With thousands of terrible boat accidents every year, it is a good idea to learn and understand how to be safe should you ever be involved in one. Whether you enjoy boat trips on vacation or boating around as a hobby, you will never want to lack the knowledge of what steps to take after being involved in an incident.
Should you be alone or without expert help at the scene, you will want to know how to handle the situation and what steps to take to recover medically and financially.
Therefore, this guide will walk you through what to do at the scene and how to handle the incident after.
Check for injuries
The first thing you need to do after a boating incident has occurred is to check yourself and everyone for injuries. Doing so will ensure that nobody suffers when you take the following steps.
Should someone be injured and need immediate help, then make sure to call the emergency services. If you are without a signal, set off the help signal or use your radio. Getting medical attention should be the first thing you do.
Move the boat to shore if possible
If you are close enough to the shoreline and can move the boat, it is best to get to shore as quickly as possible.
Being out in the water for too long could put your safety at risk. The boat might only survive a certain amount of time. Hence, you might be on a time restriction and only have a few minutes or hours until the boat is no longer usable. Plus, getting to shore as quickly as possible will ensure that anyone who needs medical assistance can get it sooner.
If the boat isn’t usable, seek help to be towed to shore.
Get help from a lawyer
Whether or not you know a lawyer, you want to get in touch with one to get the right legal advice and aid.
Seeking help from a boat accident lawyer is essential if you or a loved one has been involved in such an incident. If you were injured due to the boating operator, you would be entitled to compensation. Hence, seeking support from an expert in the field will ensure you attain the financial compensation you deserve.
Furthermore, these lawyers can ensure that you get the proper injury support. If you have suffered injuries as a result of the accident, then you must get the appropriate medical help to aid recovery. The right lawyer will ensure that you seek the best medical attention.
Report the incident
You should always report the incident – to the police and the boating company – after it occurs. Handling a boating incident alone can be overwhelming. Not letting the proper people know might result in the issue happening again to you or someone else.
Plus, letting the proper people know will ensure that it is handled and you can attain the right support alongside a lawyer. The police can intervene and further enhance the outcome of your legal claim.