Florida is known as the boating capital of the U.S. There are many popular boating hubs in the Sunshine State, including Miami, Florida Keys, Stuart, Sarasota, Fort Lauderdale, Crystal River, Palm Beach, Jupiter, Charlotte Harbor, and Tampa Bay.
Due to the high number of boaters in our state, it is no surprise that Florida also sees the highest number of boating injuries and fatalities in the U.S. Our Florida Boating Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton have seen all types of boat and watercraft accidents, including jet ski accidents, sail boat mishaps, ferry accidents, tourist boat incidents, yachting accidents, cruise ship injuries, and more. We have seen all types of serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord trauma, near-drowning injuries, and unfortunately death.
What Should You Do After a Boat Accident?
Your top priority is your safety and well-being, so make sure you and any other passengers get any medical attention that is need right away before doing any of the following:
- Self-evaluate and call for help. Are you bleeding? Can you walk or move your arms and legs? Self-assess your injuries and call 911 to let emergency responders know what type of situation you are in. When you call 911, ask them to send police to the boat accident scene so that they can file a report. Here is an important tip: once officers arrive, do not admit to any fault. You can tell them what happened, but admitting any fault could harm your potential claim for damages.
- Move the vessel to a safe place. If you can move the boat or watercraft safely from harm’s way, then do so.
- Document the scene through pictures. Take pictures of anything you can – your injuries, the damage to the boat, and damage to any other vessels. The more pictures you have, the more evidence you have in your possession that can support your claim.
- Talk to witnesses. If anyone saw what happened first hand, get their name and contact information so that they can be contacted in the future, if needed.
- Log how you are feeling for the next couple of weeks. It is necessary to keep a written or digital account of how you are feeling after the accident so that your pain and emotional distress are documented. Our memories fade over time, so having a log of this information you can revert to is very important when it comes to proving the damages you are trying to collect.
- Follow up with your primary care doctor. While you may think everything is just fine, after the adrenaline from the accident wears off, you may start to feel pain and discomfort. Your doctor can get you the medical care that you need if you are injured. It is also important to have medical records that support your injury claim.
- Contact our Florida Boat Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton. You can call us at 866-608-5529 or contact us online for a free consultation. It is best to speak with us as soon as possible after a boat accident, so that key evidence does not wash away. We can also make sure that you do not miss your chance to file a claim – in Florida, the statute of limitations on a personal injury and wrongful death claim is two years from the date of the injury/incident. Your attorney will need to investigate right away and make sure that all liable parties have been identified so that action can be taken against them.
What Are the Steps for Filing a Boat Accident Claim in Florida?
- Request a free legal consultation. Your first step is setting up an initial meeting where you will relay what happened in the accident and your attorney will provide you with feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of your potential claim.
- Investigate the accident. Once you hire your attorney, then they will launch an immediate investigation into your case. We can also work with experts to help prove your case.
- Negotiate a settlement. Your attorney will communicate with the insurance companies involved in your case on your behalf. We will request documents, handle any requests from the insurance companies, and attempt to negotiate a fair settlement. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, then we will take your case to trial to fight for the maximum financial compensation you deserve.
Our Florida Boat Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton Are Here to Help
If you or someone you love was injured or killed in a Florida boat crash, then we urge you to contact us as soon as possible at 866-608-5529 or contact us online for a free consultation. Having our team of personal injury lawyers on your side early on in your case could be critical in obtaining the best possible outcome.