Whether you love fishing, cruising, adventure sports, or other water-based fun, you cannot beat the year-round beautiful boating weather in Miami. With no end to the season, the waterways of South Florida attract both residents and visitors. Despite being a responsible boat operator, it is still possible to be involved in an accident, considering the crowds, weather, and water conditions. In most cases, you should report to the Florida Division of Law Enforcement, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC).
However, sheriff’s offices in South Florida have robust, well-equipped water safety and rescue divisions. You can call 911 to get them mobilized, and the US Coast Guard is also an option. Once you report the incident, there are additional steps to take. The first is retaining a Miami boating accidents attorney, but you should also keep in mind the following To-Do’s.
Seek Medical Treatment: It is critical to get appropriate attention for injuries right away, even if you do not initially think you are hurt badly. The ER is for life-threatening trauma, such as excessive bleeding, loss of consciousness, or difficulty breathing. For injuries that are less serious, you may opt for an urgent care center or your primary care physician for same-day treatment. No matter where you decide to treat, visit a physician at minimum within two days.
Gather Information: You are obligated to exchange information with all operators involved in the boating accident, so have your driver’s license ready. Plus, you will need insurance details for when you eventually file a claim for your losses. Make sure to get these details from all boaters, not just the one you think is responsible for the crash.
Collect Evidence: Boating accidents are unique in that important evidence could be washed away or deteriorate quickly. Grab your cell phone to gather critical proof, such as:
· Damage to all vessels and dockage;
· Water and weather conditions;
· Aids to navigation and other signage present in the vicinity; and,
· Injuries to victims.
Get Legal Help: As soon as your injuries are stable, you should reach out to a boat crash attorney to consult about your rights. When the collision was caused by the other boater’s failure to drive safely, you may be able to recover for your losses. The process starts with filing an insurance claim, but you will have to sue in court if the insurer does not settle. Through these steps, you can obtain amounts for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact a Miami Boating Accidents Lawyer About Legal Options
If you can handle a few of these tasks, you can count on our team at Gerson & Schwartz, PA, to take care of the legal process. Our goal is to obtain fair compensation for your losses, so please contact us to learn how we can help. You can call (305) 371-6000 or visit our website to set up a no-cost case review. A Florida boating accident attorney can meet with you at our offices in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach, FL.