A Rhode Island boating accident can turn a perfect day on Narragansett Bay into a nightmare in seconds.  One moment you're cruising past Jamestown or anchoring off Block Island and the next, you're injured on a boat, in pain and unsure what to do. Whether you were hurt by vessel operator negligence, a dangerous wake or a collision in Rhode Island waters, the steps you take in the hours and days after a boat injury can make or break your boating accident claim.  Here's what you need to know.

Quick Answer:  If you're injured in a Rhode Island boating accident, seek medical attention immediately, report the accident, preserve evidence, avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies and speak with an experienced Rhode Island boating accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Your health comes first.  Always. If you've suffered a boating injury, get medical attention right away; even if you think you're fine.  Adrenaline masks pain, and serious injuries like concussions, internal bleeding and spinal damage often don't show symptoms until hours or days later.

There's a legal reason, too.  If you're a passenger injured on a boat and you wait a week to see a doctor, the insurance company will argue your injuries weren't serious or weren't caused by the accident at all.  Prompt medical treatment creates a record connecting your boat injury to the incident.  That record is the foundation of any boating accident lawsuit.

Report the Rhode Island Boating Accident

Rhode Island law requires that boating accidents involving injury, death or significant property damage be reported to the Department of Environmental Management. Federal law may require reporting as well.  Don't skip this step because an official report creates a contemporaneous record of what happened, where it happened and who was involved.

Whether your vessel accident occurred off Newport, near Point Judith, in Wickford Harbor, or out by Watch Hill, get it reported.  Rhode Island boating accidents frequently occur on Narragansett Bay, in Newport Harbor, around Block Island and throughout the state's coastal waters.  If law enforcement or the Coast Guard responds to the scene, cooperate fully and get a copy of any report they generate.

Gather Evidence Before It Disappears

Evidence on the water vanishes fast.  Boats get repaired.  Witnesses scatter.  Memories fade.  If you're physically able or if a friend or family member can help start preserving evidence immediately:

• Photograph your injuries, the vessels involved, and the surrounding conditions
• Get names and contact information for every witness and passenger
• Note the weather, water conditions, and time of day
• Save your clothing and any damaged personal items
• Write down everything you remember while it's fresh

In a recreational boating accident, questions of boat owner liability and operator negligence often come down to details:  Was the boat driver drinking?  Was there a proper lookout?  Was the boat speeding through a no-wake zone?  The evidence you preserve now answers those questions later.

Be Careful Speaking With Insurance Companies

Shortly after a Rhode Island boat accident, expect a call from an insurance adjuster. They'll sound friendly.  They'll try to be your “friend” and they'll ask for a recorded statement.  They may even float a quick settlement offer or promise to "take care of everything."  Pause!

Be careful.  The adjuster works for the insurance company, not for you, and their job is to pay you as little as possible.  Innocent statements get twisted.  Early offers almost never reflect the true value of your boating injury claim, especially before you understand the full extent of your injuries, medical treatment and maritime rights.  Don't give a recorded statement or sign anything until you've spoken with a maritime lawyer.

Speak With a Rhode Island Boat Accident Lawyer

Boating accidents aren't car accidents.  Maritime law is a distinct body of federal law with its own rules, deadlines, defenses and procedures that may govern your claim.  A boating accident lawyer in Rhode Island who understands maritime law knows how to investigate these cases, deal with marine insurers and fight for full compensation.

If you've been injured on a boat anywhere in Rhode Island waters, talk to an experienced maritime lawyer and boating injury attorney as soon as possible.  The consultation costs nothing, and the call could be the difference between a denied claim and the recovery you deserve.

How Long Do I Have to File a Rhode Island Boating Accident Claim?

In many maritime injury cases, a three-year statute of limitations may apply.  However, shorter deadlines can control certain passenger vessel claims, government vessel claims and other maritime matters.  Sometimes, in order to preserve their claim, a person injured on or around the water may need to file a claim in what's called a Limitation of Liability action long before the statute of limitations.  Bottom line - because important deadlines can vary dramatically depending on the facts, injured boaters should consult a maritime attorney as soon as possible – the good ones offer a free consultation allowing you to understand your rights without committing to hire a lawyer.

Please Note:  This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship with Fulweiler llc.  Every Rhode Island boating accident is different and the laws that apply can vary significantly depending on the facts.  If you have been injured on a boat, consult with an experienced maritime attorney to understand your rights and options.

Fulweiler llc

East Coast Maritime Injury Lawyers

1-800-383-MAYDAY (6293)