights

I genuinely wish you a safe and fun summer, and you can avoid these common summertime accidents. However, if you get injured to no fault of your own, please remember that you and your loved ones have rights. Click here to schedule your free, no-obligation strategy session with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. During your confidential session, we'll discuss your unique situation, answer all your questions, and determine the right plan of action for you.y content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.