what to do after a boating accident

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A day on the water can be a truly exhilarating time. Few things can equal the sensation that comes from the sun warming your skin, and the wind whipping through your hair as the watercraft gains speed. Boat rides can be fun, but one mistake can quickly turn a great experience into a personal tragedy. If you’re ever unfortunate enough to be involved in a boating accident, the things you do in the immediate aftermath could have a drastic impact on your future. Here’s a step-by-step guide of What to Do After a Boating Accident

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Page 1: What to Do After a Boating Accident

A day on the water can be a truly exhilarating time. Few things can equal the sensation that comes from the sun warming your skin, and the wind whipping through your hair as the watercraft gains speed. Boat rides can be fun, but one mistake can quickly turn a great experience into a personal tragedy. If you’re ever unfortunate enough to be involved in a boating accident, the things you do in the immediate aftermath could have a drastic impact on your future. Here’s a step-by-step guide of what you should do from the moment the incident happens.

What to Do After a Boating Accident

Page 2: What to Do After a Boating Accident

• Safety is the most pressing concern, and the first thing you should do is assess the condition of your fellow boaters. See whether anyone is in the water while hurt or unconscious and get them back into the craft as soon as possible, or situate them on floating debris if the vehicle has broken apart. If your boat has a radio that’s still functioning, contact the U.S. Coast Guard or other local authorities to get help for anyone who might have suffered a serious injury.

• Once everyone is safely ashore, immediate medical attention is essential. In the moments after the accident, you may feel perfectly fine, but that could change when adrenaline subsides and your body begins reacting to injuries. Only a doctor will be able to determine your physical condition, and your long-term health should not be taken for granted.

• After medical needs have been addressed, the next priority should be legal representation. If you’re the owner or operator of the boat, it’s important to prepare a defense, as other injured parties might file lawsuits to recuperate some of their own recovery expenses. You could also face criminal charges if some of the passengers claim that alcohol or other reckless behavior was a factor in the wreck.

Page 3: What to Do After a Boating Accident

• If you were simply a passenger on the boat, it’s important that you consult a lawyer as well. Medical bills from an accident can easily amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars, and you have a right to recover some of those expenses if someone else is at fault for your injuries. Insurance companies might try to offer you a settlement, but you shouldn’t accept anything without first meeting with an experienced attorney.

• The aftermath of a boating accident can be filled with disorienting shock, which is why it’s important to know what you should do long before something happens. Take time to think about it now, and you’ll be better prepared to deal with things on instinct.

• To learn more about what you should do after a crash on the water, visit this wrongful death lawyer website  www.davidandassociates.com/wrongful-death of Jacksonville.