How to File a Boat Accident Claim

Boating can be thrilling and fun, but if you are not careful it could turn deadly. Like automobiles, boats must abide by strict safety guidelines to avoid injuries.

If you have been injured in a boating incident you could be entitled to compensation for medical bills and property damage. Contact a New York boat accident lawyer to increase your chances of winning.

1. Gather Evidence

If someone is involved in an accident on the water, the most important step is to gather evidence and speak with an attorney. It is also important to seek medical treatment immediately for any injuries. To prove a claim, medical documents and other evidence are needed. This includes future and current medical expenses and loss of earnings, earning potential, damage to property as well as non-economic damages like suffering and pain.

Photos and video footage are valuable in preserving evidence from the scene of an accident. Eyewitness testimony is an additional important element of evidence, as it can provide important information regarding the cause of an accident that could otherwise be overlooked. Police and incident reports can be used to determine the time line of what happened during the investigation.

A skilled lawyer can analyze the evidence and determine which parties could be responsible for victim's injuries as well as the associated losses. A successful negligence claim for a boating accident usually involves multiple liable parties, including the boat's operator as well as the manufacturer or glenolden boat accident lawyer owner of the watercraft.

A reputable lawyer will manage all communication with insurance providers who will be involved in a person's claim for compensation. An attorney can impede victims from revealing information 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

The first thing to do after a boating incident is to ensure that everyone is safe. You should then contact the police in your area and submit a police report. Based on the laws of your state and regulations you may only be given 48 hours to file a report in case of death or serious injury that requires medical treatment beyond basic first aid. Additionally, you may be given ten days to file a report in the event that the accident causes more than $2,000 of damage or the Elizabethtown Boat Accident Lawyer is damaged.

If you are able, be at the scene to assist other boats or individuals without placing your safety or that of the victims in jeopardy. This will help the law enforcement officer to note important details, like how the accident occurred and who was on board at the time of crash and what caused it.

Even experienced and well-trained boaters could be involved in an accident on the water because of someone else's negligence. A skilled attorney will help you identify the negligent party responsible for your injuries and seek compensation. Recoverable damages typically include your medical expenses, property damage and financial losses. A lawsuit against the responsible party may also result in monetary compensation for your pain and discomfort or loss of quality life, and emotional stress due to the incident.

3. Examine the damage

After medical professionals have evaluated the injuries of everyone and are in a safe location it is crucial to look at the damage to the boat. This is when you begin looking at your insurance policy and what it will cover.

A surveyor will be assigned to your claim and will be sent out to examine any damage that was caused by the accident. The surveyor will assess the damage to what was originally reported by you and will then determine the amount of damage that could be worth.

It is impossible to control every factor that can cause a boat crash. If there was a manufacturing defect on the boat itself it is possible to make a claim for product liability against the company that produced the boat.

In these instances it is vital to hire a lawyer who has experience handling boating claims because they are able to create an airtight case to prove that the manufacturer was accountable for the accident.

It is also important to remember that different types of boats are covered differently by an insurance policy. For instance, homeowner's insurance, which covers home owners typically only covers small boats with engines below 50 HP. This means that airboats, jet skis and larger vessels will not be covered by homeowner's insurance.

4. Contact an attorney

Inform your insurance company as soon as you feel secure and have seen the doctor for any injuries. Even if you don't have a police report, you will still have to inform your insurance company. It is essential to be careful with your information since insurance companies are often trying to attempt to assign blame for the accident. This can 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.

It is recommended to gather as many details as you can about the other boat owners and operators involved in the accident. This includes their address, name as well as their phone number and insurance details. It is also useful to keep a copy of the accident report that has been filed.

Boat accidents can be a nightmare and cause serious injuries. They can result in significant medical expenses, lost wages, and damage. The responsible parties must be held accountable for any harm they may have caused. You won't get the compensation you deserve if you do not consult a seasoned New York injury lawyer as early as you can. This will help level the playing field and allow you to focus on getting well.