How to File a Boat Accident Claim Boating can be exciting and fun, but If you're not careful, it can quickly turn dangerous. Boats must adhere to strict safety regulations to prevent injuries. If you've been injured in an accident while on the boat, you may be eligible to receive compensation for medical expenses as well as property damage. To increase your chances of success you should speak with a reputable New York boat accident attorney. 1. Gather Evidence The most important thing to do following a boating accident is to gather evidence and contact an attorney. You should seek medical attention immediately for any injuries. In order to support a claim medical documents and other evidence are needed. This includes current and future medical expenses as well as loss of earnings or earning potential, damage to property and other non-economic damages, such as suffering and pain. Photos and video footage are useful in preserving physical evidence at the scene of an accident. Eyewitness testimony can be an invaluable evidence source since it can provide details about the collision that otherwise would remain unnoticed. Police and incident reports can also be used to establish a time line of what happened in the particular case. A lawyer with experience can analyze the evidence to determine who is accountable for the victim's injuries or losses. A boating accident negligence case typically involves multiple parties including the driver of the boat and the manufacturer or owner of the watercraft. A reputable attorney can handle all communication between victims and insurance providers involved in the victim's compensation claim. A lawyer can assist victims not to say anything that could be used against them in the courts, and also help victims obtain fair settlement offers for damages. 2. Report a crime When a boating incident occurs, the first thing to do is make sure that everyone involved is safe. The next step is to contact the police at the scene and submit a police report. Depending on the state laws and regulations, you may have 48 hours to submit reports in the event of death or serious injury needing medical attention above first aid. You may also be able to file a report within 10 days to file a report if you are in a position to not locate the boat or if the accident results in more than $2,000 of damage. You should also be at the site of the accident to help other boats or people, if possible without endangering your own safety or that of the victims. This will allow the law enforcement officer to keep track of crucial details such as how the accident happened, who was onboard at the time of the collision and the cause. Even well-trained and experienced boaters can get involved in water-related accidents because of someone else's negligence. An experienced attorney can pinpoint the responsible party for your injuries, and assist you pursue compensation. Damages that can be recovered typically include medical expenses, property damage and financial losses. Furthermore, filing a lawsuit against the responsible party could result in financial recovery for your pain and suffering, as well as loss of quality of life and other emotional issues that come along with the crash. 3. Inspect the Damages After medical professionals have evaluated all injuries and are all in a safe location It is essential to take a careful look at the damage done to the boat. It is now time to think about your insurance policy. A surveyor will be assigned your claim and come out to inspect any damage incurred by the accident. The surveyor will evaluate the initial report to the damage and then start figuring out the value of the damage. Most boat accidents result from a combination of factors that are not always possible to control all of them. If there was a manufacturing defect in the vessel it might be possible to make a claim for product liability against the manufacturer of the boat. In these instances it is vital to have a lawyer who is familiar with handling boating claims because they can build an airtight case that proves that the manufacturer is responsible for the accident. It is important to keep in mind that different types are insured by different policies. For instance, homeowner's insurance, which covers home owners generally only covers small boats that have engines less than 50 HP. Homeowner's insurance does not cover jet skis, larger vessels or airboats. 4. Contact an Attorney As soon as you are secured and have seen a medical professional regarding injuries, ensure that you inform your insurance company. You'll likely have to notify them even there is no police report filed. Be cautious when you give information to insurance companies, because they are likely to try to assign blame for an accident. This could reduce the amount of compensation you receive. The NYC lawyer for boating accidents at Mirman Markovits & Landau work hard to challenge and limit these claims. It is a good thing to gather as many details as you can on the other boat owners or operators who were involved in the incident. This includes their name, address along with their phone number and insurance details. https://vimeo.com/709779950 is also beneficial to have a copy the accident report filed. Boat accidents can be frightening and may cause serious injuries. They can result in massive medical expenses, loss of wages, and even damages. The parties responsible have to be held accountable for the harm they caused you. The at-fault parties and insurance companies will not give you the compensation you deserve willingly and it is therefore essential to consult a seasoned New York injury attorney as in the earliest possible time. This will allow you to concentrate on improving your situation and level the playing fields.