How to File a Boat Accident Claim
Boating can be thrilling and enjoyable, but should you not be careful, it can quickly turn deadly. Boats must also abide by strict safety guidelines to avoid injuries.
If you’ve been injured in a boating accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation for medical expenses 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 while boating, the most important step is to gather evidence and speak with an attorney. You should seek medical attention immediately for any injuries. To support a claim, medical records 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 such as 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 reveals details about the accident that might otherwise be ignored. You could also rely on police reports and incident reports to establish a timeline.
A skilled lawyer can analyze the evidence and determine which parties might be accountable for victim’s injuries and related expenses. A successful negligence case for a boating accident usually involves multiple parties that are liable, including the boat accident lawyers‘s owner 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 claim for compensation of the victim. An attorney can impede victims from saying anything that could be used against their case in court. they can also help victims receive fair settlements for their losses.
2. File a Report
When a boating accident occurs the first thing to do is ensure that everyone is safe. You should then contact the local police and make a report. Depending on state laws and regulations, you may have up to 48 hours in which to file reports if the accident results in injury or death that requires medical treatment beyond basic first aid. Additionally, you may be given 10 days to file a report in the event that the accident causes more than $2,000 in damage or the boat accident attorney is lost.
You should also remain at the scene of the accident and assist other boats or people, if possible without endangering your own safety or that of the victims. This will enable the law enforcement officer note important information, such as how the accident happened, who was aboard at the time of crash and the reason for the crash.
Even experienced and well-trained boaters can get into accidents on the water due to someone else’s negligence. An experienced attorney can help you identify the negligent party who caused your damages and pursue compensation. Recoverable damages typically include your medical expenses, property damage and financial losses. A lawsuit against the party responsible could also result in financial compensation for your pain and boat accidents discomfort or loss of quality life, and emotional distress associated with the accident.
3. Examine the damages
After medical professionals have evaluated all the injuries sustained by everyone and determined that they are all in a safe area It is crucial that you take a close review of the damage to the boat. This is the time to start thinking about your insurance policy and what it will cover.
A surveyor will be assigned your claim and will visit to examine any damage that was caused by the accident. The surveyor will evaluate the information you initially provided to the damage and begin to calculate the value of the damages.
It is impossible to control every aspect that can cause a boat crash. 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.
In these cases you will require a lawyer with experience in boating claims. They can create an argument that can prove the manufacturer was responsible for the accident.
It is important to remember that different types are covered by different insurance policies. Homeowners insurance, for example, will usually only cover small boats with engines under 50 HP. Homeowner’s insurance will not cover jet skis, larger vessels or airboats.
4. Contact an attorney
Notify your insurance company immediately after you feel safe and have been to the doctor for any injuries. Even if you don’t have a police report, you’ll be required to notify your insurance company. Be cautious when supplying information to insurance companies because they are likely to try to assign blame for an accident. This could reduce the amount of compensation that you receive. The NYC lawyers for boating accidents at Mirman, Markovits & Landau will do their best to disprove these claims and limit the amount of blame given to you.
It is important to gather as much information as you can on the other boat owners or operators involved in the accident. Included in this data are their address, name, and phone number, as well as any insurance details. It is also helpful to have a copy of the boating accident report that has been filed.
Boat accidents can be terrifying and cause serious injuries. They can be a source of substantial medical expenses, lost earnings and damages. The responsible party must be held accountable for the harm they caused you. The at-fault parties as well as insurance companies will not offer you the compensation you deserve willingly It is essential to consult an experienced New York injury attorney as early as you can. This will help even the playing field and allow you to focus on getting well.