So, you’ve been boating and had an accident. You’re now wondering what to do next? Well first of all – don’t panic. But seriously… if the injury is serious enough it’s important that you get medical attention as soon as possible so your recovery can be swift and successful.
What you must do if involved in a boating accident causing serious bodily injury?
The operator involved in a boating accident resulting in death, an injury must comply with certain requirements and may face criminal charges depending on the circumstances. Let’s have a look at what you should do:
1) Stop the boat immediately if someone has been hurt or if there has been an accident.
2) If you’re not in any danger yourself, it’s best to help anyone who needs assistance after a boating accident. It’s the right thing to do. Be careful not to do anything too risky.
3) Check to see if anyone else is injured. If the person injured needs to go to a hospital, call for a water ambulance immediately. If no one else is injured, look if anyone is still in the water or if anything needs to be salvaged from the water.
4) The law is clear. If you are involved in a boating accident that causes serious bodily injury to another person or damage to their property, you must collect their personal information (including name, address, and boat identification) right away; document what happened with photos and video footage as soon as possible; provide contact information so they can be contacted about anything related to the accident, and report to the proper authority (often the police) as soon as possible.
5) It’s also important to document everything that you can for your own benefit.
6) Failure to comply with these requirements may result in criminal charges.
Reporting procedure of a boating accident
If you are a vessel operator, it is your responsibility to report any boating accident that results in injury. You should make a verbal and written report. If it’s a serious injury, call your local law enforcement officer or DNR conservation warden.
The law requires that you file a written report within 10 days of the incident. So make sure to visit dndnr.wisconsin.govr.wi.gov and enter “boat crash” into the search bar for access to Operator Boating Incident Report Form.
The report, in case –
- Serious bodily injury
- Missing any person
- Loss of life
- Property damage (if more than 2000 USD)
What are the penalties for boating under the influence?
The penalties for boating under the influence can result in a fine of up to 2500 USD and/or a jail sentence of up to 12 months. However, it’s important to note that the penalties you could face will depend on your criminal record.
