How to File a Boat Accident Claim

Boating can be exciting and fun, but if you are not careful it could turn deadly. Just like cars, boats must adhere to strict safety rules to prevent injuries.

If you've been injured in an accident on the water, you may be eligible for compensation for medical expenses as well as property damage. To increase your chances of success get in touch with a professional New York boat accident attorney.

1. Gather Evidence

If you are involved in an accident while boating, the most important step is to gather evidence and contact an attorney. It is also important to seek medical assistance immediately for any injuries. To prove a claim, medical records and other evidence is required. This includes current and future medical expenses as well as loss of earnings or earning potential, damage to property as well as non-economic damages like suffering and pain.

Videos and photos can help preserve evidence from the scene of a boating incident. Eyewitness testimony can be an invaluable evidence piece as it reveals details about the collision that otherwise would remain unnoticed. Police and incident reports can also be used to determine the timeline of what happened in the particular case.

A seasoned lawyer can scrutinize the evidence and determine which parties are responsible for victim's injuries and related losses. A successful negligence case for an accident involving a boat usually involves multiple liable parties including the boat's operator as well as the owner or manufacturer of the watercraft.

An experienced attorney is able to manage all communications between insurance companies and victims involved in the claim for compensation of the victim. An attorney can prevent victims from revealing information that could be used against them in court. In addition, they can also assist victims to receive fair settlement offers for their damages.

2. Report a crime

When a boating accident occurs the first thing you need to do is ensure that everyone involved is safe. Then, you should contact local law enforcement agencies and fill out a report about the incident. Based on the laws of your state and regulations, you might only have 48 hours to file a report in case of serious injury or death that requires medical attention beyond basic first aid. Additionally, you may be given ten days to file a report if the accident causes more than $2,000 of damage or if the boat is destroyed.

You should also remain at the scene of the accident and assist other boats or individuals when you can, without putting at risk your own safety or the safety of the victims. This will enable the law enforcement officer to note important information, such as how the accident happened and who was on the boat at the time of the crash, and what it caused.

Even well-trained and experienced boaters can be involved in accidents on the water due to someone else's negligence. A skilled attorney can identify the responsible party for your injuries, and assist you seek compensation. The damages that are recoverable typically include medical expenses, property damage and financial losses. Moreover, filing an action against the accountable person could result in monetary recovery for your pain and suffering, loss of quality of life and other emotional pains that can be associated with the crash.

3. Examine the damages

After medical experts have examined all injuries and are all in a safe place, boat accident attorney it is important to take a closer review of the damage to the bend boat accident law firm. This is when you start looking at your insurance policy and what it will cover.

A surveyor will be assigned your claim and will visit to inspect any damage caused by the accident. The surveyor will then compare the damage with the ones originally recorded by you. He or she will then begin to figure out how much the damages might be worth.

Most boat accidents result from a combination of causes, and it is impossible to control all of them. If there was a defect in the boat, you might be eligible to file a claim for product responsibility against the company that made the boat.

In these situations you require an attorney with experience boating claims. They can build a strong case that proves the manufacturer was responsible for the accident.

It is also important to note that various kinds of boats are governed differently by insurance policies. Insurance for homeowners, for instance typically covers small boats with engines under 50 HP. This means that jet skis, airboats as well as larger vessels will not be covered by homeowner's insurance.

4. Contact an attorney

Once you're secure and have visited an medical professional for injuries, ensure that you inform your insurance company. You'll likely need to do so even there is no police report filed. It is important to be aware of your personal information because insurance companies frequently attempt to determine who is responsible for the accident. This could reduce the amount of compensation that you receive. The NYC boating accident attorneys at Mirman, Markovits & Landau will work hard to disprove these claims and limit the amount of blame assigned to you.

It is recommended to gather as the information you can on the other boat owners or operators that were involved in the accident. Included in this data are the names, addresses and phone number as well as any insurance information. It is also beneficial to have a copy of the boating accident report that has been filed.

Boat accidents can be a nightmare and cause serious injuries. They can lead to significant medical bills along with lost wages and other damages. The responsible parties should be held accountable for any harm that they cause. The at-fault parties and insurance companies won't give you the compensation you deserve Therefore, it is crucial to consult a seasoned New York injury attorney as soon as you can. This will allow you to focus on getting better and level the playing field.