How to File a Boat Accident Claim

Boating can be exciting and fun, but If you're not careful, it could turn dangerous. Boats must adhere to 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 as well as for property damage. To increase your chances of success seek out a skilled New York boat accident attorneys accident attorney.

1. Gather Evidence

The most important thing you can do following an accident on a boat is to collect evidence and get in touch with a lawyer. It is also crucial to seek medical treatment immediately in the event of any injuries that could have occurred. Medical records and other evidence is needed to prove a claim for damages such as current and future medical costs and loss of income or earning potential, property damage, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

Photos and video footage are helpful in preserving evidence from the scene of an accident. Eyewitness testimony can be a valuable evidence piece as it provides details about the accident that might otherwise be ignored. Police and incident reports can also be used to establish a chronology of what transpired during the investigation.

A lawyer with experience can review the evidence to determine which parties may be responsible for the victim's injuries or losses. A successful negligence case for a boating accident typically involves multiple liable parties including the boat operator and the manufacturer or owner of the watercraft.

A reputable lawyer is able to manage all communications with insurance companies who will be involved in a claim of a victim for compensation. A lawyer can assist victims avoid saying anything that can be used against them in a court of law, and also assist victims in obtaining fair settlement offers for damages.

2. Report a crime

The first step after a boating incident is to ensure everyone is secure. Then, you should contact the police at the scene and submit a police report. According to state laws and regulations, you could be given 48 hours to submit an incident report if the accident resulted in injury or death that requires medical attention beyond basic first aid. You could also get 10 days to file if in a position to not locate the boat or if the accident causes more than $2,000 worth of damage.

You should also stay at the site of the accident and assist other boats or people, if possible without endangering your own safety or that of the victims. This will allow the law enforcement officer to record important information like how the collision took place, who was onboard at the time of the crash, and what caused it.

Even experienced and well-trained boaters can get into accidents on the water because of someone else's negligence. An experienced attorney can pinpoint the negligent party accountable for your damages, and help you seek compensation. Recoverable damages typically include your medical expenses, property damage and financial losses. Moreover, filing an action against the responsible party could lead to monetary recovery for your pain and suffering, as well as loss of quality of life and other emotional distresses associated with the crash.

3. Check for damage

After medical professionals have examined everyone's injuries and they are in a safe place, it is important to look at the damage to the boat accident lawsuit. Now is the time to start thinking about your insurance policy.

A surveyor will be assigned your claim and will be sent out to inspect any damage caused by the accident. The surveyor will then compare what you originally reported with the damage and Boat Accident Claim begin calculating the value of the damage.

It is impossible to control every aspect that causes a boat accident. If there was a manufacturing defect in the vessel it is possible to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer of the boat accident lawyer.

In these instances it is crucial to have a lawyer who is familiar with handling boating claims as they can create an airtight case that proves that the manufacturer was responsible for the accident.

It is also important to note that various types of boats are governed differently by insurance policies. For instance homeowners insurance will usually 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

When you are secure and have been examined by a medical professional for injuries, make sure to inform your insurance company. It is likely that you will need to notify them even there is no police report filed. Be cautious when providing details to insurance companies, as they will often attempt to determine who is at fault for an accident. This could decrease the amount of compensation you receive. The NYC lawyers for boating accidents at Mirman Markovits & Landau work hard to debunk and limit these claims.

It is recommended to collect as the information you can about the other boat owners and operators involved in the incident. This includes their address, name along with their phone number and insurance details. It is also helpful to have a copy of the boating accident report that has been filed.

Boat accidents can be frightening and cause serious injury. They can cause substantial medical expenses as well as lost wages and other damages. The responsible party are accountable for the harm they have caused you. The at-fault parties and insurance companies won't give you the compensation you deserve willingly and it is therefore essential to seek out an experienced New York injury attorney as early as you can. This can help level the playing field and allow you to focus on getting well.