While boating accidents might seem rare, there are more than 5,000 of them every year.
Most accidents occur because people aren’t educated about boaters’ safety. You may be an experienced boater and carefully out on the water, but you can’t control what others are doing.
While you never want to think an accident will happen, it’s crucial to be prepared. Do you know how to respond to a boating accident?
This article is going to tell you everything you need to know. Continue reading our guide so if the unthinkable happens you know what to do.
1. Safety First
Safety should be your number one priority after you’ve been in a boating accident. The first thing you want to do is make sure everyone is accounted for.
If the boat is still intact, you’ll want to ensure everyone is on the boat. If someone does fall in, get them back in the vessel or to safety as quickly as possible.
Check everyone for injuries and call the authorities. If someone is injured, the emergency personnel on the phone will tell you what steps to take until help gets to you.
You should consider moving the boats if you’re in a high-traffic area. However, don’t leave the scene completely.
2. Documentation
There will be so many things going through your mind after an accident. However, it’s important that you don’t skip this step.
Boating accidents are going to be similar to car accidents. You’ll want to get as much information as possible before leaving the scene.
This includes photos and videos, witness statements, boaters’ registration, licenses, and phone numbers. Not every accident will go to court, but it will likely go through insurance, so the documentation step is key.
3. Contact a Lawyer
Even if you are feeling unwell right after the accident, take a moment to do a quick inventory of the facts. Look up insurance information, contact information, and any mitigating factors available to you. This information is going to be helpful once you contact a boating accident attorney.
Hiring an experienced lawyer will give you peace of mind. You’ll be able to focus on recovering instead of trying to win a settlement.
Your attorneys will handle everything surrounding the case. That’s why it’s so important to collect as much documentation at the scene as possible. The more you have, the easier it will be for your accident lawyers in New Orleans.
Boating Accidents in New Orleans
Boating accidents are incredibly common. Tragic results will often be amplified by the unique circumstances of operating a vessel on the water.
The legalities can be quite complex, and depend heavily on the specifics of the incident. Knowing the steps to take after a boating accident can make the beginning of the process easier.
After an accident, give us a call. Our team of boating accident lawyers are experts and will be able to advise you on your next steps and ensure you get properly compensated.