Quick Legal Tips: What to Do If You Are Involved in a Boating Accident
At Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen, our boat accident attorneys in Las Vegas, NV have represented scores of individuals who were so shaken by their boat accident experiences they had no idea what to do next, who to contact, or how to get help. It’s a terrifying occurrence and thoughts of being stranded on the water can lead to a sense of confusion and panic.
Whether you are the boat’s captain, a passenger, or a witness to an accident that caused an injury, the steps you take after maybe some of the most important you choose all summer.
Popular Waterways Near Las Vegas, NV Bring Significant Boat Traffic
While Las Vegas, NV is known for much more than its waterway entertainment, the lakes and rivers near our city have developed an exciting reputation of their own.
According to the Nevada Department of Wildlife, one of our more famed waterways is Lake Mead, who plays host over seven million visitors each year. Unfortunately, its popularity also lends itself to boating dangers. Over the past decade, 275 people lost their lives at the 1.5 million-acre park east of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Of that number:
- 87 people drowned
- 13 were killed in boating accidents
- 38 motor vehicle crashes
- 137 of other causes, unrelated to accidents and including natural causes
Common Boat Accident Causes in Clark County, Nevada
The U.S. Coast Guard reported in their 2017 boating accident statistics, that the most common occurrences include:
- Carbon monoxide exposure
- Colliding with another vessel or object
- Electrocution from a stray current related to a vessel
- Falls in or overboard a vessel
- Fire or explosions from vessel equipment
- Grounding, capsizing, sinking, or flooding
- Injuries or casualties from a person departing an anchored or disabled vessel to make repairs
- Injuries or casualties from a person falling off an anchored vessel
- Injuries or casualties while swimming from a vessel that is not anchored, moored or docked
- A person struck by a vessel, its propeller, or other functioning machinery
- Persons ejected from a vessel
- Striking a submerged object
- Water-skiing or towable device accidents
What to Do If You Are Involved in a Boating Accident
Accidents occur on our waterways often and when they do, minutes of action or inaction can make the difference in the injured party’s condition and their future wellness.
If you are ever involved in a boating accident, follow these five tips:
Tip 1: Call for help right away!
Whether you are the boat’s operator or passenger, do not allow the negligent person or party who caused your accident to convince you to wait to get help. If you have your cellphone on board, call 911. They will put you in touch with the U.S. National Park Service who will dispatch the nearest Park Ranger or Conservation Office to your accident location.
Tip 2: Record the details of the accident.
If you are safe and able to record the names and contact information of the individuals or other watercraft involved in the accident, do so. Include additional contact information for witnesses, if any were at the scene at the time of the accident.
Tip 3: Use your cellphone to record the scene where the accident occurred.
If you can record the accident site with the video capability on your cellphone, do so. Take pictures of any damage to the boat and its causes where the video isn’t the best option. The more information you have from the accident scene, the better.
Tip 4: Seek medical care as soon as possible.
Accidents on the water are terrifying, and the adrenaline anyone in an accident experience can cloud their judgment. Do not assume you are okay. Do not assume your passengers are okay. Injuries after an accident are easily masked and should be thoroughly investigated by a physician so you are aware of the extent of your – or your passengers’ – injuries.
Tip 5: Call our boating accident attorneys at Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen.
Boating accidents are extremely complex, and the liability factors are not easily determined without the help of an attorney. Depending on the circumstances, the boat owner, owners’ or passengers’ insurance companies are going to immediately respond by rejecting fault and dismissing any claims against their clients.
Our experienced Las Vegas boat accident attorneys will not allow you to be intimidated by the negligent party that caused your accident, or their insurance and legal representatives. If you have been involved in a boating accident in any capacity in Clark County, Nevada, contact us right away.
Need Help After a Boating Accident? Contact the Attorneys at Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen Now
Time is of the essence after a boating accident in Las Vegas, NV and the dedicated personal injury attorneys at Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen can lead you through the legal process, so you can focus on your injuries by calling (702) 505-8115 now to schedule a free consultation.