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How to File a Boat Accident Claim

Boating is often fun and thrilling, but it can quickly turn deadly if you're not cautious. Boats must also adhere to strict safety regulations to prevent injuries.

If you have been injured in a boating accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses as well as for property damage. To increase your chances of winning get in touch with a professional New York boat accident attorney.

1. Gather Evidence

When someone experiences a boating accident, the most important step is to collect evidence and then contact an attorney. It is also essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible for any injuries that might have occurred. To support a claim medical records and other evidence is required. This includes future and current medical expenses in addition to loss of earnings or earning potential, property damage and other non-economic damages, like pain and boat accident suffering.

Video and photographs are helpful in preserving evidence from the scene of an accident. Eyewitness testimony is yet another important piece of evidence, as it can provide valuable details about the reason for an accident that could otherwise be overlooked. You can also use police and incident reports to establish a time line.

A skilled lawyer can analyze the evidence and determine who might be accountable for victim's injuries as well as the associated losses. A successful negligence claim in a boating accident typically involves multiple parties liable, including the boat's owner and the owner or manufacturer of the watercraft.

A reputable attorney can handle all communication between victims and insurance providers involved in the claim for compensation of the victim. A lawyer can help victims not to say anything that could be used against them in a court of law, and can also assist victims in obtaining fair settlement offers for damages.

2. File a Report

The first step following a boating accident is to ensure that everyone is safe. After that, you need to contact local law enforcement and fill out a report about the incident. Depending on state laws and regulations, you might be given 48 hours to submit a report if the accident resulted in injury or death which requires medical treatment above basic first aid. You may also have ten days if you are not able to locate the boat or if the incident results in more than $2,000 worth of damages.

You should also stay at the site of the accident to help other boats or people, if possible, without putting your own safety or the safety of the victims. This will permit the law enforcement officer to record important information like the manner in which the collision occurred and who was aboard at the time of the crash and the cause.

However, even the most well-trained and experienced boaters may be involved in accidents on the water because of the negligence of someone else. An experienced lawyer can identify the person who was negligent in causing your injuries, and assist you seek compensation. Damages that can be recovered typically include medical expenses, property damage, and financial losses. A lawsuit against the party responsible could also result into monetary compensation for your pain and discomfort and loss of quality of life, and emotional distress due to the incident.

3. Inspect the Damages

After medical professionals have evaluated all injuries and found that everyone is in a safe place, boat accident it is important to look at the damage to the boat. Now is the time to start thinking about your insurance policy.

A surveyor will be assigned to your claim and will visit to assess any damage caused by the accident. He or she will compare the initial report to the damage and then begin to calculate the value of the damages.

It is impossible to control every factor that could cause a boat accident. If there was a manufacturer defect on the boat itself it is possible to make a claim for product liability against the company that produced the boat.

In these instances, you need an attorney with experience in boating claims. They can help you build a strong case to prove that the manufacturer was responsible for the accident.

It is important to keep in mind that different types of boats are covered by insurance policies in different ways. For example homeowners insurance will generally only cover smaller boats with an engine which is less than 50 HP. This means that airboats, jet skis and larger vessels will not be covered by homeowner's insurance.

4. Contact an Attorney

Notify your insurance company when you feel secure and have been to an emergency room for any injuries. You'll likely need to notify them even there is no police report filed. Be cautious when providing information to insurance companies, since they often attempt to assign blame for an accident. This could reduce the amount of compensation that you receive. The NYC lawyers who handle boating accidents at Mirman, Markovits & Landau will fight hard to debunk these claims and reduce the amount of fault given to you.

If you're able to, it's a good idea to collect information about the other boat operators or owners involved in the accident. This includes their name, address along with their phone number and insurance information. It is also helpful to keep a copy of the accident report filed.

Boat accidents can be frightening and can cause serious injuries. They can result in significant medical bills along with lost wages and other damage. The responsible parties must be accountable for any harm they caused. The at-fault parties and insurance companies will not offer you the compensation you deserve willingly and it is therefore essential to speak with an experienced New York injury attorney as soon as you can. This will help level the playing field and allow you to concentrate on getting well.