How to File a Boat Accident Claim

Boating can be thrilling and enjoyable, but If you're not careful, it could turn deadly. Just like cars, boats must follow strict safety rules to prevent injuries.

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

1. Gather Evidence

The most important thing you can do following a boating accident is to gather evidence and then contact a lawyer. It is also essential to seek medical attention immediately for any injuries that may have occurred. Medical records and other evidence is required to prove claims for damages, such as future and present medical expenses, loss of income or earning potential, property damage and other non-economic damages such as suffering and pain.

Video and photographs can help preserve physical evidence from the scene of a boating accident. Eyewitness testimony can be a valuable piece of evidence as it reveals details about the accident that might otherwise remain unnoticed. Police and incident reports can also be used to establish a time line of what happened during the investigation.

A knowledgeable lawyer can review the evidence and determine which parties could be responsible for victim's injuries or expenses. A successful negligence claim for an accident on the water usually involves multiple parties that are liable, which includes the boat's operator and the manufacturer or owner of the watercraft.

A reputable lawyer can manage all communication with insurance companies who are involved in a victim's claim for compensation. A lawyer can stop victims from revealing information that could be used against them in court. In addition, they can also assist victims to get fair settlements for their losses.

2. Report a crime

The first thing you should do following a boating accident is to ensure everyone is safe. You should then contact the police in your area and file a report. Depending on state laws and regulations, you could have up to 48 hours to file an incident report if the accident results in death or injury which requires medical treatment above basic first aid. You could also get 10 days to file a claim if you're in a position to not locate the boat accident lawyer or if the incident results in more than $2,000 in damage.

If you are able, stay at the site of the accident to assist other boats or individuals without risking your own safety or that of the victim in danger. This will help the law enforcement officer to note important details, like how the accident occurred, who was aboard at the time of the crash, and what it caused.

Unfortunately, even highly trained and experienced boaters can get involved in water-related accidents because of someone else's negligence. An experienced lawyer can identify the responsible party for your injuries and help you pursue compensation. Damage to property, medical expenses and financial losses are all recoverable damages. Furthermore, filing a lawsuit against the responsible party could lead to monetary recovery for your pain and suffering, as well as loss of quality of life and other emotional distresses associated with the crash.

3. Examine the damages

After medical professionals have evaluated everyone's injuries and they are in a safe place, it is important to take a good look at the damage to the boat. This is the time to start looking at your insurance policy and what it will cover.

A surveyor will be assigned to your claim and will be sent out to inspect the damage caused by the accident. The surveyor will evaluate the initial report to the damage, and then begin to determine the value of the damage.

Most boat accidents are caused by a combination of causes, and it is impossible to control all of them. If there was a manufacturer defect in the vessel itself it is possible to file a product liability claim against the company that manufactured the boat.

In these situations it is imperative to have a lawyer who has experience in handling boating claims since they can construct an airtight case to prove that the manufacturer is responsible for the accident.

It is also important to remember that different types of boats are governed differently by an insurance policy. For instance homeowners insurance will generally only cover smaller boats that have an engine which is less than 50 HP. Homeowner's insurance will not cover jet skis, larger vessels, or airboats.

4. Contact an attorney

Once you're secured and have seen an expert medical professional for injuries, be sure to inform your insurance company. It is likely that you will need to notify them even if no police report is filed. Be careful when providing details to insurance companies, as they may try to assign blame for an accident. This can decrease the amount of compensation that you receive. The NYC lawyers for boating accidents at Mirman, Markovits & Landau will fight hard to debunk these claims and reduce the amount of fault given to you.

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

Boat accidents can be a nightmare and can result in serious injuries. They can cause substantial medical bills along with lost wages and shinhwaspodium.com other damage. The parties responsible must be held accountable for any harm that they cause. You won't get the amount you are due if you do not consult a seasoned New York injury lawyer as early as you can. This will allow you to concentrate on getting better and level the playing field.