How to File a Boat Accident Claim
Boating can be enjoyable and exciting, but it can quickly turn deadly if you're not careful. Just like cars, boats must follow strict safety guidelines to avoid injuries.
If you've been injured in a boating incident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses as well as for property damage. Contact a New York boat accident lawyer to increase your chances of winning.
1. Gather Evidence
When someone is involved in an accident while boating, the most important step is to collect evidence and then contact an attorney. Also, seek medical assistance immediately for any injuries. To prove a claim, medical records and other evidence is needed. This includes both future and present medical expenses as well as loss of earnings or earning potential, damage to property and non-economic losses like suffering and pain.
Videos and photos can be useful in preserving evidence from the scene of an accident. Eyewitness testimony can be a valuable piece of evidence as it provides details about the collision that would otherwise go unnoticed. Police and incident reports can be used to establish a time line of what happened in the case.
A lawyer who is knowledgeable can review the evidence to identify the parties that could 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's operator as well as the manufacturer or owner of the watercraft.
An experienced attorney is able to handle all communication between insurance providers and victims involved in the victim's compensation claim. A lawyer can assist victims to avoid saying anything that could be used against them in a court of law, and can also aid victims in obtaining fair settlements for damages.
2. Report a problem
The first thing to do after a boating incident is to ensure that everyone is safe. Then, you should call local law enforcement officials and complete a report on the incident. In accordance with the state laws and regulations you may only have 48 hours to submit an account in the event of serious injury or death requiring medical treatment above basic first aid. You could also be granted 10 days to file a report if you are in a position to not locate the boat or if the incident results in more than $2,000 worth of damage.
If you can, stay at the accident site to assist other boats or individuals without risking your safety or the safety of the victim in danger. This will help the law enforcement officer to note important details, like how the accident happened and who was on board at the time of crash and the reason for the crash.
Unfortunately, even well-trained and experienced boaters may be involved in accidents on the water because of the negligence of someone else. A knowledgeable attorney can assist you in identifying the negligent party who caused your damages and pursue compensation. Property damage, medical expenses and financial losses are all recoverable damages. Moreover, filing an action against the accountable person could result in monetary reimbursement for your pain and suffering, loss of quality of life and other emotional traumas that are associated with the crash.
3. Check for damage
After medical professionals have evaluated everyone's injuries and they are in a safe location, it is important to take a good look at the damage to the boat. This is the time to start looking at your insurance policy and what it covers.
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 to the damage and then begin to calculate the value of the damages.
Most
boat accident lawyers accidents are the result of a mix of factors which means it's impossible to control all of them. If there was a defect in the boat, you could be able to file a claim for product liability against the company that manufactured the boat.
In these instances it is imperative to have a lawyer who has experience handling boating cases as they can create an air-tight 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 is typically only cover smaller boats with an engine that is below 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 a doctor in case of any injuries. You will likely need to notify them even when no police report has been filed. Be careful when you give information to insurance companies, as they will often try to assign blame for an accident. This can limit the amount of compensation awarded. The NYC lawyer for boating accidents at Mirman Markovits & Landau work to prove and limit these claims.
It is a good thing to gather as all information you can on the other boat owners and operators involved in the accident. Included in this information is their name, address and telephone number as well as any insurance information. It is also helpful to have a copy of the boating accident report which is filed.
boat accident attorney accidents -
escortexxx.Ca, can be terrifying and can cause serious injuries. They can cause substantial medical expenses, lost wages, and even damages. The parties responsible must be accountable for any harm they may have caused. The at-fault parties as well as insurance companies will not provide the compensation you deserve, so it is important to consult an experienced New York injury attorney as in the earliest possible time. This will help to level the playing field and allow you to concentrate on healing.