For many people, boats and alcohol just seem to go together. Downing a few beers or cocktails while out on the water might seem like a perfect way to enjoy the day, but the reality is that boating and drinking are a dangerous combination.
Boating under the influence (BUI) of alcohol and drugs is every bit as dangerous and illegal as driving under the influence (DUI). And it is not just alcohol and illegal drug consumption that can put boat operators and passengers in danger. People taking prescription medications can be adversely affected by outdoor boating conditions, such as the sun and wind, as well as the boat’s motion, vibrations, and engine noise, which can ultimately lead to impairment and potential accidents.
DUI Boating Can Cause Serious Injuries
Any Fort Myers DUI accident attorney knows that injuries from boating accidents can be very serious since boaters and their passengers lack the protection of seatbelts, airbags and steel structures that automobiles have. As a result, boating accident victims often face significant medical expenses, the inability to work for long periods of time, permanent disability and even death. That is why it is extremely important to take the right steps immediately after a boating DUI accident to preserve your rights.
Seek Immediate Medical Treatment
Even if you do not think you have been seriously injured, it is important that you seek medical care as soon as possible after the accident. Not only will seeking care give you peace of mind, it could protect you should you later find out that you experienced more trauma than you first thought. A medical exam will not only protect your health, it could also preserve crucial evidence should you decide to make a future claim for damages.
Take Photographs and Write Down What Happened
Take pictures of the accident, preferably before any boats are moved. If anyone suffers visible injuries, take photos of them as well. Write down what happened, when it happened, and the names and contact information of any witnesses. This timely evidence gathering can prove crucial in reconstructing the facts surrounding the accident and injuries.
Make Sure the Accident is Properly Reported to the Authorities
In Florida, serious boating accidents—cases where a person disappears or dies, where someone is injured and requires medical attention beyond simple first aid, and/or where a vessel incurs damages exceeding $2,000—must be reported to the authorities as soon as possible. If necessary, call the county sheriff, the city police department or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Division of Law Enforcement yourself. Be sure to also follow up and get a copy of the report.
Contact a Florida Board Certified Trial Attorney Who Specializes in DUI Boating Cases
If you or a loved one have been injured in a DUI boating accident, you want to make sure you contact an attorney who is experienced in personal injury and wrongful death cases involving DUI boating.
Our Fort Myers DUI accident attorney is a Board Certified Trial Attorney, which is the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one percent (1%) of Florida attorneys. For a free initial case review, contact us online or call 1-888-477-4839.
