What Happens If You're in a Boat Accident? If you've been on a boat, or experienced an accident on the water, you know that it can be a frightening experience. Most of these accidents can be avoidable if you follow the proper security procedures. If you or someone you love is injured during a boating accident, it is important to consult an attorney immediately. They can help you obtain compensation from the party responsible. Grounding It can be a very stressful experience to be involved in a boating accident. You may not know what transpired because there are a lot of things that could be wrong. A boat that is on the ground is among the most common accidents. This can be due to many reasons, such as not knowing where shallow water is, or failing to stay away from areas that have rocks and sandbars. A boat that is aground can cause significant damage to its hull. It could also result in passengers being trapped on the boat or in danger of falling overboard which is a highly hazardous situation. The Coast Guard estimates that groundings are the fourth most frequently occurring kind of marine accident. They say that even experienced boaters could run overboard, and it's vital to know what to do in the event that you're in this type of situation. There are many methods to lift your boat off the ground. First, you can reverse your boat and attempt to lift it off of the bottom. This is especially helpful in the event that your boat has an engine of a significant size that can lift the bow or the stern. An incredibly light and small anchor, referred to a kedge is another option. You can typically take this anchor out to the point where your boat is, using a PFD or flotation device as support for the anchor. Once the anchor is in place, you can then use it to pull your boat off of where it's grounded. This is usually faster than trying reverse your boat or dragging it away from the bottom. If you're unable reverse your boat or push it off the bottom, you may contact commercial towers. It costs an average of $150 per hour to call commercial towers. The Coast Guard recommends that boaters look over charts of the waters in which they are located, as well tide tables for the next highest tide, to avoid grounding. This could make a major difference in whether you have to ask for help. Falling Overboard One of the most hazardous aspects of a boating accident is slipping overboard. This is true especially in case you're not experienced with the water or you don't have a lifejacket. Carelessness, bad weather, and intoxication can all cause people to fall overboard. The most important thing you can do is to stay calm and avoid get anxious. This will help rescuers to find your location and return you on board the vessel. It's important to involve as many crew members involved in the recovery process as much as you can. This will ensure that everyone is aware of what to do and the equipment required. Do crew-overboard drills on your vessel at least once per year, or perhaps two times, if not more frequently. These drills will help you know how to respond quickly when situations arise. If someone falls into the water, the first to notice them should shout Man Overboard! and then broadcast the message to anyone within earshot even if the person not present at the time. This ensures that everyone on the vessel knows about the incident and is prepared to help in a rescue. Once the person who fell overboard has been located, they must be taken back to the boat as soon as possible with a swim platform or ladder, if one is available. If your boat doesn't have a swim platform or boarding ladder, a rope securing device can be used to pull the overboard victim from the water. While the overboard victim is being rescued, they must stay relaxed and calm to increase their chances of survival. This will prevent a common condition known as cold shock that can lead to an involuntary gasp or drowning. To avoid the victim becoming unconscious or falling under water, they should be kept in view at all at all times. This is especially important if you suspect that the victim may have been drinking alcohol, which can cause them to lose their balance and increase the risk of falling overboard. Once the victim of an overboard incident is afloat on the water, the helmsman needs to move the vessel quickly to the side where the incident occurred by making an elliptical or a Williamson turn. This will allow the crew to circle around and pick up the victim. This could take some time but it's essential to accelerate the process of locating and rescuing someone who has fallen overboard. Injury from a malfunctioning boat Engine Boats are a wonderful way to spend time on the water with family and friends however, they can also be risky. Boat accidents can be caused by many factors, including equipment failures or weather conditions, as well as human mistakes. A boat engine that is not working properly can cause injuries to passengers and others on the boat. If the engine emits harmful carbon monoxide gasses, it could cause harm to passengers or even kill them. It is vital that your boat is properly maintained. Broken bones are another common injury that occurs in boat accidents. Most of these injuries happen when a person falls overboard. They can break bones on the side of the boat, however, other injuries could be more serious and may be related to the head. Serious burns are a different type of injury that could occur during a boating accident. These burns can cause severe pain, scarring, and long-term disability. The burns may also affect the quality of life of the victim and impact their ability perform normal activities. Some sufferers are left with permanent scars, while others suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder after the injury to their burns. Recent boat explosions in Missouri have highlighted how dangerous an unmaintained vessel could be. The results of the explosion of a vessel can include severe burns, spinal injury and many other injuries. The majority of boating accidents could be avoided by taking proper safety precautions. Wearing life jackets is one of the most important safety measures. Another thing to do is ensure that everyone in the boat is securely seated before you start the engine. If you are on the water, it is an excellent idea to utilize an automatic shut-off switch for your engine. While these precautions are easy to follow, there are some circumstances where they could be missed. These include boating in adverse weather conditions or when a driver is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. These injuries can be prevented, but can still be painful and life-altering. If you've been injured in a boating accident it is recommended that you speak with an experienced attorney to find out more about your options. Contact Us If you or someone you know is injured in a boating accident and you are concerned about the injuries, make sure that all of your requirements are addressed as soon as you can. The injuries sustained in an accident on the water can be life-threatening, which is why it is essential to be on the shore and visit the doctor as soon as you can. It is important to seek medical attention as soon as you can, even if the injuries are not serious. This will prevent you from suffering further injuries in the future that could cause permanent disability or even death. Make a headcount and collect information No matter how you got involved in the boat accident It is crucial to know who was aboard at the time of the crash. This information will be useful in future insurance claims and civil suits. You should also request the names, contact numbers and ID cards of all other passengers who were on the ship. This information is valuable to prove damages and getting an award in court for medical expenses, lost wages and other expenses. Report the Accident Texas law stipulates that all accidents that result in death, injury or property damage exceeding $2,000 must be reported to authorities as soon as they can. This is vital to ensure that you can make a claim for compensation, which could be crucial should your case be denied by the at-fault party's insurance company. boat accident attorney florida is a good idea to take photos of the boating accident as well as the damaged vessel and any other factors you think might be relevant in your legal case. This will give you the chance to gather any relevant witness statements. If you aren't sure how to document the boat accident it is a good idea to speak with an attorney for personal injuries. They will be able to guide you through the process and assist with gathering evidence that can be crucial to your case. In addition to the physical injury caused by a boating accident, victims can also suffer mental trauma and emotional stress. This could lead to PTSD and other related issues. Contacting an Austin personal injury lawyer as soon as you can after the incident is a great idea to ensure that your legal rights are safeguarded and that all necessary evidence is gathered.
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