A devastating boating accident in the Arthur Kill Channel left ten people injured, two critically, on August 13.
Witnesses said they heard a loud crash and turned to see the boat crashed against rocks, with people strewn about the deck. It was a hard hit, witnesses said, leading the boat to stop instantly. Several of the victims were knocked unconscious, and one had to be taken away by medevac helicopter. All eight people were hospitalized following the incident.
What Do I Do After a Boating Accident?
Boating is a hobby many enjoy, but any time you go on the water, you are putting yourself at risk. Things like drowning, injuries from underwater objects, propeller injuries and more can all result when things don’t go the way they should. If you are injured on a boat, you can be eligible for damages if you can probe that someone’s negligence led to your injury.
The majority of boating accidents occur when two boats collide, one boat hits another’s wake, a boat hits a wave or a boat strikes a submerged object or land. Depending on the type of accident you are involved in, there are several potential liable parties. If a driver’s actions lead to your injury, then it is possible that the driver was negligent. If some problem with the boat leads to your injury, it could be the driver’s fault, or the owner of the boat, the renter of the boat or the manufacturer.
To determine who is liable and what damages you may be entitled to, an attorney is your greatest ally. Attorneys have the resources and skills to fully investigate your claim and build a strong case on your behalf. Your attorney can:
- Examine evidence from the crash scene
- Gather any video footage that might exist of the crash
- Speak to witnesses who saw the accident
- Work with expert witnesses
- Conduct a reconstruction of the accident
- Look into your medical records
Your best shot at making yourself whole again is to discuss your case with an attorney.