Boating Accident Attorney

Provide Assistance

The first step if you were in a boating accident is to make sure everyone involved is out of immediate danger. Try and keep all vehicles out of harm's way and contact the Coast Guard immediately.

Seek Medical Attention

Once the immediate danger has passed, administer first aid to anyone who was injured. You can also request additional medical assistance from the Coast Guard. We strongly advise seeing a doctor as soon as possible, even if you do not believe you were injured.

Gather Information

If it is safe to do so, you should gather information from the other boaters as well as any witnesses, such as contact and insurance information and the registration or identification of the other vessels. You may want to take photographs of the scene as well.

Report the Accident

Under federal law, you must file a boating accident report in several instances, including if someone is killed or seriously injured, there is property damage of $2,000 or more, the vessel is lost, or someone disappears.

Notify Insurance

If you owned or operated one of the vehicles involved in the accident, you should notify your insurer as you may need to make a claim for damages. However, you should not sign anything until an attorney reviews the documents.

Contact an Attorney

As soon as possible after a boating accident, you should schedule a free consultation at our practice. Mr. Harris can protect your best interests, negotiate with your insurance company, and determine the best course of action for you.

Start Your Recovery 

After being injured, the last thing you want to do is deal with the legalities. Mr. Harris handles these complexities so that you can focus on your recovery. 

Establish Fault 

Many boating accidents occur because others act negligently or recklessly. Lawyers work with accident reconstruction experts to determine the cause of the accident, establish fault, and ultimately help recover compensation from the responsible party. 

Recover Compensation 

While insurance companies will often try to get you to settle for a low amount, lawyers work with economists and other professionals to accurately calculate the full extent of your injuries, ensuring that you recover the maximum compensation possible. 

Was Negligence a Factor? 

If your injury was directly caused by the negligence or recklessness of another person, you may be eligible for damages. 

Were You Injured? 

If you suffered an injury that resulted in medical bills, loss of income, or permanent disability, you may have a case. Injuries are not limited to physical harm; they can also include pain and suffering caused by the accident.