Boating is a favorite summer pastime along the Gulf Coast. However, boating crashes are all too common and often have deadly results. 2019 was the deadliest year on the water in a decade.
For boating enthusiasts, it’s important to put safety first on the water. Wearing life jackets, boating sober, avoiding distractions, and paying attention to your surroundings can prevent crashes and save a life.
However, if you do get in a boat crash in Alabama or Mississippi, you should know what to do. In this blog, the Andy Citrin team outlines what to do after a boat crash.
Boating in Alabama Is Dangerous
2019 was one of the deadliest years in recent history for boaters in Alabama. By July alone, 25 people died in boating accidents, the highest death rate in over two decades. What’s most disturbing about this trend is that, according to officials, there is no “rhyme or reason” for the spike in crashes and fatalities. Crashes happen in daytime and night, on jet skis and boats, to people of all ages. Reckless boaters can even cause crashes with people on land when their poor decisions cause them to crash boats into the shore. We’ve even fought and won for boat crash victims who were injured by a boat while on land.
Despite the very different crash circumstances, the one common factor is people making poor decisions while driving the boat or watercraft. Boating while drunk, distracted, or letting kids drive the boat are all dangerous habits that cause many crashes and even death every year in our state. Even one death is too many. If you’re going to have fun in our rivers, lake, or coastline, drive sober, put your phone down, pay attention, don’t let kids drive.
Hurt in a Boating Accident? Here’s What to Do
After a boat crash, the first thing you should do is determine whether anyone aboard needs medical attention. If you or anyone else is in the water, make sure they have a flotation device or something buoyant to hang onto until they can get to safety. If you can, take down the names and contact info of everyone on board. They’re witnesses, so your lawyer will want to talk to them later. It’s also important to get the name, insurance, and contact information of the boat driver who hurt you.
After the immediate danger is over, we always recommend getting medical attention, even if you don’t feel hurt “that bad.” A doctor will be able to find hidden symptoms you’d otherwise miss, saving you time, money, and pain in the long run. And if you’re worried about paying for medical treatment, remember that you can include your medical bills in your insurance claim.
Finally, make sure you write down everything you can remember about the crash while the memory of the event is fresh in your mind. Take pictures of any injuries and the damaged property you may have, and show these to your lawyer.
RELATED: Karen’s Story: Sorting Through a Drunk Boater’s Stories and Demanding Justice
A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You Get Your Life Back on Track
Boating accidents are some of the most challenging to get justice for. Unlike auto accidents, the crash doesn’t leave evidence on the road that we can examine later. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a boating accident, it can be incredibly difficult to get what you deserve from the insurance company or from the negligent parties that caused the accident. If you find yourself in this position, it’s time to speak with a personal injury attorney who can help you understand your options and decide what to do next.
Experienced boat crash attorneys understand the law like no one else. Because they’re so skilled in this area, your attorney can help you uncover hidden accident causes, every available source of compensation, and ensure you get the best results possible. Fighting for justice after a crash isn’t an easy thing to do alone.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed after a boating accident that wasn’t your fault, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!
Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys Is Ready to Help You With Your Boat Accident Case
At Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, we have a track record of success in handling all types of boating accidents. If you have or someone you love has been hurt in a boating accident in Alabama or Mississippi waters, you deserve justice, and the person who hurt you should be held accountable for their negligent actions. To learn more about your options after a boating accident, schedule a free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys. We’ll meet with you individually to listen to your story, identify your options, and help you decide what to do next.
Simply call our office at 251-888-8888 or complete our brief online contact form to get started today.
References
Robinson, C. (2019, July 17). Alabama suffers 25 boating deaths in 2019, the deadliest year on state waters since 1998. AL.com. Retrieved from https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2019/07/alabama-suffers-25-boating-deaths-in-2019-the-deadliest-year-on-state-waters-since-1998.html
The content provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject.
Andy is the owner and CEO of Citrin Law Firm, P.C. He founded the firm in 1995 with the goal of helping injured people put their lives back together. His passion for protecting injured people has only grown since he opened the doors of Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys, and he has a history of winning numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients.