How to File a Boat Accident Claim
Boating can be enjoyable and thrilling, but it could quickly turn deadly if not cautious. Boats must also abide by strict safety regulations to avoid injuries.
If you’ve been injured in a boating incident, you may be entitled to compensation for your 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 to do after an accident with a boat accident attorneys is to collect evidence and contact an attorney. It is also important to seek medical attention right away for any injuries that may have occurred. To support a claim, medical records and other evidence is needed. This includes future and current medical expenses in addition to loss of earnings or earning potential, damage to property as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
Video and photographs can help preserve evidence from the scene of a boating accident. Eyewitness testimony is yet another important piece of evidence, as it can give valuable information about the cause of the collision that may be omitted. Police and incident reports can be used to establish a timeline of what happened during the investigation.
A lawyer with experience is able to review the evidence and identify the parties that could be responsible for the victim’s injuries or losses. A successful negligence case for an accident on the water usually involves multiple parties liable, including the boat operator and the owner or manufacturer of the watercraft.
An experienced attorney is able to manage all communications between the insurance company and the victim involved in the victim’s compensation claim. A lawyer can assist victims to avoid saying anything that could be used against them in the court of law, and can assist victims in obtaining fair settlement offers 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. Then, you must contact local law enforcement and submit a formal report of the incident. Based on the state’s laws and regulations, you could have up to 48 hours in which to file an incident report if the accident causes injury or death that requires medical attention beyond basic first aid. You may also be able to file a report within 10 days to file if unable to find the boat or if the accident results in more than $2,000 in damage.
It is also recommended that you remain at the site of the accident to help other boats or people, if possible without endangering your safety or that of the victims. This will allow the law enforcement officer to record important details, such as how the accident happened and who was in the boat accident attorney at the time of crash and the reason for the crash.
Even experienced and well-trained boaters can be involved in accidents on the water because of negligence of another. A knowledgeable lawyer can help you identify the negligent party responsible for the damage and seek compensation. Damages that can be recovered typically include medical expenses, property damage, and financial losses. A lawsuit against the responsible party could also result in monetary compensation for your discomfort and pain and loss of quality of life, and emotional distress due to the incident.
3. Inspect the Damages
After medical professionals have evaluated all the injuries sustained by everyone and determined that they are all in a safe spot It is imperative that you take a close look at the damage that has been done to the boat. You should now start thinking about your insurance policy.
A surveyor will be assigned to your claim and come out to inspect any damage caused by the accident. The surveyor will then compare the initial report to the damage and begin to calculate the value of the damages.
It is impossible to control every single factor that could cause a boat accident. If there was a defect in the boat, you may be legally able to file a lawsuit for product liability against the manufacturer who produced the boat accident compensation.
In these situations you require a lawyer with experience in boating claims. They can help you build a strong case that proves the manufacturer is accountable for the accident.
It is important to remember that different types of boats are covered by insurance policies in different ways. Homeowners insurance, for instance generally only covers small boats with engines under 50 HP. Homeowner’s insurance will not cover jet skis, larger vessels, or airboats.
4. Contact an Attorney
Inform your insurance company when you feel secure and have been to a doctor for any injuries. Even if there is no police report, you’ll still have to inform your insurance company. Be cautious when providing information to insurance companies, as they will often attempt to determine who is at fault for an accident. This could reduce the amount of compensation that you receive. The NYC lawyers for boating accidents at Mirman Markovits & Landau work hard to debunk and limit these claims.
If you’re able to to, it’s a good idea to gather information about the other boat accident attorneys owners or operators that were involved in the crash. This includes their name, address along with their phone number and insurance details. It is also helpful to keep a copy of the accident report filed.
Boat accidents can be terrifying and may cause serious injuries. They can result in significant medical expenses loss of wages, Boat Accident lawyer and other damages. The responsible parties should be accountable for any harm they may have caused. You will not get the amount you are due if you don’t consult an experienced New York injury lawyer as soon as possible. This will allow you to focus on getting better and level the playing field.