How to File a Boat Accident Claim

Boating is often fun and thrilling, but it could quickly become deadly if not cautious. Boats must also abide by strict safety regulations to prevent injuries.

If you've suffered injury in an accident on the water, you could be eligible for compensation for medical expenses and property damage. Contact a New York boat accident lawyer to increase your odds of winning.

1. Gather Evidence

When someone is involved in a boating accident the first step is to collect evidence and contact an attorney. You should also seek medical treatment immediately for any injuries. In order to support a claim medical records and other evidence are needed. This includes current and future medical expenses and loss of earnings, earning potential, property damage as well as non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

Video and photographs can be used to preserve physical evidence from the scene of a boating incident. Eyewitness testimony can be a valuable piece of evidence as it can provide details about the collision that would otherwise be overlooked. Police and incident reports can be used to establish a time line of what happened in the incident.

A knowledgeable lawyer will review the evidence and determine which parties might be accountable for victim's injuries or expenses. A claim for negligence in a boating accident typically involves multiple parties including the driver of the north Augusta boat accident lawsuit and the owner or manufacture of the watercraft.

A reputable lawyer can handle all communication with insurance providers who will be involved in a claim of a victim for compensation. A lawyer can assist victims not say anything that could be used against them in the courts, and also help victims obtain fair settlement offers for damages.

2. Report a crime

The first thing to do after a boating incident is to make sure everyone is safe. The next step is to contact the local police and file a report. According to the laws of the state and regulations, you may have 48 hours to submit an official report in the event of serious injury or death that requires medical attention beyond basic first aid. In addition, you could have 10 days to file a claim if the accident causes more than $2,000 worth of damage or the boat is damaged.

It is also recommended that you remain at the scene of the accident and assist other boats or individuals if possible, without putting your 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 took place, who was onboard at the time of the crash and the reason for it.

Unfortunately, even highly trained and experienced boaters can get involved in accidents on the water because of someone else's negligence. A skilled attorney will assist you in identifying the negligent party that caused your damages and pursue compensation. Medical expenses, property damage and financial losses are all recoverable damages. A lawsuit against the responsible party could also result in financial compensation for your pain and discomfort and loss of quality of life, and emotional distress associated with the accident.

3. Examine the damages

After medical professionals have examined all injuries and found that everyone is secured, it is important to look at the damage to the boat. This is when you start contemplating your insurance policy and what it covers.

A surveyor will be assigned to your claim and will be sent out to inspect the damage caused by the accident. He or she will compare the initial report with the damage and begin calculating the value of the damage.

Most boat accidents are the result of a mix of factors and it's impossible to control all of them. If there was a manufacturer defect on the clayton boat accident attorney itself it could be possible to pursue a product liability claim against the company that manufactured the boat.

In these situations you will require an attorney with experience in boating claims. They can help you build an argument that can prove the manufacturer was responsible for the accident.

It is important to keep in mind that different types of boats are covered by insurance policies differently. For instance homeowners insurance is typically only cover smaller boats with engines with less than 50 HP. This means that jet skis, airboats, and larger vessels won't be covered by homeowner's insurance.

4. Contact an attorney

As soon as you are secured and have seen a medical professional regarding injuries, make sure to inform your insurance company. You will likely need to do so even when no police report has been filed. Be cautious when providing information to insurance companies, since they often try to determine who is responsible for an accident. This could reduce the amount of compensation paid. The NYC lawyers for boating accidents at Mirman, Markovits & Landau will fight hard to debunk these claims and limit the amount of fault that you are liable for.

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

Boat accidents can be terrifying and can cause serious injuries. They can cause substantial medical bills along with lost wages and other damages. Those who are responsible have to be held accountable for the harm they caused you. The at-fault parties and insurance companies won't offer you the compensation you're entitled to Therefore, it is crucial to consult a seasoned New York injury attorney as early as possible. This will allow you to focus on improving your situation and level the playing fields.