How to File a Boat Accident Claim

Boating can be enjoyable and thrilling, but it can quickly turn deadly if not careful. Boats must also adhere to strict safety guidelines to avoid injuries.

If you've been injured as a result of an accident on the water, you may be eligible for compensation for medical expenses as well as property damage. To increase your chances of success get in touch with a professional New York boat accident attorney.

1. Gather Evidence

The most important thing you can do following an accident on a boat is to gather evidence and contact an attorney. It is also crucial to seek medical attention right away in the event of any injuries that could have occurred. Medical records and other evidence are necessary to support claims for damages, such as current and future medical costs in addition to loss of income earning potential, property damage, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

Photos and video footage can be useful in preserving physical evidence at the scene of an accident. Eyewitness testimony is yet another important element of evidence, since it can give valuable information about the causes of the collision that may be omitted. You could also rely on police reports and incident reports to create a timeline.

A lawyer who is experienced can review the evidence to identify the parties that could be accountable for the victim's injuries or losses. A claim for negligence in a boating accident usually involves multiple parties, including the driver of the boat and the manufacturer or owner of the watercraft.

A reputable lawyer can manage all communication with insurance companies that are involved in a claim of a victim for compensation. A lawyer can help victims to avoid saying anything that could be used against them in a court of law, and can aid victims in obtaining fair settlements for damages.

2. Report a crime

The first thing you should do after a boating incident is to ensure that everyone is safe. Then, you should call local law enforcement and Boat Accidents complete a report on the incident. Depending on state laws and regulations, you could be given 48 hours to submit reports if the accident resulted in injury or death that requires medical attention above basic first aid. You could also be granted 10 days to file if not able to locate the boat or if the accident results in more than $2,000 worth of damages.

If you are able, remain at the scene of the accident to help other boats or persons without putting your safety or the safety of the victims at risk. This will allow the law enforcement officer to record important information like the manner in which the accident occurred, who was onboard at the time of the collision, and what caused it.

Even well-trained and experienced boaters can be involved in accidents on the water due to negligence of another. An experienced attorney can assist you in identifying the negligent party who caused the damage and seek compensation. Damages that can be recovered typically include medical expenses, property damage and financial losses. Furthermore, filing an action against the responsible person could result in monetary reimbursement for your pain and suffering, as well as loss of quality of life, and other emotional issues that come along with the crash.

3. Examine the damages

After medical experts have examined all injuries and are all in a safe spot, it is important that you take a thorough examine the damage to the boat. Now is the time to start thinking about your insurance policy.

A surveyor will be assigned your claim and will come out to inspect any damage incurred by the accident. He or she will evaluate the damage to what was originally reported by you and will then start figuring out how much the damages might be worth.

Most boat accidents result from a combination of factors, and it is not always possible to control all of them. However, if there was a manufacturing defect within the vessel itself it is possible to file a product liability claim against the company that manufactured the boat.

In these situations it is vital to retain a lawyer that has experience handling boating cases because they can build an airtight case to prove that the manufacturer was responsible for the accident.

It is also important to keep in mind that various kinds of boats are covered differently by an insurance policy. Homeowners insurance, for example typically only covers small boats that have engines 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

When you are secure and have visited a medical professional for injuries, you must inform your insurance company. It is likely that you will need to do so even in the absence of a police report filed. It is essential to be cautious with your information as the insurance companies frequently attempt to determine who is responsible for the accident. This can reduce the amount of compensation you receive. The NYC lawyers for boating accidents at Mirman, Markovits & Landau will fight hard to debunk these claims and limit the amount of fault attributable to you.

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

Boat accidents can be terrifying and cause serious injuries. They can be a source of massive medical expenses, loss of earnings and damages. The parties responsible should be held accountable for the harm they caused you. You won't get the compensation you deserve if do not consult a seasoned New York injury lawyer as early as you can. This will allow you to focus on improving your situation and level the playing field.