How to File a Boat Accident Claim

Boating can be thrilling and fun, but when you're not careful it could turn dangerous. Just like cars, boats need to adhere to strict safety guidelines to avoid injuries.

If you've been injured in a boating incident, Boat accidents you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses as well as for property damage. To increase your chances of success seek out a skilled New York boat accident attorney.

1. Gather Evidence

The most important thing to do following an accident with a boat is to gather evidence and speak with a lawyer. It is also important to seek medical attention immediately for any injuries that may have occurred. Medical records and other evidence are needed to support an action for damages like future and current medical costs and loss of income or earning potential, property damage, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

Videos and photos can help preserve evidence from the scene of a boating incident. Eyewitness testimony is an additional important piece of evidence, as it can provide important information about the causes of a collision that would otherwise be overlooked. Police and incident reports can be used to establish a timeline of events that occurred in the particular case.

A lawyer with experience can scrutinize the evidence to determine who is accountable for the victim's injuries or losses. A successful negligence claim 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.

An experienced lawyer can manage all communications between the insurance company and the victim involved in the victim's compensation claim. An attorney can deter victims from revealing information that could be used against them in court. In addition, they can also help victims receive fair settlements for their damages.

2. Report a crime

When a boating accident occurs the first thing you should do is ensure that everyone is safe. Then, you should contact local law enforcement and complete a report on the incident. In accordance with the state laws and regulations, you might only have 48 hours to file an official report in the event of serious injury or death requiring medical treatment above basic first aid. Additionally, you may be given ten days to file a report if the accident causes more than $2,000 of damage or the boat is damaged.

It is also recommended that you remain at the scene of the accident to help other boats or people if possible, without putting your own safety or the safety of the victims. This will enable the law enforcement officer to record crucial details, including what caused the accident and who was in the boat at the time of crash and the reason for the crash.

Even experienced and well-trained boaters could be involved in an accident on the water due to negligence of another. A skilled attorney can identify the person who was negligent in causing your damages, and help you pursue compensation. Damages that can be recovered typically include medical expenses, property damage and financial losses. A lawsuit against the responsible party could also result in monetary compensation for your discomfort and pain and loss of quality of life, and emotional distress associated with the accident.

3. Examine the damages

After medical professionals have evaluated the injuries of everyone, and they are all in a safe area, it is important to take a closer review of the damage to the boat. You should now start thinking about your insurance policy.

A surveyor will be assigned to your claim and will go out to assess the damage caused by the accident. He or she will compare the damage to what was originally reported by you and will then determine how much the damage could be worth.

Most boat accidents are caused by a combination of causes that are not always possible to control all of them. If there was a flaw in the boat accident law firm, you may be able to file a claim for product responsibility against the company that manufactured the boat.

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

It is also important to remember that different types of boats are covered in different ways by an insurance policy. For instance homeowners insurance is typically only cover smaller boats with an engine that is 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

Notify your insurance company immediately after you feel safe and have been to an emergency room for any injuries. Even if there's no police report, you will have to notify your insurance company. It is essential to be careful with your information as the insurance companies will often try and assign blame for the incident. This could reduce the amount of compensation paid. The NYC lawyers for boating accidents at Mirman Markovits & Landau work to prove and limit these claims.

It is important to collect as many details as you can about the other boat owners and operators involved in the incident. Included in this list are their address, name, and telephone number and any insurance details. It is also useful to have a copy the accident report filed.

Boat accidents can be a nightmare and boat accidents can result in serious injuries. They can lead to substantial medical expenses, lost wages, and damage. The responsible parties must be held accountable for any harm that they cause. The at-fault parties and insurance companies are not likely to provide the compensation you're entitled to It is essential to consult an experienced New York injury attorney as early as you can. This allows you to concentrate on improving your situation and level the playing fields.