5 Steps to Take If You’re Involved in a Boating Accident

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Your fun day on the water can quickly take a turn for the worse if you are involved in a boating accident but the key thing to remember is that the severity of the situation and the eventual outcome can often be positively influenced by the steps you take in the immediate aftermath of the incident.

Talk to a maritime accident attorney who has to deal with claims on a daily basis relating to boating accidents and they will most likely confirm that following a certain protocol is always advisable and recommended.

There are numerous reasons why a boating accident could occur but it is often the case that you can help minimize the impact by following these steps.

Seek medical help

First and foremost, your immediate priority after an accident is to verify the status of everyone around you and clarify whether you need to seek urgent medical attention at the scene.

If you or one of the other members of the crew has sustained what you consider is a serious injury that requires urgent medical attention it is important that you call for help and stay where you are while it arrives.

From a claim perspective, it is important to follow this protocol as it could have a detrimental impact on your ability to make a claim for compensation at a later date.

Assess your safety situation

Having carried out a medical evaluation you also need to be certain that you are not in a dangerous situation because of where you are or as a result of damage to the boat.

If you need to move the boat to a safer location and it needs to be moved to prevent further damage and the risk of personal injury now is the time to take that action.

Speak to the coastal authorities

Another key priority is to log the incident with the coast guard.

The coastal authorities will want to create a report that details everything that happened and records any personal injuries or damage to the boat.

It is vital that you take this step as it is not only a requirement but it is helping to create evidence that will assist a compensation claim at a later date.

Think about evidence

It is perfectly understandable that you may be distressed and distracted as a result of the accident but it is important that you try to gather evidence at the scene while it is fresh in your mind.

It is also your best chance of gathering vital evidence that could be crucial to a subsequent claim.

Get professional help

Maritime accident claims can be very complex and challenging, which is exactly why you need to talk to a maritime attorney who has the knowledge and experience to deal with your claim in the most efficient way possible.

Boating accidents tend to required specific legal representation from a professional who understands all of the aspects of this area of legal work.

Get in touch with a maritime accident attorney as quickly as possible after the incident so that you can discuss the situation while everything is still fresh in your mind.