How to File a Boat Accident Claim

Boating can be thrilling and enjoyable, however should you not be careful, it could quickly turn deadly. Just like cars, boats must adhere to strict safety rules to prevent injuries.

If you've been injured in a boating accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills and property damage. Contact a New York boat accident lawyer to increase your odds of winning.

1. Gather Evidence

If you are involved in an accident while boating the first step is to collect evidence and contact an attorney. You should also seek medical attention as soon as you notice any injuries. To support a claim, medical records and other evidence are needed. This includes current and future medical expenses and loss of earnings, earning potential, damage to property and other non-economic damages, like pain and suffering.

Video and photos are valuable in preserving evidence from the scene of an accident. Eyewitness testimony is another vital piece of evidence, as it can give valuable information about the causes of an accident that could otherwise be omitted. Police and incident reports can be used to establish a timeline of what happened in the incident.

A knowledgeable lawyer will review the evidence and determine which parties could be responsible for victim's injuries and related losses. A boating accident negligence case typically involves multiple parties including the boat accident law firm [mouse click the up coming article] driver and the owner or manufacture of the watercraft.

A reputable attorney can manage all communications between insurance providers and victims involved in the victim's compensation claim. A lawyer can assist victims avoid saying anything that can be used against them in a court of law, and can also assist victims in obtaining fair settlement offers for damages.

2. Report a crime

When a boating incident occurs the first thing you need to do is ensure that everyone is secure. Then, you should contact local law enforcement agencies and fill out a report about the incident. Based on the state's laws and regulations, you could have up to 48 hours to file an incident report if the accident results in injury or death which requires medical treatment above basic first aid. You may also be able to file a report within ten days if you are in a position to not locate the boat or if the accident causes more than $2,000 in damage.

You should also be at the site of the accident to assist other boats or individuals when possible without endangering your own safety or that of the victims. This will enable the police officer to take note of important details like the manner in which the collision occurred, who was onboard at the time of the crash and the reason for it.

Even experienced and well-trained boaters can get into accidents on the water because of negligence of another. A knowledgeable attorney can determine the person who was negligent in causing your injuries, and assist you seek compensation. Property damage, medical expenses and financial losses are all recoverable damages. Additionally, bringing a lawsuit against the responsible party could result in monetary compensation for your pain, suffering, loss of quality of life and other emotional traumas that are associated with the crash.

3. Examine the damages

Once medical professionals have checked the injuries of everyone and are secured it is crucial to look at the damage to the boat. This is when you start thinking about your insurance policy and what it covers.

A surveyor will be assigned your claim and will be sent out to inspect any damage caused by the accident. He or she will evaluate the damage to the one originally reported by you and will then determine how much the damage could be worth.

Most boat accidents result from a combination of causes which means it's impossible to control all of them. If there was a defect by the manufacturer in the vessel itself, it may be possible to pursue a product liability claim against the company who manufactured the boat accident attorneys.

In these instances it is crucial to have a lawyer who has experience handling boating cases because they can build an air-tight defense that proves that the manufacturer was responsible for the accident.

It is important to keep in mind that different types are covered by different insurance policies. For instance homeowners insurance will generally only cover smaller boats that have an engine which is less than 50 HP. The homeowner's insurance policy does not cover jet skis, larger vessels or airboats.

4. Contact an Attorney

Once you're safe and have seen a medical professional regarding injuries, ensure that you inform your insurance company. You will likely need to do so even there is no police report filed. Be careful when you provide details to insurance companies, as they may attempt to blame someone else for an accident. This could reduce the amount of compensation you receive. The NYC lawyer for boating accidents at Mirman, Markovits & Landau will do their best to disprove these claims and limit the amount of fault given to you.

If you're able to then it's a great idea to collect information about the other boat owners or operators who were involved in the crash. Included in this information is their names, addresses and telephone number as well as any insurance information. It is also beneficial to have a copy the report of a boating accident which is filed.

Boat accidents can be a nightmare and cause serious injuries. They can be a source of significant medical costs, lost wages and damages. The responsible parties should be accountable for any harm that they cause. You will not get the amount you are due if you don't speak with an experienced New York injury lawyer as quickly as is possible. This will allow you to focus on gaining more and level the playing field.