How to Get a Fair Boat Accident Settlement If you or someone close to you has been injured in a boat collision it is important to speak with a seasoned personal injury lawyer as quickly as you can. An experienced attorney can help you find critical evidence and insurance coverage that could lead to an all-inclusive settlement for your boat accident. A number of states have changed law on contributory negligence which can reduce your compensation if your share of the blame for an accident. An attorney for personal injury will challenge these claims to get the maximum amount of compensation. Medical Treatment If a boating accident results in severe injuries, medical bills can quickly become overwhelming. https://vimeo.com/709635983 of these bills is usually covered in part by the victim's health insurance. The victim could be faced with high coinsurance, deductibles, costs, and lost wages due to missing work. Additionally, non-economic damages could be considered, like pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life. An experienced lawyer can assist victims in getting the financial compensation that they are entitled to. They will look over the facts of the case and determine who is liable to be held accountable for the accident. This could include investigating the cause of the accident by subpoenaing evidence and examining key witnesses. It is vital for injured victims to seek medical attention right away following a boating accident. This ensures that any severe injuries are treated correctly and documented. Furthermore medical records can be used to back any claim for compensation. It is also important for injured victims to report the accident to their insurance company. This is especially the case if the victim owned or operated the vessel involved in the incident. Insurance companies will demand details such as names, contact numbers, registration or identification number of all boat owners and witnesses. In addition, the attorney will request documentation, including photographs of the scene and any visible damage. Documentation It's important to keep in mind that, just like in a car crash, you can seek compensation for medical bills and other losses after an accident with a boat. The money you receive may cover a wide range of expenses including doctor's appointments, physical therapy and X-rays, prescriptions, as well as lost income due to your inability to work. It's a great idea capture images of the accident scene as well as any visible injuries. It's also an excellent idea to gather the contact details of any witnesses as well as anyone else on the vessel involved in the accident. Doing this can help in building your case should you decide to bring a personal injury lawsuit against the person at fault for their negligent actions. In a personal injury case, there are four elements you must prove: that the defendant owed an obligation of care to you, that they violated this duty, that their breach resulted in your injury and damages, and that your injuries and damages resulted from this incident. In a boating accident case you may name multiple defendants responsible for your boating accident depending on their degree of negligence as well as the role they played in the incident. Never apologize or accept the blame for an accident. This could jeopardize the investigation process and could affect your claim for injury from a boating accident. Insurance Coverage With easy access to the Atlantic Ocean and numerous lakes it is commonplace for New Yorkers to take pleasure in water sports such as boating, fishing and more. However, this type of activity brings with it unique risks that need to be addressed. If you've been injured in a boating accident you should consult with an attorney for personal injuries. An attorney can help you determine the insurance coverage available to you. The majority of responsible boat owners and operators have liability insurance policies that pay for any damages caused by their actions. However when the other party is uninsured or underinsured, you could be eligible for additional compensation via an excess policy. It is also important to examine your own insurance policies for boats to make sure they are current and provide coverage for your specific boat. The policies typically cover medical expenses, including hospital bills, first aid treatments and other related expenses should you or anyone else aboard is injured on your boat. The policies usually also include a towing policy that provides for on-site labor and towing expenses up to the limits you set if your boat becomes disabled in the water. Physical damage coverage may include agreed value loss settlement which will reimburse the full amount of your policy in total loss situations or the actual cash value, which is the current market value of your boat less depreciation. Some policies also offer coverage for pollution (spills) and pet insurance as well as wreck removal. Legal Advice You could be facing serious damage as a result of a boating accident. These could include serious injuries, property damage, and lost income. Although you cannot undo what was done, the law will attempt to make you whole with money-based compensation. This is why you require an knowledgeable Fort Lauderdale boat accident attorney to ensure you receive an appropriate settlement. A boat accident case can take a long time to solve. Our team will investigate the scene of the accident to determine whether alcohol was the cause, what safety rules were violated as well as how long the safety regulations were in effect and who was responsible for making sure that the rules were followed. If multiple boat operators were at fault, we'll need to determine their percentage of responsibility for the crash and then determine a settlement accordingly. Mechanical failures can be the cause of an accident. This covers everything from engine failure and electrical system failures to propellers and rudders. Our lawyers can help you determine if product liability claims are appropriate if mechanical failure is the cause of your settlement. Financial concerns can arise from serious injuries that are sustained in an accident on the boat, especially in cases where they require medical treatment and/or physical therapy. Back and neck injuries, brain injuries and internal injuries are all common injuries.