How to File a Boat Accident Claim Boating can be thrilling and fun, but if you are not careful it can quickly turn deadly. Just like cars, boats must adhere to strict safety guidelines to avoid injuries. If you've been injured as a result of a boating accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation for medical expenses as well as property damage. Contact a New York boat accident lawyer to increase your chances of winning. 1. Gather Evidence The most important thing you can do following an accident on a boat is to gather evidence and speak with a lawyer. It is also important to seek medical treatment immediately for any injuries that might have occurred. To support a claim medical documents and other evidence are required. This includes future and current medical expenses in addition to loss of earnings or earning potential, damage to property and non-economic losses such as suffering and pain. Video and photographs are useful in preserving evidence from the scene of an accident. Eyewitness testimony can be an invaluable piece of evidence since it reveals details about the collision that would otherwise go unnoticed. You could also rely on police reports and incident reports to create an outline of the timeframe. A lawyer with experience is able to review the evidence and identify the parties that could be responsible for the victim's injuries or losses. A lawsuit for negligence arising from a boating accident typically involves multiple parties including the boat's driver as well as the manufacturer or owner of the watercraft. https://vimeo.com/709748436 can handle all communication between insurance providers and victims involved in the claim for compensation of the victim. A lawyer can assist victims to avoid saying anything that could be used against them in the court of law, and can also help victims obtain fair settlements for damages. 2. Report a crime The first thing to do after a boating incident is to make sure everyone is safe. The next step is to contact the local police department and submit a police report. In accordance with state laws and regulations, you might have 48 hours to file an official report if the incident resulted in injury or death that requires medical treatment beyond basic first aid. In addition, you could have ten days to file a claim in the event of more than $2,000 in damage or the boat is lost. You should also stay at the site of the accident to help other boats or individuals if possible without endangering your safety or that of the victims. This will enable the police officer to take note of important details like the manner in which the accident happened, who was onboard at the time of the collision and the cause. Even well-trained and experienced boaters can be involved in accidents on the water because of negligence of another. A skilled attorney will help you identify the negligent party who caused the damage and seek compensation. Damage to property, medical expenses and financial losses are all recoverable damages. A lawsuit against the party responsible could also result in monetary compensation for your discomfort and pain as well as loss of quality of life, and emotional stress caused by the incident. 3. Examine the damage After medical professionals have evaluated all injuries and found that everyone is secured it is crucial to take a good 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 come out to examine any damage that was caused by the accident. The surveyor will assess the damage with the ones originally described by you. They will then start figuring out how much the damage could be worth. It is impossible to control every element that could cause a boat accident. If there was a manufacturing defect on the boat itself it is possible to file a product liability claim against the company that produced the boat. In these cases it is vital to hire a lawyer who has experience in handling boating claims because they are able to create an airtight 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 differently. For example homeowners insurance will generally only cover smaller boats that have an engine that is less than 50 HP. Insurance for homeowners does not cover jet skis, larger vessels, or airboats. 4. Contact an attorney Notify your insurance company as soon as you feel safe and have been to the doctor for any injuries. Even if there is no police report, you'll still need to notify your insurance company. Be cautious when you give information to insurance companies because they are likely to try to determine who is responsible for an accident. This could reduce the amount of compensation granted. The NYC lawyers who handle boating accidents at Mirman, Markovits & Landau will do their best to disprove these claims and limit the amount of fault assigned to you. If you're able, it is a good idea to gather information about the other boat operators or owners that were involved in the crash. This includes their name, address telephone number, and insurance details. It is also helpful to have a copy the accident report filed. Boat accidents can be scary and cause serious injury. They can lead to significant medical costs, lost wages and damages. Those who are responsible should be held accountable for the harm they have caused you. You won't receive the compensation you deserve if don't consult an experienced New York injury lawyer as soon as you can. This allows you to concentrate on getting better and level the playing fields.