How to Get a Fair Boat Accident Settlement

Consult an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as you can if someone close to your heart was injured in a boating accident. A skilled attorney can discover important evidence and insurance coverage which could lead to an all-inclusive settlement for your boat accident.

A number of states have changed their laws regarding contributory negligence, which may reduce your compensation in the event that you are a contributory factor in an accident. A personal injury lawyer will contest these claims to get you the highest amount of compensation.

Medical Treatment

In the event of a boating collision that results in severe injuries, medical bills can quickly become overwhelming. These expenses are typically covered in part by a victim's health insurance. The victim could be left with high coinsurance, deductibles, costs and lost wages because of a missed work. Additionally, non-economic damages may be applicable, such as suffering and pain or loss of enjoyment life.

An experienced lawyer can assist victims in obtaining the financial compensation they deserve. They will look over the facts of the case to determine who could be held liable for the accident. This can include subpoenaing witnesses and examining evidence to determine the cause of an accident.

It is crucial for injured victims to seek medical attention promptly following a boating crash. This ensures that any severe injuries are treated correctly and documented. Medical records can be used as evidence to support an insurance claim.

Injured victims should inform their insurer. This is especially the case in the event that they were the owner or operator of the vessel that was involved in the crash. The insurance company is likely to require information such as names, contact information and registration or identification numbers for all boat owners and eyewitnesses. The lawyer may also request documentation, including photos and visible damage.

Documentation

You may also be able to seek compensation for medical expenses and other losses in the event that you are involved in a boating accident. The money you receive could cover a wide range of expenses including doctor's appointments, physical therapy and X-rays, prescriptions, and loss of income due to inability to work.

It's a great idea capture images of the accident scene and any visible injuries. It's also an excellent idea to collect the contact details for witnesses and anyone on any of the vessels involved in the accident. Doing this can help in building your case if you have to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party for their negligence.

In a personal injury lawsuit, you must prove four things: that the defendant had the duty of care to you, that this duty was not fulfilled and that their breach resulted in your injury and damages and that these injuries and damages were a result of that incident. In a boating case you might be able to identify more than one defendant as responsible for the accident depending on the level of negligence they showed and their role in the incident.

It is important to get the most documentation you can following a boating accident but you shouldn't apologize or accept responsibility for the accident. This could jeopardize the investigation process and could affect your claim for compensation for injuries sustained in a boating accident.

Insurance Coverage

New Yorkers are used to boating and lawyers other water sports because of their accessibility to the Atlantic Ocean, numerous lakes and other bodies of water. However, this type of activity brings with it unique risks that need to be addressed. If you are injured in an accident on the water, you should consider working with a seasoned personal injury lawyer.

An attorney can help you determine the insurance coverage available in your particular situation. Most boat owners and operators carry liability insurance to cover injuries caused by their actions. If the other party does not have insurance or is underinsured you could be entitled to additional compensation.

Check your boat insurance policy to ensure it's current and provides coverage for your boat. These policies will usually include medical expenses, such as hospital bills, first aid treatment and other related expenses for instance, if you or someone else aboard is injured on your vessel. The policies also typically include a towing policy that covers work on site and towing expenses in the amount you choose in the event that your boat accidents is disabled while on the water.

Based on the policy physical damage coverage can be included in the policy agreed value loss settlement that pays you the full amount of the policy in total loss scenarios or the actual cash value coverage which pays for the current market value of your boat, minus depreciation. Some policies include pollution (spill) liability and pet insurance, as well as wreck removal insurance as well.

Legal Advice

After a boating accident you could face substantial damages due to severe injuries, property damage, and lost income. While you can't reverse what occurred, the law tries to compensate you by offering monetary compensation. This is why you should hire an knowledgeable Fort Lauderdale boat accident attorney to ensure you receive an honest settlement.

A boat accident case takes time to resolve. Our team will need to examine the scene of the accident, lawyers determine which safety rules were violated, how long those safety rules have been in place, who was accountable for their enforcement, and if alcohol was involved. If there were multiple boat operators to blame it will be essential to determine each's percentage of fault and determine a settlement.

While the most common cause of a boating accident is human error, mechanical issues can be the cause. This can include everything from electrical system failures to engine malfunctions propellers, rudders and rudders. If you're awarded settlement, and a mechanical failure was to blame our lawyers will help you determine if product liability claims should be part of your claim.

The serious injuries that result caused by a boat accident could result in serious financial problems, particularly in the event you are absent from work and require physical therapy or medical attention. Neck and back injuries along with brain injuries and internal damage are all common injuries.