How to File a Boat Accident Claim Boating can be exciting and fun, but should you not be careful, it can quickly become deadly Like cars, boats need to adhere to strict safety rules to avoid injuries If you've been injured as a result of an accident on the water, then you could be eligible for compensation for medical expenses and property damage Contact a New York boat accident lawyer to increase your odds of winning 1 Gather Evidence The most important thing you can do following an accident on a boat is to gather evidence and contact a lawyer It is also important to seek medical treatment immediately for any injuries that might have occurred To support a claim, medical documents and other evidence are required This includes future and current medical expenses in addition to loss of earnings or earning potential, damage to property and non-economic losses such as suffering and pain Videos and photos can help preserve physical evidence from the scene of a boating incident Eyewitness testimony is a crucial element of evidence, since it can provide valuable details regarding the cause of a collision that might otherwise be omitted Police and incident reports can be used to determine the chronology of what transpired during the investigation A lawyer who is knowledgeable can scrutinize the evidence to determine who is accountable for the victim's injuries or losses A boating accident negligence case usually involves multiple parties, including the boat driver and the manufacturer or owner of the watercraft A reputable attorney will manage all communications between insurance companies and victims involved in the claim for compensation of the victim An attorney can prevent victims from saying anything that could be used against their case in court they can also assist victims to obtain fair settlement offers for their losses 2 File a Report When a boating incident occurs, the first thing you need to do is make sure that everyone is secure Then, you must contact local law enforcement and make a report of the incident Depending on state laws and regulations, you could have 48 hours to file an official report if the incident causes injury or death which requires medical treatment above basic first aid You could also have ten days to file a report in the event of more than 2,000 in damages or if the boat is destroyed If you can, be at the scene to assist other boats or individuals without risking your own safety or the safety of the victims at risk This will permit the law enforcement officer to keep track of crucial details such as how the collision occurred, who was onboard at the time of the collision and the reason for it Even experienced and well-trained boaters could be involved in an accident on the water due to negligence of another A skilled attorney can identify the person who was negligent in causing your injuries and help you pursue compensation Property damage, medical expenses and financial losses are all recoverable damages A lawsuit against the responsible party could also result in financial compensation for your pain and discomfort and loss of quality of life, and emotional trauma due to the accident 3 Inspect the Damages After medical professionals have evaluated all the injuries sustained by everyone and determined that they are all in a safe spot It is essential to take a careful look at the damage that has been done to the boat Now is the time to start thinking about your insurance policy A surveyor will be assigned to your claim and will be sent out to look at the damage caused by the accident He or she will evaluate the damage to the original described by you They will then start figuring out the amount of damage that could be worth https//vimeocom/709876034 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 might be able to file a claim for product liability against the company who made the boat In these instances you require an attorney with experience boating claims They can put together a strong case that proves the manufacturer was responsible for the accident It is also important to remember that different types of boats are governed differently by insurance policies For example homeowners insurance is typically only cover smaller boats with an engine that is below 50 HP Insurance for homeowners does not cover jet skis, larger vessels or airboats 4 Contact an attorney When you are secure and have visited a medical professional regarding injuries, ensure that you inform your insurance company It is likely that you will need to notify them even if no police report is filed Be cautious when providing information to insurance companies, since they often attempt to assign blame for an accident This could decrease the amount of compensation you receive The NYC boating accident lawyers at Mirman Markovits amp; Landau work hard to debunk and limit these claims If you're able to then it's a great idea to get information from the other boat operators or owners who were involved in the crash This includes their address, name along with their phone number and insurance information It is also beneficial to have a copy the report of a boating accident that has been filed Boat accidents can be scary and cause serious injuries They can be a source of substantial medical expenses, lost wages, and even damages Anyone responsible for the injury must be held accountable for the harm they caused you The at-fault parties and insurance companies won't provide you with the amount you are due, so it is important to consult a seasoned New York injury attorney as early as you can This can help level the playing field and allow you to concentrate on healing