What To Do After A Florida Boating Accident?
Corbin Sutter
Boating Accidents
Boating and other water activities are popular in Florida for both locals and tourists, but many unexpected things can happen while you are out there enjoying, such as boat collisions and other similar accidents. A lot can be lost underneath the waters and unlike car collisions on land, proving who is at fault in a boating-related accident can be tricky. When you find yourself involved in a boating accident, what are the things that you should do?
After A Boating Accident:
• Check For Injuries - Before doing anything else like checking your boat for dents and damages, the first thing you should do is to check if you or the other passengers sustained injuries after the accident. The light rocking of the boat from the waves can cause people to fall off balance and hit something. Checking for injuries is important so that they may be addressed immediately and be given first-aid as it may take you a while to receive proper medical attention while out at sea or any body of water.
While you’re at it, you can also do a headcount in cases where multiple people are on board a large water vessel. Some people may have fallen off the boat after a collision or a particularly large wave, which could lead to drowning or disappearance in worst-case scenarios.
• Gather Evidence - As we mentioned, a lot can be lost in the waters and stories can change once you have reached authorities on land. Gathering evidence such as photos and witness statements can help you prove your innocence and find out the cause behind the accident and who is truly responsible for it.
• Check If The Water Vehicle Is Equipped With Safety Equipment - When the accident led to people being injured, be sure to check if the boat you are riding is equipped with things like life jackets, floaters, functioning seatbelts, and other safety equipment that is enough for everyone on board. Failure to have these available can be a violation and the owner or driver of the boat can be held accountable for being negligent.
• Check If The Boat Drivers Are Professional And Experienced - One of the reasons behind boat accidents is inexperienced drivers. People who are new to water activities can lose control of their water vehicle, be it a boat or a jetski.
Common Causes Of Both Accidents
• Boat Collisions - Just because the sea is vast and wide does not mean you get to be complacent. Even with the huge space available for boating, boat collisions still do happen and they happen more frequently than you think. Even at sea, routes and boat traffic are still being observed. Collisions between big sea vessels and smaller ones are also common as small boats and jetskis are often found in the blind spots of big boats.
• Boat And Rock Collisions - It can be hard to see what’s out there especially when the waves are big. That is why boats often hit rocks that are well-hidden just beneath the surface of the water.
• Huge And Strong Waves - If you are driving a small water vehicle, you might want to reconsider going out if the weather is too windy and the waves are too strong. Big waves can turn your boat over easily while strong winds can redirect you in a different direction and it will be hard to control your boat then.
• Inexperienced Boat Drivers - As we said, inexperienced boat drivers will have a hard time controlling a water vehicle, especially considering the waves and winds.
Boat accidents are different from car accidents and proving personal injury claims can be difficult. A boating accident attorney can help you make your stand.