Boating
Boat Accident Evidence Checklist: Share This With Your Attorney
By Captain Mitchell S. StollerLast reviewed October 28, 2026
At the scene or the same day
- Photos of both boats from every side, including damage close up and from a distance
- Photos of the scene: shoreline, markers, other boats, weather, and light
- Photos of injuries
- Names, phone numbers, and boat numbers of every operator and owner involved
- Names and phone numbers of every witness, on boats and on shore
- Video from your phone and anyone else's. Ask people to send copies now
- Names and badge numbers of responding officers, and any report number
- Your own written notes: time, location, speeds, directions, what was said
In the first week
- Save your phone's location history and screenshots of the track
- Keep all medical records, bills, and photos of injuries as they heal
- File any required state accident report on time and keep a copy
- Keep the rental agreement, waiver, receipts, and briefing materials (rentals)
- Keep the cruise ticket, onboard account statement, and cabin details (cruises)
- Do not repair, sell, or discard the boat, jet ski, life jackets, or gear
- Write down the names of anyone who called you about the accident, including insurers
Records to ask your attorney to request
- Law enforcement reports, notes, photos, and any toxicology results
- Video from marinas, docks, businesses, and homes along the shore
- The other boat's GPS, chartplotter, or engine data
- Rental company records: briefings, maintenance logs, prior incidents
- Cruise or passenger vessel records: video, keycard data, crew logs, the ship's track
- Coast Guard or NTSB records for commercial vessels
- Weather and water condition data for the date and time
Check with your attorney before
- Posting about the accident or your injuries online
- Giving a recorded statement to anyone
- Putting guesses about speeds, distances, or fault in writing
Questions to ask your attorney
- Which of these records should we request first, before they are deleted?
- Should the boats be inspected by an expert before repair?
- Is there anything on this list I should not do myself?
Related service: Boating and Jet Ski Accident Expert Witness
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Share this with your attorney
Attorneys: request a conflict checkAbout the author
Captain Mitchell S. Stoller is a Master Mariner Unlimited, former Exxon tanker master, and former Los Angeles Harbor pilot. About Captain Stoller
Captain Stoller is a maritime consultant, not an attorney. This article is general information about maritime operations and is not legal advice. His opinions in any case depend on the evidence in that case. Read the full disclaimer.