What Should You Do After a Cruise Ship Accident?

Taking a cruise is a popular way for vacationers to enjoy an all-inclusive trip while traveling to a new destination. However, being injured while on a cruise ship can quickly turn a relaxing vacation into a stressful nightmare. If your injury was caused by a cruise ship accident that was the result of another party’s negligence, your next steps should be to contact a trusted personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options to help you pursue justice.

NK Law Group is a personal injury law firm dedicated to providing trusted legal counsel to clients who have been harmed in a cruise ship accident. Because a cruise ship accident may occur in open waters, you may wonder what legal options you have to pursue compensation for your losses. Our team of trusted lawyers will help you build a strong claim and protect your interests to get you the justice you deserve.

Steps to Take After You Are Hurt in a Cruise Ship Accident

After being injured in a cruise ship accident, it is important you know what to do to ensure the negligent party is held responsible for your losses. After consulting a personal injury lawyer, they can help guide you through the following steps to ensure the strength of your cruise ship accident claim. 

The most important steps to take after a cruise ship accident leaves you injured include the following:

Seek Medical Attention

While it may seem self-explanatory to get medical help following an injury, it is especially important when you are planning to file a personal injury claim following a cruise ship accident. Having proof of your injuries will help strengthen your claim and ensure that you are able to seek compensation for damages like medical expenses you have had to pay out-of-pocket.

Report the Cruise Ship Accident

An accident report ensures there is a record that the accident occurred and on what date. This report should trigger an internal investigation on the part of the cruise line. Additionally, the United States Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA)1 requires all cruise lines with ports in the United States to report criminal activity to the FBI. 

Gather Evidence

To ensure the strength of your case, take photos and videos of the accident scene and anything that is damaged. Additionally, take photographs and videos of your visible injuries and save any tangible evidence.

Identify Witnesses

If there were witnesses to the accident that left you injured, take down their names and contact information. 

Ask Your Lawyer to Explain Forum Selection

Most cruises are designed to allow travelers to visit several places in one vacation. However, when you are hurt in a cruise ship accident, where do you bring your legal claim? When reviewing your case, your lawyer can help you check your ticket package for language called a “forum selection clause”. This clause limits the location where you can bring a legal claim. 

Locate Your Cruising Contract

When you signed up for the cruise, the cruise company would have sent you a terms and conditions contract. This document may contain several clauses important to your injury claim, like the forum selection language and details about what expenses related to your injury are reimbursable. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you understand how this contract could affect your case.

Contact a Cruise Ship Accident Lawyer for Help With Your Claim

Being injured in a cruise ship accident can occur when least expected. To pursue justice for your case, you have the legal right to retain compensation for your cruise ship accident by filing a personal injury claim with the help of a trusted lawyer. 

NK Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm helping clients harmed in cruise ship accidents. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers, contact us here or call (510) 519-9497.