How to File a Boat Accident Claim Boating can be exciting and enjoyable, however if you are not careful it could turn dangerous. Just like cars, boats must adhere to strict safety guidelines to avoid injuries. If you've been injured in a boating incident you could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and 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 a boating accident is to collect evidence and then contact an attorney. You should also seek medical attention immediately for any injuries. To prove a claim, medical records and other evidence is required. This includes future and current medical expenses and loss of earnings, earning potential, property damage and other non-economic damages, like pain and suffering. Video and photos are helpful in preserving physical evidence at the scene of an accident. Eyewitness testimony is another vital element of evidence, as it can provide crucial information about the causes of an accident that could otherwise be omitted. You can also use police reports and incident reports to create an outline of the timeframe. A lawyer who is knowledgeable can scrutinize the evidence to identify the parties that could be responsible for the victim's injuries or losses. A successful negligence claim for an accident on the water usually involves multiple parties liable, including the boat's operator as well as the manufacturer or owner of the watercraft. A reputable lawyer can manage all communications with insurance providers who are involved in a person's claim for compensation. A lawyer can help 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. File a report When a boating accident occurs, the first thing you must do is ensure that everyone involved is safe. Then, you must contact local law enforcement and complete a report on the incident. Based on the laws of your state and regulations, you could only have 48 hours to submit an account in the event of death or serious injury needing medical attention above first aid. You could also be granted 10 days to file a claim if you're in a position to not locate the boat or if the incident causes more than $2,000 in damage. If possible, you should remain at the scene of the accident to assist other boats or individuals without putting your safety or that of the victims in danger. https://vimeo.com/709641988 will allow the law enforcement officer to keep track of crucial details like the manner in which the collision occurred, who was onboard at the time of the collision and what caused it. Even well-trained and experienced boaters can get into accidents on the water because of someone else's negligence. A knowledgeable lawyer can assist you in identifying the negligent party who caused your damages and pursue compensation. The types of damages that are recoverable include medical expenses, property damage and financial losses. A lawsuit against the responsible party could also result into monetary compensation for your pain and discomfort and loss of quality of life, as well as emotional distress caused by the incident. 3. Examine the damages After medical experts have examined all the injuries sustained by everyone and determined that they are all in a safe spot It is crucial to take a closer look at the damage done to the boat. This is when you start looking at your insurance policy and what it will cover. A surveyor will be assigned to your claim and will be sent out to inspect the damage caused by the accident. He or she will compare the damage to the one originally reported by you and will then begin to figure out what the damages could be worth. Most boat accidents are caused by a combination of factors which means it's impossible to control all of them. If there was a defect in the boat, you could be eligible to file a claim for product responsibility against the company that made the boat. In these cases it is vital to hire a lawyer who has experience handling boating claims because they are able to create an airtight case to prove that the manufacturer was accountable for the accident. It is also important to keep in mind that various kinds of boats are covered differently by insurance policies. For instance homeowners insurance is typically only cover smaller boats with an engine with less than 50 HP. This means that airboats, jet skis and larger vessels won't be covered by homeowner's insurance. 4. Contact an Attorney Notify your insurance company when you feel safe and have been to the doctor for any injuries. It is likely that you will need to do so even in the absence of a police report filed. It is important to be careful with your information since insurance companies frequently try and assign blame for the incident. This could reduce the amount of compensation awarded. The NYC boating accident lawyers at Mirman Markovits & Landau work hard to disprove and limit these claims. It is a good thing to gather as the information you can on the other boat owners or operators who were involved in the accident. This includes their name, address as well as their phone number and insurance details. It is also beneficial to have a copy the accident report filed. Boat accidents can be terrifying and cause serious injury. They can result in significant medical expenses as well as lost wages and other damage. The parties responsible for the injury must be accountable for any harm that they cause. You won't receive the compensation you deserve if don't consult an experienced New York injury lawyer as quickly as is possible. This will allow you to concentrate on improving your situation and level the playing field.