How to File a Boat Accident Claim

Boating can be exciting and fun, but if you are not careful it can quickly turn dangerous. Just like automobiles, boats must abide by strict safety rules to prevent injuries.

If you've suffered injuries in a boating accident, you could be eligible for compensation for medical expenses and property damage. Contact a New York St Pete Beach Boat Accident Lawyer accident lawyer to increase your chances of winning.

1. Gather Evidence

If you are involved in an accident while on a boat the first step is to collect evidence and contact an attorney. It is also important to seek medical attention as soon as possible for any injuries that may have occurred. Medical documents and other evidence are required to prove the claim for damages including future and current medical expenses, loss of income or earning potential, property damage and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

Photos and video footage can be used to preserve physical evidence from the scene of a boating accident. Eyewitness testimony is yet another important element of evidence, as it can give valuable information about the causes of a collision that would otherwise be omitted. You can also use police and incident reports to establish a timeline.

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

A reputable lawyer will handle all communication with insurance companies who are involved in a claim of a victim for compensation. An attorney can deter victims from revealing information that could be used against them in court. In addition, they can also assist victims to obtain fair settlement offers for their losses.

2. Report a crime

The first thing to do following a boating accident is to ensure everyone is secure. Then, you must contact local law enforcement agencies and make a report of the incident. In accordance with the state laws and regulations, you may have 48 hours to submit an official report in the event of death or serious injury that requires medical attention beyond basic first aid. Alternatively, you may have ten days to file a claim in the event that the accident causes more than $2,000 in damage or the boat is lost.

You should also remain at the scene of the accident to assist other boats or people if possible without endangering your own safety or the safety of the victims. This will help the law enforcement officer to record important details, such as what caused the accident and who was in the boat at the time of the crash and the reason for the crash.

Unfortunately, even well-trained and experienced boaters can be involved in accidents on the water due to someone else's negligence. An experienced attorney can pinpoint the person who was negligent in causing the damages you suffered, and assist you pursue compensation. Medical expenses, property damage and financial losses are all recoverable damages. A lawsuit against the responsible party could also result into monetary compensation for your discomfort and pain, loss of quality life, and emotional trauma caused by the accident.

3. Examine the damages

Once medical professionals have checked everyone's injuries and they are secured, it is important to look at the damage to the boat. Now is the time to start thinking about your insurance policy.

A surveyor will be assigned to your claim. They will come out to examine the damage caused by the accident. He or she will compare the damage with the ones originally reported by you and will then start figuring out the amount of damage that could be worth.

It is impossible to control every factor that can lead to a boating accident. However, if there was a defect by the manufacturer in the vessel it is possible to make a claim for product liability against the company who manufactured the roscoe boat accident lawyer.

In these instances it is vital to retain a lawyer that is familiar with handling boating claims as they can create an air-tight defense that proves that the manufacturer is responsible for the accident.

It is also important to keep in mind that various kinds of boats are covered in different ways by an insurance policy. For instance, homeowner's insurance, which covers home owners typically covers small boats with engines below 50 HP. The homeowner's insurance policy does not cover jet skis, larger vessels or airboats.

4. Contact an attorney

Notify your insurance company as soon as you feel secure and have seen an emergency room for any injuries. Even if there is no police report, you'll have to notify your insurance company. Be careful when providing information to insurance companies because they are likely to try to determine who is responsible for an accident. This can reduce the amount of compensation given. The NYC lawyers who handle boating accidents at Mirman Markovits & Landau work hard to disprove and limit these claims.

If you can, it is a good idea to gather information on the other boat owners or operators that were involved in the crash. Included in this data are their names, addresses and phone number and any insurance information. It is also beneficial to keep a copy of the accident report that has been filed.

Boat accidents can be scary and cause serious injury. They can cause significant medical expenses, lost wages, and even damages. The parties responsible for the injury must be held accountable for any harm that they cause. The at-fault parties and insurance companies are not likely to offer you the compensation you're entitled to It is essential to seek out an experienced New York injury attorney as in the earliest possible time. This allows you to concentrate on improving your situation and level the playing field.