How to File a Boat Accident Claim
Boating can be thrilling and fun, but if you are not careful it could turn deadly. Like cars, boats need to adhere to strict safety rules to prevent injuries.
If you've suffered injury in an accident on the water, then you could be eligible for compensation for medical expenses and property damage. To increase your chances of winning you should speak with a reputable New York
boat accident attorney.
1. Gather Evidence
The most important thing to do after an accident on a boat is to collect evidence and speak with a lawyer. It is also crucial to seek medical attention right away in the event of any injuries that could have occurred. Medical documents and other evidence are needed to prove claims for damages, including future and current medical expenses, loss of income or earning potential, property damage and non-economic damages like suffering and pain.
Videos and photos can be used to preserve physical evidence from the scene of a boating incident. Eyewitness testimony can be a valuable piece of evidence since it provides details about the collision that would otherwise go unnoticed. Police and incident reports can be used to establish a chronology of what transpired in the case.
A seasoned lawyer can scrutinize the evidence and determine who are responsible for victim's injuries and related expenses. A successful negligence claim for an accident involving a boat usually involves multiple liable parties which includes the boat's operator and the owner or manufacturer of the watercraft.
An experienced lawyer can handle all communication between insurance providers and victims involved in the claim for compensation of the victim. An attorney can deter victims from saying anything that could be used against them in court, and they can also help victims obtain fair settlement offers for their losses.
2. Report a crime
If a boating accident happens the first thing you should do is make sure that everyone involved is safe. After that, you need to contact local law enforcement and submit a formal report of the incident. Based on the state's laws and regulations, you may have up to 48 hours in which to file an official report if the incident results in death or injury that requires medical attention above basic first aid. In addition, you could have 10 days to file a report if the accident causes more than $2,000 in damages or if the boat is destroyed.
You should also remain at the site of the accident to assist other boats or individuals if possible without endangering your own safety or that of the victims. This will help the law enforcement officer note important details, like how the accident happened, who was aboard at the time of crash, and what it caused.
Even well-trained and experienced boaters may be involved in accidents on the water due to negligence of another. A knowledgeable lawyer can help you identify the responsible party responsible for your injuries and seek compensation. Property damage, medical expenses and financial losses are all recoverable damages. A lawsuit against the responsible party could also result into monetary compensation for your pain and discomfort or loss of quality life, and emotional trauma due to the incident.
3. Check for damage
After medical professionals have examined all injuries and are all in a safe area It is imperative that you take a thorough examine the damage to the
boat accident law firm. This is when you start considering your insurance policy and what it covers.
A surveyor will be assigned to your claim and will visit to inspect any damage caused by the accident. The surveyor will evaluate what you originally reported with the damage and start figuring out the value of the damage.
It is impossible to control every aspect that causes a
Boat Accident Law Firm accident. However, if there was a manufacturing defect in the vessel, it may be possible to bring a claim of product liability against the company who manufactured the boat.
In these instances it is vital 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 also important to keep in mind that various types of boats are covered in different ways by insurance policies. Insurance for homeowners, for instance typically covers small boats that have engines less than 50 HP. This means that jet skis, airboats, and larger vessels won't be covered by homeowner's insurance.
4. Contact an Attorney
As soon as you are safe and have seen an expert medical professional for injuries, be sure to inform your insurance company. You will likely need to notify them even in the absence of a police report filed. It is crucial to be careful with your information as the insurance companies often attempt to determine who is responsible for the accident. This can reduce the amount of compensation you receive. The NYC lawyers for boating accidents at Mirman Markovits & Landau work hard to disprove and limit these claims.
If you're able to to, it's a good idea to collect information about the other boat owners or operators who were involved in the crash. Included in this data are their name, address and phone number as well as any insurance details. It is also useful to keep a copy of the accident report filed.
Boat accidents can be a nightmare and can cause serious injuries. They can cause substantial medical expenses loss of wages, and other damage. The responsible parties must be held accountable for any harm they caused. You won't receive the compensation you deserve if you don't seek out an experienced New York injury lawyer as quickly as is possible. This allows you to concentrate on improving and leveling the playing fields.