In just one recent year, 45 recreational boating accidents occurred in Kentucky, according to data from the U.S. Coast Guard. Popular recreation areas like Kentucky Lake, Lake Cumberland, Dale Hollow Lake, Lake Barkley, and Green River Lake all present potential hazards for boaters. It’s important to know what to do to protect yourself in the event of a boating accident in Kentucky.
I’ve Been in a Boating Accident. What Steps Should I Take?
Here are the first actions required after a boating accident to protect your safety and your legal rights.
Step 1: Seek Medical Attention if You’re Hurt
Prioritize your health and safety, and immediately call emergency services if you were involved in a boating accident, even if you don’t initially believe you suffered significant injuries. The adrenaline released during a traumatic event, like a boating accident, can often mask pain and symptoms of injuries. However, even minor discomfort can mask serious conditions. For example, internal bleeding might develop silently, whiplash injuries could worsen over days, or concussions may present delayed symptoms. Beyond impact-related trauma, you may develop respiratory complications from inhaled water or infections from exposure to waterborne contaminants. Securing a prompt medical examination can help identify and treat these and other injuries sustained in the boating accident.
Step 2: Contact the Police or Coast Guard
Call 911 or the Coast Guard right away to report the accident. Federal law requires a boating accident report in the event of an injury that requires medical treatment beyond first aid, property damage exceeding $2,000, complete loss of the vessel, or the death or disappearance of a person.
Step 3: Document the Accident
If you are physically able, photograph the accident scene, including all the vessels involved, any damage, and visible injuries. Gather as much evidence as possible from the scene of the accident. Collect contact and insurance information from the boat operators involved. Get contact details from any other witnesses to the boating accident. Note the weather conditions and water conditions at the time of the accident. Finally, write down relevant details about what happened while the information remains fresh in your mind.
Step 4: Seek Legal Advice
After a boating accident, depending on the severity of your injuries, you may face mounting medical bills, lost days at work, and other expenses for which you need compensation. An experienced boating accident attorney at the law firm of Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer can help you by investigating the accident, explaining your rights in the aftermath, and guiding you through your legal options. These may include filing an insurance claim or a boating accident lawsuit to seek maximum compensation for your losses.
Is a Boating Accident Attorney Necessary If I’ve Been in an Accident?
There’s no requirement that you retain a personal injury attorney after a boat accident caused by someone else’s negligence. However, an experienced personal injury lawyer can make the legal process after a boating accident much easier and support your recovery process. Our attorneys can preserve evidence, build a strong personal injury claim, and negotiate with the insurance companies to assertively seek full and fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other losses while you focus on healing.
The legal team at Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer is available 24/7 to discuss your boat accident claim. Call us or fill out our online form to connect with us and arrange a free consultation with an experienced attorney to learn more about how we can fight for the justice and compensation you deserve after a boating accident in Kentucky.
