Take Appropriate Legal Action after a Sailboat Accident
In many parts of the country, boating accidents may not be of any concern, but in Utah, boating is a popular recreational activity. While this sport can be a lot of fun, there is also potential for risk. Not everyone on the water shares the same level of experience or expertise when it comes to boating, and, as a result, accidents are a fairly common occurrence. Boat accidents can cause severe property damage and serious personal injury. It is important to understand the risks of boating, and to know what actions should be taken in the event than an accident takes place. If you have been involved in a sailboating accident in the Salt Lake City, UT area, the attorneys at Younker Hyde and Macfarlane can help guide you through the aftermath of the incident.
Risks of Sailboat Accidents
Sailboats are not as fast as a typical powerboat, so many fail to see the risks of a sailboat accident. Sailboats rarely move faster than eight knots an hour, but still, an accident involving these watercraft can still be extremely damaging. First, sailboats are expensive to buy and maintain. Any damage that occurs to a sailboat during this type of boating accident is also likely to be extremely costly. Second, despite the lower speed at which a sailboat may be traveling, these accidents have a high risk of resulting in personal injury. Sailboats have numerous lines and there are many objects on deck; these can strike a person during an accident, cause them to trip or fall, and result in injury. Add to this the dangerous element of water, which carries the risk of drowning, and the overall risk of a sailboat accident is actually quite high. In fact, many sailboat accidents do result in some degree of personal injury for those involved.
What to Do after a Sailboat Accident
Sailboat accidents should be viewed in much the same way as a car accident. For someone who has been involved in a sailboat accident, it is important to gather as much information as possible so investigators can determine where the liability for the accident lies. The costs of property damages and personal injuries will add up, and it is important that the individual or party responsible for the accident also be held accountable for these damages. Below are some important steps that should be taken following a sailboat accident:
- Gather the names, addresses, and phone numbers of passengers of other involved watercraft, as well as those of any witnesses
- Collect registration and identification numbers of other involved vessels, as well as insurance information
- If possible, take pictures of the scene of the accident and damages to the boat
- Report the boating accident to your insurer and any other applicable parties
- Contact an attorney experienced in boating accidents and personal injury to discuss the details of your accident
Contact Us
The attorneys at Younker Hyde Macfarlane have worked countless boating accident cases and work alongside a number of experts in the field to ensure that our clients’ rights are protected in the aftermath of a sailboat accident. If you’d like to discuss the details of your case and learn your best course of legal action, contact our law firm at your earliest convenience.