7 Steps to Get the Boating Accident Compensation You Deserve

Jan 5, 2024 Reading time : 4 min

White Plains is home to over 39 registered recreational boat owners. If you’ve been involved in a boating accident in White Plains, it’s essential to understand what your next steps should be.

There are an estimated 10 million registered vessels in the US and over 16 million people who operate them.

Serious injuries or fatalities could result from boat accidents. A White Plains personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the legal process if you are involved in a boating accident.

Filing for Compensation in Fatal Boat Accident

Surviving parties can seek financial compensation for losses through a personal injury claim. However, this may lead to complicated legal proceedings and a different process than other personal injury claims.

Do Not Discuss the Accident with Anyone Investigating the Accident

As tempting as it may be, do not disclose any details about your accident or injuries to anyone other than an insurance professional authorized by your insurer.

This limitation applies to police officers, paramedics, lifeguards, first responders, etc., everyone except someone you have hired to represent you in a legal capacity (i.e., boat accident lawyer).

Remember that even if the party at fault promises not to report anything you said during their informal inquiry, they don’t have this sort of discretion and will end up sharing your statement regardless; you don’t want your words used against you later on.

Contact a White Plains Personal Injury Lawyer Immediately

An experienced boat accident lawyer will know how to guide you through the legal process while protecting you from potentially harmful or incriminating statements made during investigations or to insurance companies.

Once aboard your vessel, it’s crucial to seek assistance quickly to prevent your claim from becoming invalidated because of later actions.

Collect Evidence for Your Claim

If any other vessels are involved in the incident, make sure to get their contact information and take pictures of both vessels should they have sustained damages as well (if there were no damages, then this would be impossible, but if their vessel did sustain damages then use the opportunity here).

If this is not possible, ask witnesses to record anything that could help prove the other party was at fault.

Document Your Injuries and Treatment After an Accident by Keeping a Personal Medical Diary

This is one of the most critical steps in your claim since the court will use it to determine how much financial compensation you are entitled to receive.

You can start this process right after the accident before any painkillers are administered or treatment has begun. Include things like:

• The date and time of onset of symptoms

• How severe they were when they first began

• How long it took for them to dissipate overall

• Current state of symptoms (i.e., have they improved or worsened)

Keep track of expenses related to medical diagnosis, treatments, and prescriptions. Records can include transportation to and from the hospital or clinic, parking, co-pays, etc.

Report Your Accident to the Proper Authorities

After safely docking your boat, you should report it immediately (even if you don’t suspect any damages). You can either contact your local White Plains law enforcement or the department of natural resources.

The NTSB also recommends reporting accidents involving substantial property damage ($15,000) since they monitor all vessel incidents that meet this criterion.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately If Necessary

If there are any injuries involved in the accident, take necessary precautions by seeking medical attention even if the pain isn’t severe at first. It is crucial to diagnose the extent of your injuries and avoid them becoming worse with time.

It may be tempting to file a claim on your own without outside help. However, an experienced White Plains personal injury lawyer will be able to properly guide you through the entire process while protecting you from incriminating yourself or revealing too much information to your opposition.