When Should You Report a Boat Injury?
A maritime collision can cause serious injuries, equipment or property damage, and even death. What do you do after a boating injury? First, tell your boss about the incident. Then, get in touch with a boat injury law firm in Lafayette, such as Domengeaux Wright Roy & Edwards. Let us help you understand when, why, and how to file a report for a boating injury.
When & Why Should You Report the Incident?
Boating injuries can occur recreationally or while working on a maritime vessel. Potential boating injury causes while working on a maritime vessel include being struck by an object, falling overboard, or running into another ship or shoreline. If a vessel is damaged or a person suffers injury or death, a worker or coworker may make a report of what happened. A personal injury lawyer can provide advice on how to handle medical bills and insurance payments, as well as guide you through legal action if necessary.
A recreational boating injury can occur in a number of ways, such as falling on a slippery deck or being hit by a drunk boater. A victim of a boat injury should file a report and contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that they receive the legal and financial assistance necessary for recovery. Filing a report can also help ensure proper action is taken against the responsible party and prevent them from repeating their dangerous behavior.
According to Louisiana law, the person injured has the right to seek payment for their loss and damage. This should be done immediately following the collision. Or, you should report it no more than 48 hours later. If you wait for someone else involved to report it, it may be filed too late—if at all. After taking the first steps to report the incident, make sure to get a copy of the report. If you need to take legal action, having this copy as proof can be very helpful when filing your boating injury claim. Bring this file and any other details to our boat injury law firm in Lafayette to learn what to do next!
How to File a Report
After a boating collision, you will want to move as quickly as possible when it comes to your report. But, the stress of the situation can make it difficult to know what to do first. Follow these steps immediately following the incident:
- Get medical help. If you or anyone else is injured, start by calling emergency services. Or, get to a doctor as quickly as you can. This means those who are hurt may get the professional help they need. And, it can provide another professional record of what happened.
- Tell your boss. If your injuries occurred on the job, your employer should know as soon as possible that an injury has happened. As we stated earlier, don’t trust someone else to make the report. File a report with your employer so that your company has a record of all damages and injuries.
- Get evidence. Make sure to gather the names, addresses, and contact information of witnesses. These people can share personal accounts of what caused the collision, what injuries occurred, and how the situation was responded to. Images can also be helpful, like pictures of their identification. This evidence will be essential to help prove the careless operation of the vessel.
- Don’t talk about the incident. This may feel like a difficult step, but it is important not to speak to anyone about any details of the situation. This also applies to making posts on social media. If your case goes to court, anything you share could be used against you. Instead, get in touch with our boat injury law firm in Lafayette to determine which steps to take next.
Contact a Boat Injury Law Firm in Lafayette ASAP
After a boating injury, don’t face the stress of filing a claim alone. Contact a lawyer from Domengeaux Wright Roy & Edwards, a boat injury law firm in Lafayette you can trust. Our attorneys understand personal injury law. We can help fight for what you deserve. If you have been hurt because of someone else, reach out to us as soon as possible. We offer free consultations to learn more about your case. Send us a message through our website or call 337-291-HURT (4878).
