Boating accidents are among the most common types of boating incidents. Although it’s unlikely that you will ever find yourself in this situation, proper preparation can help save your life if you do end up in a boat accident. If you ever get yourself in a boating accident, then here are the things that you need to do
1. Check If Everyone Is Okay
When you get into a boat accident, the first thing to do is check and see if anyone is hurt. If there are injuries, call 911 immediately while others will assist the injured, call for help, and check for other damage.
2. Call The Local Authorities
After checking for injuries and damage, the next step is to call the coast guard or police so they can come and help you. Keep them posted on what’s going on until they arrive. Tell them where you are and if there are any injuries or other problems. If you don’t have a mobile phone with you, then find someone who does.
3. If You Have A Mobile Phone With You Then Call Your Insurance Company
If you have a mobile phone, call your insurance company and tell them that you were involved in an accident. Ensure to get the necessary information from the boat owner or other people involved, including their names, emergency contacts, addresses of everyone involved, et cetera. Also, make sure to write down the phone number of all witnesses or anyone else involved in the accident.
4. If You Don't Have A Mobile Phone With You Then Ask Someone Who Has One To Help You Call For Help
If others on your boat don’t have mobile phones, but you do, then ask for their assistance in calling for help. If no one has a mobile phone with them, then go ashore and use a landline to call 911 or your insurance company.
5. Gather Information
After getting back to shore, gather as much information about the accident as possible. Get contact information of witnesses and anyone else involved. Take note of what they saw to happen, where it happened, how it happened etc…
6. Check Boat Damages
Make sure you check the boat for damage. If possible, turn off the engine, stop the fuel supply to prevent any fire hazard, switch on your navigation lights and make sure it’s safe to be out there.
7. Turn Off The Engine
When checking for damage, make sure your boat’s engine is turned off and that there is no fuel supply. Doing this will prevent any accidental fires from occurring from leaking fuel.
8. Make A Note Of What Happened To Avoid Confusion Later On
Takedown notes about what happened, how it happened, why it happened, etc… so there won’t be any confusion about who was at fault later on.
9. If The Accident Involved Another Person's Boat Then Ask Them For Their Insurance Information
If someone else’s boat caused the accident, then don’t move their boat until you have gotten their contact information along with yours. You will need to exchange this information to avoid confusion later on.
10. Take Pictures
If you have a camera with you, then take pictures of anything that can serve as evidence if something happens later. Make sure to take pictures of the damage, injuries, and anything else that you think can help explain what happened.
11. Seek Medical Attention If You Or Any Others Are Injured
Even if it doesn’t look like anyone is hurt, then still seek medical attention as a precautionary measure because the injuries might not surface until a few days later. Boat accidents can be disorienting and confusing, so make sure everyone is okay.
12. Start a Boating Accident Claim
After taking all the necessary steps to ensure everyone’s safety, start your boat accident claim by calling the right people. Get in touch with your insurance company and see what they can do about it. Have everything ready so you can give them as much information as possible about the incident. This will be helpful for you and your insurance company.
13. Contact A Boat Accident Attorney
If you aren’t satisfied with the outcome of the insurance claim, then contact a lawyer who specializes in boat accidents and injuries to give you advice on what else can be done about it since you might have legal rights that were breached and, if so, how you can go about filing for compensation.
14. Review Insurance Policy
Lastly, review your insurance policy to see what it covers in terms of accidents involving other boats or injuries that may occur in case you need to file a legal claim against the company.
What Is The First Action Required Of A Boat Operator Who Is Involved In A Boating Accident?
The first action that the operator needs is to stop the boat and check out for the people who are injured. The operator should also contact 911 or call for urgent medical help to save maximum people’s lives. This is important as the number of injured people, and the extent of injuries will be known.
The operator should take photos and record all the necessary information that may be required for evidence in case there is a future claim. If possible, he or she should also move away from the scene until other authorities reach out to them to avoid any further accidents or injuries.
Conclusion
Boating accidents can happen unexpectedly and without prior notice; however, there are several things that you can do if you ever find yourself in this situation. The important thing is to remain calm and take the proper action so that you will be able to increase your chances of survival and get things back on track after the accident has occurred.
By using these tips, you should be able to survive a boat accident with hopes of filing a successful claim later on. Always remember to be safe, take proper action, and always remain calm.
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