How to File a Boat Accident Claim

Boating can be enjoyable and exciting, but it can quickly become dangerous if not cautious. Boats must also adhere to strict safety guidelines to avoid injuries.

If you've been injured in a boating accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and property damage. Contact a New York boat accident lawyer to increase your odds of winning.

1. Gather Evidence

If you are involved in an accident while on a boat accident law firm, the most important step is to collect evidence and get in touch with an attorney. Also, seek medical treatment immediately for any injuries. Medical records and other evidence is required to prove a claim for damages like future and current medical costs in addition to loss of income earning potential, property damage and other non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.

Videos and photos can help preserve evidence from the scene of a boating incident. Eyewitness testimony can be an invaluable piece of evidence since it gives details regarding the collision that would otherwise be ignored. Police and incident reports can also be used to determine the timeline of events that occurred in the incident.

A lawyer who is knowledgeable can scrutinize the evidence to determine who is responsible for the victim's injuries or losses. A boating accident negligence case typically involves multiple parties including the boat driver and the manufacturer or owner of the watercraft.

A reputable lawyer is able to handle all communication with insurance companies that are involved in a claim of a victim for compensation. A lawyer can help victims not to say anything that could be used against them in the court of law, and also help victims obtain fair settlements for damages.

2. File a report

The first thing to do following a boating accident is to ensure everyone is secure. Then, you should contact local law enforcement agencies and fill out a report about the incident. Depending on state laws and boat accident Lawyer regulations, you might be given 48 hours to submit an official report if the incident causes injury or death that requires medical attention beyond basic first aid. You may also have 10 days to file if unable to find the boat or if the incident causes more than $2,000 of damage.

You should also be at the scene of the accident and assist other boats or individuals when feasible without risking your own safety or the safety of the victims. This will enable the police officer to keep track of crucial details such as how the collision occurred and who was onboard at the time of the collision and what caused it.

However, even the most well-trained and experienced boaters can get involved in water-related accidents due to someone else's negligence. An experienced attorney can pinpoint the negligent party accountable for your injuries, and assist you pursue compensation. Damage to property, medical expenses and financial losses are all recoverable damages. In addition, an action against the responsible party could result in monetary compensation for your pain and suffering, as well as loss of quality of life and other emotional traumas that are associated with the crash.

3. Examine the damage

After medical professionals have examined the injuries of everyone and are in a safe area, it is important to take a good look at the damage to the boat. This is when you start thinking about your insurance policy and what it covers.

A surveyor will be assigned your claim and will be sent out to examine any damage that was caused by the accident. The surveyor will then compare the initial report to the damage and begin to calculate the value of the damages.

Most boat accidents result from a combination of factors, and it is impossible to control all of them. If there was a defect by the manufacturer in the vessel itself it might be possible to make a claim for product liability against the company who manufactured the boat.

In these cases it is vital to find a lawyer who has experience handling boating claims because they can build an air-tight case that proves that the manufacturer was accountable for the accident.

It is important to remember that different types of boats are covered by insurance policies in different ways. For example homeowners insurance will usually only cover smaller boats with an engine that is below 50 HP. Homeowner's insurance does not cover jet skis, larger vessels, or airboats.

4. Contact an Attorney

Once you're safe and have seen a medical professional for injuries, ensure that you inform your insurance company. Even if you don't have a police report, you will still need to notify your insurance company. It is important to be careful with your information since insurance companies are often trying to attempt to determine who is at fault for the accident. This could reduce the amount of compensation you receive. The NYC lawyers for boating accidents at Mirman, Markovits & Landau will do their best to disprove these claims and reduce the amount of fault given to you.

It is beneficial to gather as many details as you can about the other boat owners or operators involved in the accident. Included in this information is their address, name, and phone number, as well as any insurance information. It is also useful to keep a copy of the accident report that has been filed.

Boat accidents can be a nightmare and cause serious injury. They can result in significant medical expenses, lost wages and other damage. Anyone responsible for the injury must be held accountable for the harm they caused you. You won't receive the compensation you deserve if don't speak with an experienced New York injury lawyer as soon as possible. This allows you to concentrate on improving your situation and level the playing fields.