What to Do After a Boating Accident
A few steps after a boating accident protect your health and your claim — including evidence that vanishes quickly on the water. Here is a simple checklist.
Get medical care
Get help right away — care on the water can be delayed and injuries can worsen. See a doctor even if you feel okay, and keep the records.
Report the accident
Make sure the accident is reported as required and an official report is made — by the harbor patrol, sheriff, or a park or game and fish ranger. A boating accident report is generally required for serious accidents.
Record the vessel and operator
Note the vessel and its registration number, the operator, and the owner. Photograph the boats, the scene, and your injuries.
Get passengers and witnesses
Get names and numbers for any passengers and witnesses while everyone is still there — on the water they scatter fast.
Be careful what you sign or say
Be cautious about recorded statements or signing anything from an insurer before you have advice. A rental waiver does not always control.
The deadlines and rules depend on your state
The steps above apply wherever you were hurt. Filing deadlines, fault rules, and limits on damages differ by state — pick yours for what applies to boating accidents.
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This is general information, not legal advice. Every situation is different, and the law differs by state.