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 regulations to prevent injuries.
If you’ve suffered injuries in an accident on the water, you may be eligible for compensation for medical expenses and 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 while on a boat, the most important step is to gather evidence and speak with an attorney. You should also seek medical attention as soon as you notice any injuries. To prove a claim, medical records and other evidence are needed. This includes future and current medical expenses as well as loss of earnings or earning potential, damage to property and non-economic losses such as pain and suffering.
Photos and video footage can help preserve evidence from the scene of a boating incident. Eyewitness testimony can be a valuable evidence piece as it provides details about the accident that might otherwise go unnoticed. Police and incident reports can be used to establish a timeline of what happened during the investigation.
A knowledgeable lawyer can review the evidence and determine which parties might be liable for a victim’s injuries as well as the associated expenses. A claim for negligence in a boating accident usually involves multiple parties, including the boat accident attorneys‘s operator boat Accident claim and the owner or manufacture of the watercraft.
A reputable attorney will handle all communication between the insurance company and the victim involved in the victim’s compensation claim. An attorney can impede victims from saying anything that could be used against them in court, and they can also help victims get fair settlements for their losses.
2. Report a crime
If a boating accident happens, the first thing you need to do is ensure that everyone involved is safe. You should then contact the police in your area and file a report. In accordance with the state laws and regulations, you may have 48 hours to submit an official report in the event of serious injury or death needing medical attention above first aid. You could also have ten days to file a report when the accident causes more than $2,000 in damage or the boat accident settlement is lost.
If possible, you should stay at the accident site to assist other boats or people without putting your safety or the safety of the victims in danger. This will help the law enforcement officer to note important details, such as how the accident happened, who was aboard at the time of the crash, and what it caused.
Unfortunately, even highly trained and experienced boaters could be involved in water-related accidents due to the negligence of another. A skilled attorney will assist you in identifying the responsible party responsible for your injuries and seek compensation. Damage to property, medical expenses and financial losses are all recoverable damages. A lawsuit against the responsible party could also result in monetary compensation for your discomfort and pain or loss of quality life, and emotional trauma associated with the incident.
3. Check for damage
Once medical professionals have checked the injuries of everyone and are in a safe location it is crucial to look at the damage to the boat. Now is the time to start thinking about your insurance policy.
A surveyor will be assigned to your claim. They will come out to assess the damage caused by the accident. The surveyor will evaluate the initial report with the damage and begin to calculate the value of the damages.
Most boat accidents are the result of a mix of causes which means it’s impossible to control all of them. If there was a defect on the boat accident compensation, you might be legally able to file a lawsuit for product liability against the company who produced the boat.
In these cases, it is essential to hire a lawyer who is familiar with handling boating claims because they can build an airtight case that proves that the manufacturer was responsible for the accident.
It is important to keep in mind that different types are covered by insurance policies differently. For example, homeowners insurance will typically only cover smaller boats with engines with less than 50 HP. Homeowner’s insurance does not cover jet skis, larger vessels, or airboats.
4. Contact an Attorney
Inform your insurance company whenever you feel secure and have been to an emergency room for any injuries. Even if there’s no police report, you’ll be required to notify your insurance company. Be careful when providing details to insurance companies, as they will often try to determine who is responsible for an accident. This can decrease the amount of compensation you receive. The NYC lawyer for boating accidents at Mirman, Markovits & Landau will fight hard to debunk these claims and limit the amount of blame assigned to you.
If you can then it’s a great idea to collect information about the other boat operators or owners involved in the accident. This includes their address, name along with their phone number and insurance details. It is also useful to keep a copy of the accident report that has been filed.
boat accident legal accidents can be a nightmare and may cause serious injury. They can result in massive medical expenses, loss of earnings and damages. The responsible party should be held accountable for the harm they caused you. The at-fault parties and insurance companies are not likely to provide you with the compensation you deserve willingly It is essential to speak with an experienced New York injury attorney as soon as you can. This will help level the playing field and allow you to focus on getting well.