How to File a Boat Accident Claim

Boating can be enjoyable and thrilling, but it can quickly turn deadly if you're not careful. Boats must also abide by strict safety regulations to avoid injuries.

If you have been injured in a boating accident you could be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses as well as for property damage. Contact a New York boat accident lawyer to increase your chances of winning.

1. Gather Evidence

If someone is involved in a boating accident the first step is to gather evidence and contact an attorney. You should seek medical treatment immediately for any injuries. To prove a claim, medical documents and other evidence are needed. This includes both future and present medical expenses in addition to loss of earnings or earning potential, damage to property and other non-economic damages, such as suffering and pain.

Photos and video footage are helpful in preserving evidence from the scene of an accident. Eyewitness testimony is another vital piece of evidence, as it can provide important information about the reason for the collision that may be overlooked. Police and incident reports can also be used to determine the timeline of what happened in the incident.

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

A reputable attorney will manage all communications between insurance companies and victims involved in the claim for compensation of the victim. A lawyer can stop victims from revealing information that could be used against them in court, and they can assist victims receive fair settlements for their losses.

2. Report a crime

In the event of a boating crash the first thing you need to do is make sure that everyone involved is secure. Then, you should contact the police in your area and file a formal report. Depending on the state laws and regulations, you may have 48 hours to make reports in the event of death or serious injury requiring medical treatment above basic first aid. You could also get 10 days to file a report if you are unable to find the boat or if the incident results in more than $2,000 worth of damage.

You should also be at the scene of the accident and assist other boats or people if you can, without putting at risk your safety or that of the victims. This will permit the law enforcement officer to take note of important details like the manner in which the accident occurred and who was aboard at the time of the crash and the reason for it.

However, even the most well-trained and experienced boaters may be involved in water-related accidents because of the negligence of someone else. A skilled attorney will help you identify the negligent party that caused your damages and pursue compensation. The types of damages that are recoverable include medical expenses, property damage, and financial losses. Moreover, filing an action against the responsible person could result in monetary recovery for your pain and suffering, loss of quality of life and other emotional traumas that are associated with the crash.

3. Check for damage

After medical professionals have assessed everyone's injuries, and they are all in a safe spot, it is important to take a closer review of the damage to the Port isabel boat accident attorney. This is the time to start thinking about your insurance policy and what it covers.

A surveyor will be assigned to your claim and come out to assess any damage caused by the accident. The surveyor will then compare what you originally reported to the damage and then begin to calculate the value of the damages.

Most leavenworth boat accident law firm accidents result from a combination of causes which means it's not always possible to control all of them. If there was a manufacturer defect on the boat itself it is possible to pursue a product liability claim against the manufacturer of the boat.

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

It is also important to keep in mind that various types of boats are governed differently by insurance policies. Homeowners insurance, for example typically covers small boats with engines less than 50 HP. This means that airboats, jet skis, and larger vessels won't be covered by homeowner's insurance.

4. Contact an attorney

Notify your insurance company when you feel safe and have visited a doctor for any injuries. You'll likely need to notify them even there is no police report filed. It is important to be careful with your information as the insurance companies will often attempt to determine who is at fault for the accident. This can decrease the amount of compensation that you receive. The NYC lawyer for boating accidents at Mirman, Markovits & Landau will work hard to disprove these claims and limit the amount of fault assigned to you.

If you're able to, it's a good idea to get information from the other boat owners or operators involved in the accident. This includes their address, name along with their phone number and insurance information. It is also helpful to have a copy of the report of a boating accident that has been filed.

Boat accidents can be frightening and may cause serious injury. They can cause substantial medical expenses as well as lost wages and other damages. The responsible parties should be accountable for any harm that they cause. You won't be able to receive the compensation you deserve if do not consult a seasoned New York injury lawyer as soon as you can. This will allow you to focus on getting better and level the playing field.