How to File a Boat Accident Claim Boating can be fun and thrilling, but it can quickly become dangerous if not cautious. Like cars, boats must follow strict safety rules to prevent injuries. If you've been injured in a boating incident you could be entitled to compensation for medical bills and property damage. To increase your chances of winning seek out a skilled New York boat accident attorney. 1. Gather Evidence When someone is involved in an accident while on a boat the first step is to gather evidence and speak with an attorney. You should also seek medical assistance immediately for any injuries. To support a claim, medical documents and other evidence are required. This includes both future and present medical expenses and loss of earnings, earning potential, damage to property as well as non-economic damages such as suffering and pain. Videos and photos can be used to preserve physical evidence from the scene of a boating incident. Eyewitness testimony can be a valuable evidence source since it provides details about the collision that otherwise would be ignored. You can also use police and incident reports to create a timeline. A knowledgeable lawyer will review the evidence and determine which parties are responsible for victim's injuries and related expenses. A lawsuit for negligence arising from a boating accident usually involves multiple parties, including the boat's operator and the owner or manufacture 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 to avoid saying anything that could be used against them in a court of law, and can assist victims in obtaining fair settlement offers for damages. 2. Make a Report When a boating accident occurs the first thing you should do is make sure that everyone is safe. You should then call the local police department and submit a police report. According to state laws and regulations, you might have 48 hours to file reports if the accident results in death or injury which requires medical treatment above basic first aid. You may also be able to file a report within 10 days to file a report if you are incapable of finding the boat or if the incident results in more than $2,000 worth of damage. You should also be at the scene of the accident and assist other boats or people, if you can, without putting at risk your safety or that of the victims. This will let the law enforcement officer note important information, such as what caused the accident and who was on board at the time of the crash, and what it caused. Even well-trained and experienced boaters can be involved in accidents on the water because of someone else's negligence. A knowledgeable lawyer can assist you in identifying the responsible party responsible for your injuries and seek compensation. Recoverable damages typically include your medical expenses, property damage, and financial losses. In addition, an action against the accountable party could result in financial reimbursement for your pain and suffering, as well as loss of quality of life, and other emotional pains that can be associated with the crash. 3. Examine the damages Once medical professionals have assessed all injuries and ensured that everyone is in a safe location, it is important to look at the damage to the boat. This is when you start looking at your insurance policy and what it will cover. A surveyor will be assigned your claim and will be sent out to inspect any damage incurred by the accident. The surveyor will assess the damage with the ones originally recorded by you. He or she will then begin to figure out how much the damages might be worth. https://vimeo.com/709655302 result from a combination of causes that are not always possible to control all of them. If there was a defect on the boat, you could be in a position to file a claim for product liability against the company who created the boat. In these situations it is crucial to hire a lawyer who has experience handling boating cases as they can create an airtight case to prove that the manufacturer was accountable for the accident. It is important to remember that different types of boats are covered by different insurance policies. For instance, homeowner's insurance, which covers home owners typically only covers small boats with engines under 50 HP. This means that airboats, jet skis, and larger vessels won't be covered by homeowner's insurance. 4. Contact an attorney Inform your insurance company immediately after you feel safe and have visited a doctor in case of any injuries. Even if there's no police report, you will still need to notify your insurance company. It is important to be cautious with your information because insurance companies will often attempt to determine who is responsible for the accident. This can decrease the amount of compensation that you receive. The NYC lawyers for boating accidents at Mirman, Markovits & Landau will be determined to prove these claims and reduce the amount of fault that you are liable for. It is recommended to collect as many details as you can about the other boat owners or operators who were involved in the incident. Included in this information is their names, addresses and phone number along with any insurance details. It is also helpful to have a copy the boating accident report that has been filed. Boat accidents can be terrifying and can cause serious injuries. They can result in significant medical costs, lost wages, and damage. The responsible parties should be accountable for any harm that they cause. You won't get the compensation you deserve if don't seek out an experienced New York injury lawyer as soon as possible. This will help level the playing field and allow you to concentrate on healing.