How to File a Boat Accident Claim

Boating can be exciting and enjoyable, but should you not be careful, it can quickly turn dangerous. Like cars, boats need to adhere to strict safety rules to avoid injuries.

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

1. Gather Evidence

The most important thing to do after an accident on the water is to gather evidence and contact an attorney. You should also seek medical treatment immediately for any injuries. In order to support a claim medical records and other evidence is required. This includes future and current medical expenses and loss of earnings, earning potential, property damage and other non-economic damages, like suffering and pain.

Video and photographs can be useful in preserving physical evidence at the scene of an accident. Eyewitness testimony is another vital element of evidence, as it can provide valuable details about the cause of the collision that may be missed. You can also utilize police and incident reports to establish a time line.

A lawyer with expertise can analyze the evidence to identify the parties that could be responsible for the victim's injury or losses. A boating accident negligence case usually involves multiple parties, including the boat driver and the owner or manufacture of the watercraft.

A reputable lawyer can manage all communications with insurance companies that will be involved in a victim's claim for compensation. A lawyer can stop victims from saying anything that could be used against them in court. In addition, they can also assist victims to obtain fair settlement offers for their damages.

2. Report a crime

When a boating accident occurs the first thing to do is ensure that everyone is secure. After that, you need to contact local law enforcement officials and fill out a report about the incident. According to state laws and regulations, you could have 48 hours to file reports if the accident resulted in injury or death that requires medical treatment beyond basic first aid. You could also get 10 days to file if not able to locate the boat or if the accident causes more than $2,000 of damage.

If possible, you should stay at the site of the accident to assist other boats or individuals without putting your safety or that of the victims in jeopardy. This will enable police officers to take note of important details, such as how the accident occurred and who was on the boat at the time of the crash and what caused it.

However, even the most well-trained and experienced boaters could be involved in accidents on the water due to someone else's negligence. A knowledgeable lawyer can assist you in identifying the responsible party responsible for your damages and pursue compensation. Damages that can be recovered typically include medical expenses, property damage, and financial losses. A lawsuit against the responsible party may also result in monetary compensation for your pain and discomfort and loss of quality of life, and emotional trauma associated with the incident.

3. Inspect the Damages

Once medical professionals have checked everyone's injuries and they are in a safe location, it is important to look at the damage to the boat. You must now begin thinking about your insurance policy.

A surveyor will be assigned to your claim and will come out to inspect any damage incurred by the accident. The surveyor will then compare the damage with the ones originally described by you. They will then begin figuring out how much the damages might be worth.

Most boat accidents are the result of a mix of causes that are not always possible to control all of them. If there was a flaw in the boat, you may be able to file a claim for product liability against the company who created the boat.

In these instances you will require an attorney who has experience in boating claims. They can help you build a strong case to prove that the manufacturer was responsible for the accident.

It is important to keep in mind that different types are covered by different insurance policies. Homeowners insurance, for instance, will usually only cover small boats that have engines less than 50 HP. The homeowner's insurance policy does not cover jet skis, larger vessels or airboats.

4. Contact an attorney

As soon as you are safe and have seen an medical professional for injuries, ensure that you inform your insurance company. Even if there is no police report, you will have to notify your insurance company. It is crucial to be careful with your information since insurance companies frequently try and assign blame for the accident. This could decrease the amount of compensation that you receive. The NYC lawyers for boating accidents at Mirman, Markovits & Landau will work hard to disprove these claims and limit the amount of blame attributable to you.

It is important to collect as the information you can about the other boat owners or operators who were involved in the accident. Included in this information is their name, address and phone number and any insurance information. It is also helpful to have a copy the boating accident report that is filed.

Boat accidents can be a nightmare and Boat accidents can cause serious injuries. They can cause 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 don't consult an experienced New York injury lawyer as soon as you can. This will allow you to concentrate on getting better and level the playing fields.