Did you know that approximately 4,000 boating accidents happen each year in the US?
In the event of a boating accident, knowing the immediate steps to take is important to keep the safety of all parties involved.
Knowing what to do and how to handle things can make a big difference in preventing additional damage and making the court and insurance processes easier. Boating accident attorney Tye Smith says that if you or a loved one suffer in a boating accident, you need to seek legal counsel immediately who can fight for your rights and get the compensation you deserve.
In this article, we can learn more about important steps that put safety, communication, and following the law first after these kinds of accidents on the water.
Assess the Safety of Everyone
After the incident, check if everyone involved in the boating accident is safe. Count how many people were in the accident. Check everyone to see if they have any injuries and give them a life jacket. Prioritize those who sustained injuries and immediately seek medical help. If there are individuals in the water, call a rescue operation right away and pull them to safety. Watch the surroundings to prevent any additional accidents or injuries.
Clear up any confusion with everyone on board by telling them what’s going on and what needs to be done. To comfort them and keep them from freaking out, speak and act calmly.
Check for Injuries and Get Medical Help
After making sure that everyone on the boat is safe, the next step is to check to see if any of the guests or crew are hurt. Check the person over to see if they have any cuts, bruises, or burns that you can see. If you’re able to document or jot down your own injuries, do so. This will help you explain to your boating injury lawyer what symptoms you had or how badly you were hurt in the accident. After writing down any injuries that can be seen, ask everyone if they are experiencing any pain or discomfort that isn’t clear at first glance.
Keep in mind that some injuries, like damage to the inside of the body, might not be visible but could be very bad. If you see any signs of stress or confusion, pay close attention. They could mean there is a bigger problem.
If anyone is hurt, they need to get first aid or emergency help right away, depending on how bad the situation is. Help the people who need it the most, and make sure everyone else gets help right away.
Call the emergency services right away so you can get medical help. Serious problems can hide behind injuries that don’t seem serious, so it’s important to get checked by the doctors. Remember that until help arrives, the most important thing is to keep as calm as possible.
Report the Accident
When you’re in a boating accident, you need to call the police and alert authorities to stop any more accidents from happening.
Tell the police about what happened with as much detail as you can. You should say where the accident took place, how many people were hurt, and how badly the ships were damaged. With this knowledge, the government can act quickly and correctly. Always remember that it’s right to report the accident, even if it seems like a small one.
Document the Incident
Once you’ve told the authorities about the boat accident, you can write down what happened. Place the date, time, and exact location of the event on paper first. Record the temperature, the amount of clarity, and anything else that could have affected what happened. Identify the type of boat, its license number, and the names of everyone on board.
Picture any damage to the boats, injuries, or other important parts of the crash with your phone or photo. If there were witnesses, get their names, phone numbers, and what they saw or heard as soon as they can.
Record what happened before, during, and after the accident. All the information you gathered can be used in court or to make an insurance claim.
Conclusion
When something goes wrong on a boat, you need to know what to do next. Taking quick and firm action can help make sure that everyone involved in the accident is safe and healthy. If needed, consult with a reliable boating accident lawyer so you can get compensated for the pain caused by other people’s negligence.
