How to File a Boat Accident Claim

Boating can be fun and exciting, but it can quickly become dangerous if not cautious. Just like automobiles, boats must abide by strict safety rules to avoid injuries.

If you've suffered injuries in an accident on the water, then you may 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 experiences a boating accident the first step is to gather evidence and contact an attorney. It is also important to seek medical attention right away for any injuries that may have occurred. Medical documents and other evidence are necessary to support claims for damages, like future and current medical costs, loss of income or earning potential, property damage, and other non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

Video and photographs are helpful in preserving evidence from the scene of an accident. Eyewitness testimony is an additional important evidence source, as it can give valuable information about the cause of a collision that might otherwise be omitted. You can also use police and incident reports to create the timeline.

A lawyer with expertise can review the evidence to determine which parties may be responsible for the victim's injury or losses. A boating accident negligence case typically involves multiple parties including the rock falls boat accident lawyer's driver as well as the manufacturer or owner of the watercraft.

A reputable attorney will manage all communications between insurance providers and victims involved in the claim for compensation of the victim. A lawyer can help victims avoid saying anything that can be used against them in the courts, and can also assist victims in obtaining fair settlements for damages.

2. File a report

If a boating accident happens the first thing you must do is ensure that everyone involved is safe. The next step is to contact the local police and file a report. Based on the state's laws and regulations, you might have up to 48 hours to file a report if the accident causes injury or death that requires medical attention beyond basic first aid. In addition, you could have 10 days to file a report when the accident causes more than $2,000 worth of damage or the boat is damaged.

It is also recommended that you remain at the site of the accident to assist other boats or people, if possible without endangering your own safety or that of the victims. This will allow the police officer to record important information such as how the collision occurred and who was aboard at the time of the collision and the reason for it.

Unfortunately, even highly trained and experienced boaters could be involved in water-related accidents due to someone else's negligence. A knowledgeable attorney can determine the responsible party for your damages, and help you pursue compensation. Damage to property, medical expenses and financial losses are all recoverable damages. A lawsuit against the party responsible could also result in monetary compensation for your pain and discomfort, loss of quality life, and emotional distress caused by the accident.

3. Examine the damage

After medical experts have examined all injuries and are all in a safe place, it is important that you take a thorough review of the damage to the boat. This is when you start considering your insurance policy and what it will cover.

A surveyor will be assigned to your claim and will come out to assess the damage caused by the accident. They will compare what you initially reported to the damage and begin to determine the value of the damage.

It is impossible to control every element that can lead to a boating accident. If there was a manufacturing defect in the vessel, it may be possible to bring a claim of product liability against the manufacturer of the boat.

In these cases it is imperative to have a lawyer who has experience handling boating claims since they can construct an air-tight case that proves that the manufacturer was responsible for the accident.

It is also important to note that different types of boats are covered in different ways by an insurance policy. For example, homeowners insurance will typically only cover smaller boats that have an engine that is less than 50 HP. This means that airboats, jet skis and larger vessels will not be covered by homeowner's insurance.

4. Contact an attorney

Notify your insurance company immediately after you feel secure and have visited an emergency room for any injuries. Even if there is no police report, you'll still need to notify your insurance company. It is essential to be careful with your information as the insurance companies often try and determine who is responsible for the accident. This could decrease the amount of compensation you receive. The NYC lawyer for boating accidents at Mirman, Markovits & Landau will work hard to disprove these claims and reduce the amount of fault attributable to you.

It is important to gather as the information you can on the other palmdale boat accident lawyer owners or operators who were involved in the incident. This includes their name, address as well as their phone number and insurance details. It is also helpful to have a copy the boating accident report that is filed.

sonoma boat accident lawyer accidents can be scary and cause serious injuries. They can lead to significant medical bills loss of wages, and other damages. The responsible parties should be accountable for any harm they may have caused. You will not get the compensation you deserve if do not consult a seasoned New York injury lawyer as quickly as is possible. This will help even the playing field and allow you to focus on getting well.