How We Handle Boating Accidents
Boating is an activity that is immensely enjoyed by thousands of Americans and is extremely popular in Florida. However, most operators and passengers aren’t prepared to handle emergencies that may arise when they are out on the water, especially when it comes to boating accidents in Boca Raton, Florida. The lack of preparation when handling your boat, combined with bad weather conditions, is a recipe for disaster, as outright negligence and unsafe operating practices can rear their heads.
The consequences can be dire when involved in boating accidents, so it is always better to know how to handle them. The surviving passengers of boating accidents often wonder who will be held responsible for the accident when dealing with the financial, emotional, and medical challenges following a collision.
Boat operators and owners have a responsibility legally to ensure that their passengers and crew members are safe at all times. If they fail to provide them with the necessary level of safety, they are the ones who will be held liable for any loss of life, ensuing injuries, and loss of property. BP Injury law has been handling boating accidents in Boca Raton, Florida, for decades and has represented numerous people who have been involved in them.
How to Handle a Boating Accident?
Any boating accident can be a stressful and urgent situation, depending on the accident’s severity out on the open waters. Time is of the essence, and if several people are injured, it is pertinent for the boat operators to provide timely care to any injured passengers and crew members. A boating accident is defined by the United States Coast Guard as any situation where a boat passenger is seriously injured or dies in a collision with another boat on the water.
It can also be described for any accident where a boat passenger disappears, if any injury or death is suspected, or if the boat has suffered significant damage in a collision. Therefore, boating accidents in Boca Raton, Florida, aren’t solely related to collisions. They can also involve instances where people disappear mysteriously, are killed, or are injured while boating.
Several factors can be in play that can cause a boating accident, which includes the following:
- Operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
- Adverse weather conditions out on the water
- Inexperienced boat operators who can’t control the boat
- And more
We want to ensure that you are utterly safe out on the open waters when boating in Florida. Therefore, we will share how you can handle a boating accident or what you should do after being involved in one. That will prevent severe injuries, and you can get the timely treatment you need after any boating accident.
In the Aftermath of the Boating Accident
Boat operators are held responsible for any death or injuries of crew members or passengers immediately following a boating accident. Their negligence may cause a boating accident, which is similar to what occurs in a car accident or collision. When people show negligence, they fail to adhere to the proper standards of boating and don’t follow safety protocols and standard operating procedures.
All boat operators must follow all the proper rules to ensure that their passengers and crew members are safe at all times on the water. These may involve maintaining the boat in proper condition, observing all signs and directions on the water, not driving the boat while under the influence of drugs or intoxicated, and paying attention to the weather conditions.
The boat operator may be liable for criminal charges following a boat accident in Boca Raton, Florida if a passenger or crew member has been seriously injured, disappeared, or died. If you were the guilty party, the other boating party may also sue you for damages, medical expenses, and injuries and were found to be piloting the boat under the influence of alcohol or any drugs.
Filing an Accident Report
The United States Coast Guard has claimed that if any severe property damage or personal injury occurs following a boating accident, you must file an accident report with the relevant authorities. That will mean contacting local authorities and describing the accident scene and events leading up to the collision in detail. It will help if you have any witnesses present as well.
The accident report must be submitted as soon as possible to the US Coast Guard or other relevant authorities, which could even involve the local police. The accident report must be filed within 48 hours of the accident if a passenger or crew member has been severely injured, disappeared, or died. Contact BP Injury Law today if you want to learn more about how we handle boating accidents in Boca Raton, Florida.
