How to File a Boat Accident Claim

Boating can be enjoyable and thrilling, but it can quickly become deadly if not cautious. Boats must also abide by strict safety rules to avoid injuries.

If you have been injured in a boating incident, you may 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

The most important thing you can do following a boating accident is to gather evidence and then contact an attorney. It is also important to seek medical assistance immediately for any injuries. Medical documents and other evidence are needed to support a claim for damages like future and current medical expenses and loss of income or earning potential, property damage and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

Video and photographs can be useful in preserving evidence from the scene of an accident. Eyewitness testimony is another vital evidence source, as it can provide crucial information about the causes of an accident that could otherwise be overlooked. Police and incident reports can also be used to establish a timeline of events that occurred during the investigation.

A lawyer who is knowledgeable can analyze the evidence to determine who is liable for the victim's injuries or losses. A successful negligence case for an accident involving a boat usually involves multiple parties liable, including the boat accident law firms's operator as well as the owner or manufacturer of the watercraft.

A reputable lawyer can handle all communication with insurance companies who will be involved in a victim's claim to compensation. A lawyer can assist victims to avoid saying anything that could be used against them in the courts, and can also aid victims in obtaining fair settlement offers for damages.

2. File a Report

The first thing to do after a boating incident is to ensure everyone is safe. You should then contact the police in your area and submit a police report. Depending on state laws and regulations, you could have 48 hours to file a report if the accident results in death or injury that requires medical treatment beyond basic first aid. Additionally, you may be given ten days to file a claim in the event of more than $2,000 in damages or if the boat gets lost.

You should also remain at the site of the accident and assist other boats or people if possible, without putting your own safety or that of the victims. This will help the law enforcement officer to note important information, such as what caused the accident and boat accident law firms who was on the boat at the time of crash, and what it caused.

Even experienced and well-trained boaters can be involved in accidents on the water due to negligence of another. A skilled attorney can identify the negligent party responsible for your injuries and help you pursue compensation. Property damage, medical expenses and financial losses are all recoverable damages. Additionally, bringing a lawsuit against the responsible party could result in monetary recovery for your pain and suffering, as well as loss of quality of life, and other emotional pains that can be associated with the crash.

3. Check for damage

After medical professionals have assessed all injuries and are all in a safe area, it is important that you take a close look at the damage that has been done to the boat. Now is the time to start thinking about your insurance policy.

A surveyor will be assigned to your claim and come out to assess any damage caused by the accident. The surveyor will then compare what you originally reported to the damage and begin calculating the value of the damage.

It is impossible to control every factor that causes a boat accident. However, if there was a manufacturing defect within the vessel itself it could be possible to file a product liability claim against the company that manufactured the Boat Accident Law Firms.

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

It is also important to remember that various kinds of boats are protected differently by an insurance policy. For instance, homeowner's insurance, which covers home owners typically covers small boats with engines under 50 HP. This means that airboats, jet skis, and larger vessels won't be covered by homeowner's insurance.

4. Contact an attorney

Inform your insurance company immediately after you feel safe and have seen an emergency room for any injuries. You'll likely need to notify them even in the absence of a police report filed. It is crucial to be cautious with your personal information because insurance companies are often trying to try and assign blame for the incident. This can decrease the amount of compensation you receive. The NYC lawyer for boating accidents at Mirman Markovits & Landau work to prove and limit these claims.

It is a good thing to collect as all information you can on the other boat owners or operators that were involved in the accident. This includes their name, address, boat accident law firms phone number and insurance details. It is also beneficial to have a copy the boating accident report that has been filed.

Boat accidents can be terrifying and can cause serious injuries. They can lead to significant medical expenses, lost wages, and even damages. The parties responsible for the injury must be accountable for any harm they caused. The at-fault parties and insurance companies will not give you the amount you are due It is essential to speak with an experienced New York injury attorney as early as you can. This will help to level the playing field and allow you to concentrate on healing.