9 Lessons Your Parents Taught You About Boat Accident Lawyer
How to File a Boat Accident Claim
Boating can be enjoyable and thrilling, but it could quickly become dangerous if not careful. Like cars, boats must adhere to strict safety rules to prevent injuries.
If you've been injured in an accident while on the boat accident attorney, you may be eligible to receive compensation for medical expenses and property damage. Contact a New York boat accident lawyer to increase your odds of winning.
1. Gather Evidence
When someone experiences a boating accident, the most important step is to gather evidence and contact an attorney. It is also important to seek medical attention as soon as possible for any injuries that may have occurred. To support a claim, medical records and other evidence is required. This includes current and future medical expenses in addition to loss of earnings or earning potential, property damage and other non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
Video and photographs can be useful in preserving evidence from the scene of an accident. Eyewitness testimony is a crucial element of evidence, since it can provide important information regarding the cause of an accident that could otherwise be overlooked. You can also use police reports and incident reports to establish a time line.
A lawyer with expertise can scrutinize the evidence to determine which parties could be accountable for the victim's injuries or losses. A successful negligence claim in an accident on the water usually involves multiple parties that are liable, including the boat operator and the manufacturer or owner of the watercraft.
A reputable lawyer is able to handle all communication with insurance providers who will be involved in a person's claim for compensation. An attorney can deter victims from saying anything that could be used against them in court. Additionally, they can assist victims receive fair settlement offers for their 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 must contact local law enforcement agencies and complete a report on the incident. Depending on state laws and regulations, you could have 48 hours to file an incident report if the accident results in injury or death that requires medical attention beyond basic first aid. You could also be granted 10 days to file a report if you are not able to locate the boat or if the incident causes more than $2,000 worth of damages.
It is also recommended that you remain at the site of the accident to help other boats or individuals if possible without endangering your own safety or that of the victims. This will enable the police officer to take note of important details like the manner in which the accident happened and who was onboard at the time of the collision and the cause.
Even well-trained and experienced boaters may be involved in accidents on the water due to someone else's negligence. An experienced lawyer can identify the responsible party for the damages you suffered, and assist you pursue compensation. Damage to property, medical expenses 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 stress due to the incident.
3. Examine the damage
Once medical professionals have checked everyone's injuries and they are in a safe area it is crucial to take a good look at the damage to the boat. This is when you start considering 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. They will compare the initial report to the damage and then begin to determine the value of the damage.
It is impossible to control every single factor that could cause a boat accident. If there was a defect on the boat, you could be legally able to file a lawsuit for product liability against the manufacturer who produced the boat.
In these cases you require an attorney with experience boating claims. They can build a strong case that proves the manufacturer is responsible for the accident.
It is also important to remember that various types of boats are governed differently by insurance policies. Insurance for homeowners, for instance, will usually only cover small boats with engines under 50 HP. The homeowner's insurance policy does not cover jet skis, larger vessels or airboats.
4. Contact an Attorney
Inform your insurance company immediately after you feel safe and have seen the doctor for any injuries. Even if there is no police report, you'll still need to notify your insurance company. You should be careful when providing information to insurance companies as they may attempt to determine who is at fault for an accident. This can limit the amount of compensation you are awarded. The NYC lawyers for boating accidents at Mirman Markovits & Landau work to prove and limit these claims.
It is important to gather as all information you can on the other boat owners and operators involved in the accident. Included in this information is their names, addresses and telephone number along with any insurance details. It is also helpful to have a copy the report of a boating accident that is filed.
Boat accidents can be a nightmare and may cause serious injury. They can result in significant medical expenses as well as lost wages and other damage. The parties responsible must be accountable for any harm that they cause. The at-fault parties and insurance companies will not offer you the compensation you deserve, so it is important to speak with an experienced New York injury attorney as soon as you can. This will allow you to concentrate on gaining more and level the playing fields.