How to File a Boat Accident Claim

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

If you've suffered injury in a boating accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation for medical expenses as well as 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 on the water the first step is to gather evidence and then contact an attorney. It is also crucial to seek medical attention right away in the event of any injuries that could have occurred. To support a claim, medical records and other evidence are required. This includes future and current medical expenses in addition to loss of earnings or earning potential, damage to property and non-economic losses such as pain and suffering.

Photos and video footage are valuable in preserving physical evidence at the scene of an accident. Eyewitness testimony is an additional important element of evidence, since it can provide valuable details about the causes of an accident that could otherwise be overlooked. You can also utilize police and incident reports to create an outline of the timeframe.

A seasoned lawyer can scrutinize the evidence and determine who might be accountable for victim's injuries as well as the associated expenses. A boating accident negligence claim usually involves multiple parties, including the boat's operator and the manufacturer or owner of the watercraft.

A reputable lawyer will manage all communication with insurance companies that are involved in a victim's claim to compensation. A lawyer can help victims not say anything that could be used against them in the courts, and also assist victims in obtaining fair settlements for damages.

2. File a Report

When a boating incident occurs the first thing you should do is make sure that everyone involved is safe. You should then contact the police at the scene and make a report. Based on the laws of your state and regulations, you could only have 48 hours to make a report in case of death or serious injury requiring medical treatment above basic first aid. Alternatively, you may have 10 days to file a claim when the accident causes more than $2,000 worth of damage or the boat is damaged.

If you are able, remain at the scene of the accident to help other boats or people without risking your safety or boat accident lawyer the safety of the victims in danger. This will allow the law enforcement officer to record important information like how the accident occurred and who was aboard at the time of the collision and the cause.

Even well-trained and experienced boaters can get into accidents on the water due to negligence of another. An experienced attorney can pinpoint the responsible party for the damages you suffered, and assist you pursue compensation. Medical expenses, property damage and financial losses are all recoverable damages. A lawsuit against the party responsible could also result in monetary compensation for your pain and discomfort as well as loss of quality of life, and Boat Accident Lawsuit emotional stress due to the incident.

3. Check for damage

Once medical professionals have checked the injuries of everyone and are secured it is crucial to look at the damage to the boat. This is when you begin contemplating your insurance policy and what it will cover.

A surveyor will be assigned your claim and will visit to inspect any damage incurred by the accident. They will compare what you originally reported with the damage and start figuring out the value of the damage.

It is impossible to control every factor that can lead to a boating accident. However, if there was a manufacturer defect in the vessel itself, it may be possible to make a claim for product liability against the manufacturer of the boat.

In these cases it is crucial to have a lawyer who has experience handling boating cases because they are able to create an air-tight case that proves that the manufacturer was responsible for the accident.

It is important to keep in mind that different types of boats are covered by insurance policies differently. For instance, homeowner's insurance, which covers home owners typically only covers small boats with engines under 50 HP. Homeowner's insurance does 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, you must notify your insurance company. Even if you don't have a police report, you'll be required to notify your insurance company. You should be careful when you give information to insurance companies, since they often try to determine who is at fault for an accident. This could reduce the amount of compensation you are paid. The NYC boating accident attorneys at Mirman, Markovits & Landau will work hard to disprove these claims and reduce the amount of fault given to you.

It is important to collect as the information you can on the other boat owners or operators who were involved in the accident. This includes their address, name as well as their phone number and insurance details. It is also helpful to keep a copy of the accident report filed.

Boat accidents can be a nightmare and can cause serious injuries. They can lead to significant medical expenses, lost earnings and damages. Those who are responsible should be held accountable for the harm they caused you. You will not get the compensation you deserve if you don't speak with an experienced New York injury lawyer as soon as possible. This will help level the playing field and allow you to focus on healing.