Published: 05/2017 | Updated: 2/2026
- Added information about how many drones are registered in the U.S. from the Federal Aviation Administration.
- Added key drone injury statistics from the University of Florida.
Drones are becoming more commonplace and as of November 2025, there are more than 837,500 total drones registered according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
While drones can be a great way to get an aerial view of something, the laws surrounding drones and drone injuries aren’t exactly clear at present. However, drone operators who exhibit clear negligence and injure someone else with their drone may be held responsible for their carelessness. Here are 5 causes of drone injuries and what to do if you were hurt by a drone.
Drone Injury Statistics
In a study published by the University of Florida, there were 4,250 drone injuries recorded at a sample of 100 hospitals between 2015 to 2020. 84% of the patients were male and 21% of the patients were under the age of 18.
- 72% of injuries from drones were lacerations
- 10% of drone injuries were contusions or abrasions
- 5% of drone injuries were strains or sprains
- 5% of injuries from drones were internal
In 56% of cases, the victims’ fingers were injured. In 24% of cases, the victims suffered a head injury. The lower extremities were injured in 14% of cases, while the trunk was injured in only 6% of cases.
5 Causes of Injuries From Drones
1. Falling Drones
Drones have the potential to run out of power or come to a stop in the sky, falling dozens or even hundreds of feet down. If a person or group of people happen to below, critical drone injury can occur.
2. Spinning Blades
The spinning blades that keep a drone in the air are sharp and can seriously harm a person should they come into contact with them. In England, an 18-month old child lost his eye as a result of the spinning blades coming into contact with his face after a neighbor lost control of the drone.
3. Loss of Control
If, like in the above case, a drone operator loses control of the drone, the machine can crash at any time. A drone flying as fast as a car without anyone behind the wheel per se can have dangerous and potentially deadly consequences.
4. Improper Handling
There are many instances where the improper handling of drones have injured people. Perhaps one of the most notable cases, handled by our firm, is where a wedding photographer crashed his three-pound quadcopter into the faces of two guests during the reception.
5. Technology Failure
In some cases, drone technology will fail, causing the machine to crash into a person or harm them in some way. In cases like these, the drone operator may not be held responsible for the injuries, but rather, the company that designed and/or manufactured the drone. It is not quite clear who was piloting the drone at the time, or what experience the pilot had.
Contact Our Qualified Massachusetts Drone Injury Attorneys Today
At Mazow | McCullough, PC, we understand how injuries from drones can be to both adults and children. We are committed to providing victims of drone injuries with comprehensive legal support and advocacy. We’ll work hard to determine who may be held responsible for the accident and to see to it that you get the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a consultation with one of our Massachusetts drone injury lawyers by calling 855-693-9084 or 978-744-8000.
