Spending time on Ohio’s lakes and rivers can make those hot and humid summer days bearable, but it also comes with inherent risks. Common incidents include collisions, capsizing, falling overboard, mechanical failures, fire and explosions due to poor maintenance, and more.
If you’ve been injured in some type of water-related accident—boating, watersports, Jet Ski, kayak, paddleboard, etc.—you may be eligible for compensation.
Here are several steps you should take immediately after the accident:
Your health is the top priority. Get medical help even if your injuries seem minor, as some injuries take time to manifest, and may not be immediately apparent.
Keep detailed records of any medical treatments and/or expenses you receive. These records can be valuable should you choose to file a claim.
If the accident is serious, call 911 and local authorities.
Additionally, under Ohio law, if the accident involves injury, death, significant property damage, or loss of vessel, it must be reported to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Watercraft. To report an accident, call the ODNR at 1-877-4BOATER (1-877-426-2837).
Be sure to get a copy of any official accident report filed.
If at all possible, take photos or videos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to the boat. If there were any witnesses to the accident, take their statements, along with their contact information. Take the time to write down what happened while the details are still fresh in their mind.
Exchange names, contact details, and insurance information with all involved parties. If another boater was at fault, get their boat registration number.
Avoid making any statements that could be used against you later.
Ohio follows comparative negligence laws, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault. A lawyer can help determine liability and seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, physical limitations, property damage, and more.
You could be eligible for compensation if the defendant violated a state or federal safety regulation, and you can establish negligence. Keep in mind that in Ohio, you must file a personal injury claim within two years of the accident’s date.
Report the accident to your boat insurance provider, but avoid making detailed statements before consulting an attorney.
Personal injury lawsuits are always complex. Those involving boating accidents can be especially challenging, and are often hard to prove. You can maximize your chance for a successful outcome by hiring an attorney with the experience, staff, and resources to help you recover the largest settlement possible.
If you or a loved one are involved in a personal injury incident involving a boat, contact the attorneys at LaSalvia Law. We will fight to win you the compensation you deserve.
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