10 Things That Your Family Teach You About Boat Accident Lawyer
How to File a Boat Accident Claim
Boating can be fun and thrilling, but it can quickly turn deadly if not cautious. Boats must also adhere to strict safety regulations to prevent injuries.
If you've been injured in a boating incident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses and property damage. Contact a New York boat accident lawyer to increase your chances of winning.
1. Gather Evidence
When someone experiences an accident on the water the first step is to collect evidence and contact an attorney. It is also important to seek medical attention immediately for any injuries that might have occurred. To prove a claim, medical records and other evidence are needed. This includes both future and present medical expenses and loss of earnings, earning potential, damage to property, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
Photos and video footage are valuable in preserving evidence from the scene of an accident. Eyewitness testimony is another vital element of evidence, as it can provide valuable details about the causes of the collision that may be missed. You can also use police and incident reports to establish a timeline.
A lawyer who is knowledgeable can analyze the evidence to determine which parties could be responsible for the victim's injuries or losses. A successful negligence claim in an accident on the water usually involves multiple parties liable, which includes the boat's operator and the owner or manufacturer of the watercraft.
A reputable lawyer is able to manage all communications with insurance companies that will be involved in a victim's claim to compensation. A lawyer can help victims avoid saying anything that can be used against them in a court of law and also assist victims in obtaining fair settlements for damages.
2. Report a crime
When a boating incident occurs the first thing to do is make sure that everyone involved is secure. Then, you should call local law enforcement officials and make a report of the incident. According to state laws and regulations, you could have up to 48 hours to file an official report if the incident results in injury or death which requires medical treatment above basic first aid. Alternatively, you may have 10 days to file a claim in the event that the accident causes more than $2,000 worth of damage or if the boat is destroyed.
If you are able, remain at the scene of the accident to help other boats or people without putting your safety or that of the victims at risk. This will allow the law enforcement officer to take note of important details like how the accident occurred, who was onboard at the time of the crash and the reason for it.
Even experienced and well-trained boaters could be involved in an accident on the water because of negligence of another. A knowledgeable attorney can determine the negligent party responsible for your damages, and help you pursue compensation. Medical expenses, property damage and financial losses are all recoverable damages. A lawsuit against the responsible party could also result into monetary compensation for your pain and discomfort or loss of quality life, and emotional trauma due to the accident.
3. Inspect the Damages
After medical professionals have examined everyone's injuries, and they are all in a safe location It is imperative that you take a close examine the damage to the boat. It is now time to think about your insurance policy.
A surveyor will be assigned your claim and come out to assess any damage caused by the accident. The surveyor will then compare what you initially reported to the damage and begin to determine the value of the damages.
It is impossible to control every factor that causes a boat accident lawsuit accident. If there was a defect on the boat, you could be legally able to file a lawsuit for product responsibility against the company that made the boat.
In these instances it is imperative to retain a lawyer that has experience handling boating claims as they can create an air-tight defense that proves that the manufacturer is responsible for the accident.
It is also important to remember that various types of boats are covered in different ways by an insurance policy. For example homeowners insurance will generally only cover smaller boats with engines that is less than 50 HP. Homeowner's insurance will 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 a doctor for any injuries. Even if you don't have a police report, you will still need to notify your insurance company. It is important to be cautious with your information as the insurance companies are often trying to try and determine who is responsible for the accident. This can reduce the amount of compensation you receive. The NYC lawyers for boating accidents at Mirman, Markovits & Landau will work hard to disprove these claims and limit the amount of blame that you are liable for.
If you're able then it's a great idea to gather information about the other boat operators or owners involved in the accident. This includes their name, address, phone number and insurance information. It is also helpful to have a copy of the boating accident report that has been filed.
boat accident law firm accidents can be scary and may cause serious injury. They can cause significant medical expenses as well as lost wages and other damages. Anyone responsible for the injury must be held accountable for the harm they have caused you. You will not get the compensation you deserve if don't speak with an experienced New York injury lawyer as early as you can. This can help level the playing field and allow you to concentrate on getting well.