How to File a Boat Accident Claim Boating can be thrilling and enjoyable, however when you're not careful it can quickly turn deadly. Just like cars, boats need to adhere to strict safety rules to avoid injuries. If you have been injured in a boating accident you could be entitled to compensation for medical expenses and for 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 on a boat the first step is to gather evidence and get in touch with an attorney. It is also essential to seek medical attention right away for any injuries that might have occurred. To support a claim, medical records and other evidence are required. This includes current and future medical expenses, loss of earnings or earning potential, damage to property as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Videos and photos can help preserve evidence from the scene of a boating accident. Eyewitness testimony can be an invaluable piece of evidence since it gives details regarding the collision that would otherwise be overlooked. You can also utilize police and incident reports to establish a timeline. A lawyer who is experienced is able to review the evidence and determine which parties may be accountable for the victim's injuries or losses. A boating accident negligence case usually involves multiple parties, including the boat driver and the manufacturer or owner of the watercraft. An experienced attorney is able to manage all communications between the insurance company and the victim involved in the victim's compensation claim. A lawyer can help victims not to say anything that could be used against them in the court of law, and can help victims obtain fair settlement offers for damages. 2. File a report The first step following a boating accident is to ensure everyone is safe. Then, you must contact local law enforcement agencies and make a report of the incident. In accordance with the state laws and regulations, you might only have 48 hours to file an account in the event of serious injury or death that requires medical attention beyond basic first aid. You could also get 10 days to file a claim if you're in a position to not locate the boat or if the incident results in more than $2,000 of damage. If you can, remain at the scene of the accident to assist other boats or people, without risking your safety or that of the victims in jeopardy. This will help the law enforcement officer note crucial details, including what caused the accident and who was on board at the time of crash, and what it caused. Even experienced and well-trained boaters may be involved in accidents on the water due to someone else's negligence. A knowledgeable attorney can determine the person who was negligent in causing your injuries and help you pursue compensation. The types of damages that are recoverable include medical expenses, property damage, and financial losses. Additionally, bringing an action against the accountable person could result in monetary compensation for your pain, suffering, loss of quality of life and other emotional traumas that are associated with the crash. 3. Inspect the Damages After medical professionals have evaluated all injuries and ensured that everyone is secured It is essential to take a good look at the damage to the boat. 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 assess any damage caused by the accident. He or she will evaluate the damage to what was originally stated by you. They will then begin figuring out how much the damages might be worth. Most boat accidents are the result of a mix of causes, and it is not always possible to control all of them. If there was a defect by the manufacturer within the vessel itself, it may be possible to file a product liability claim against the company that manufactured the boat. In these situations it is crucial to retain a lawyer that has experience handling boating claims as they can create an air-tight case that proves that the manufacturer was responsible for the accident. It is also important to note that various types of boats are governed differently by insurance policies. For example homeowners insurance is typically only cover smaller boats with engines with less than 50 HP. This means that airboats, jet skis as well as larger vessels will not be covered by homeowner's insurance. 4. Contact an Attorney Notify your insurance company as soon as you feel safe and have been to an emergency room for any injuries. You'll likely need to do so even in the absence of a police report filed. Be careful when providing information to insurance companies since they often try to determine who is at fault for an accident. This could limit the amount of compensation awarded. The NYC boating accident lawyers at Mirman Markovits & Landau work hard to disprove and limit these claims. It is beneficial to collect as much information as you can on the other boat owners or operators who were involved in the accident. Included in this data are their name, address and phone number and any insurance details. It is also useful to have a copy the accident report that has been filed. Boat accidents can be scary and may cause serious injury. They can result in significant medical bills as well as lost wages and other damages. https://vimeo.com/709772822 are accountable for the harm they have caused you. The at-fault parties as well as insurance companies will not give you the compensation you're entitled to, so it is important to speak with an experienced New York injury attorney as early as you can. This will help even the playing field and allow you to concentrate on healing.