What to do if You are Involved in a Boating Accident in Louisiana

October 9, 2018 Accident

Louisiana law permits boat accident victims to pursue a claim for monetary damages following injury. Boating accidents are scary. In the moment it is difficult to know what to do or even how to respond. It is important to remember the steps to take after a boating accident to help save any lives, minimize injuries, and protect your legal rights.

The Louisiana boating accident lawyers at Mansfield, Melancon, Cranmer & Dick LLC can help you pursue a claim and advise you on how to protect yourself both medically and legally, immediately after a boating accident.

Assist Injured Passengers

 If you are involved in a boating accident and the boat is still afloat and you are aboard, then the first thing to do is to determine if anyone needs medical attention. If anyone has fallen overboard, assist the person back onto the boat, if possible. If the boat is falling apart or sinking, climb on floating debris or other rafts, if available, and signal for help. Your life jacket and that of any guests should be on and will help you float until help arrives.

Report Accident to US Coast Guard

 Next, if the boat is still operable, move it out of the path of oncoming watercraft. Contact the U.S. Coast Guard immediately and report the accident, the location of the accident, and if any medical assistance is required. Federal law requires that certain boating accidents be reported, like whenever someone is killed or damage to the watercraft equal or exceeds $2,000, for example. Do not leave the scene of the boating accident, like a car accident, you have a duty to report the accident and assist in its investigation, especially if someone is injured.

 GATHER INFORMATION

 There is certain information that you should gather at the accident scene. It is:

  • Name and contact information, including address, telephone number, and email address, of the boat operators involved in the boating accident;
  • Name and contact information of any passengers aboard your boat or the other boats involved in the crash;
  • Name and contact information of any eyewitness who may have witnesses the accident from ashore or other boats;
  • Registration number of the other boats involved in the boating accident;
  • Insurance information, name, address, and policy number, of all other boats involved in the accident;
  • If safe to do so, take photographs of the damage to the boat, location of the accident, and any other information you wish to record or make a record of.

Make an Insurance Claim

Report the accident to your insurance carrier if you owned or operated the watercraft involved in the accident.

Injured in a Boating Accident? Call Louisiana’s Boating Accident Lawyers

To find out how we can help you call our Louisiana boating accident lawyers at Mansfield, Melancon, Cranmer & Dick LLC at our New Orleans  888-601-0127, Baton Rouge  225-612-0800, or Lafayette  337-409-0003 offices. You can also request an appointment online. 

Louisiana law firm, Mansfield, Melancon, Cranmer & Dick LLC, represents victims of boating accidents. We also represent victims of auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, and nursing home or adult care facilities negligence. Request an appointment online to protect yourself following a boating accident.

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