To learn if you do indeed have a maritime injury case, the first step is to get in touch with a maritime injury lawyer. In general, you and your maritime injury attorney will have to prove three things in order to recover in a personal injury case: that you suffered damages, that the defendant was negligent, and that the defendant’s negligence caused your damages. Even if you have a valid claim, though, your maritime injury attorney will have to investigate whether or not you would be able to collect on your claim. If the other party does not have insurance or other assets, then it may be that you have a valid claim but will not be able to collect on it.