How to File a Boat Accident Claim Boating can be fun and exciting, but it can quickly turn deadly if not careful Boats must also follow strict safety guidelines to avoid injuries If you've been injured as a result of a boating accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation for medical expenses and property damage To increase your chances of success 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 It is also crucial to seek medical attention immediately for any injuries that may have occurred To support a claim, medical documents and other evidence are needed This includes current and future medical expenses, loss of earnings or earning potential, damage to property, and non-economic damages such as suffering and pain Video and photos are helpful in preserving evidence from the scene of an accident Eyewitness testimony is yet another important evidence source, as it can provide important information about the reason for a collision that might otherwise be omitted You can also utilize police and incident reports to create an outline of the timeframe A lawyer who is knowledgeable can scrutinize the evidence to identify the parties that could be responsible for the victim's injuries or losses A successful negligence case for a boating accident usually involves multiple parties liable, including the boat's operator as well as the manufacturer or owner of the watercraft A reputable lawyer can handle all communication with insurance companies that will be involved in a person's claim for compensation An attorney can prevent victims from saying anything that could be used against them in court Additionally, they can assist victims receive fair settlement offers for their losses 2 Report a crime The first thing to do after a boating incident is to ensure everyone is secure You should then call the police in your area and file a report Based on the laws of your state and regulations, you might only have 48 hours to submit reports in the event of death or serious injury that requires medical treatment beyond basic first aid Additionally, you may be given ten days to file a claim in the event that the accident causes more than 2,000 in damage or the boat is damaged You should also stay at the site of the accident to assist other boats or people if feasible without risking your safety or that of the victims This will allow the law enforcement officer to keep track of crucial details like the manner in which the accident happened and who was onboard at the time of the crash and the reason for it Even well-trained and experienced boaters can be involved in accidents on the water due to someone else's negligence A knowledgeable attorney can assist you in identifying the negligent party responsible for your injuries and seek compensation Recoverable damages typically include your medical expenses, property damage and financial losses Additionally, bringing an action against the accountable party could lead to monetary reimbursement for your pain and suffering, loss of quality of life and other emotional pains that can be associated with the crash 3 Examine the damages Once medical professionals have checked the injuries of everyone and are secured, it is important to take a good look at the damage to the boat You should now start thinking about your insurance policy A surveyor will be assigned to your claim and will visit to examine any damage that was caused by the accident He or she will compare the damage to the original reported by you and will then determine the amount of damage that could be worth It is impossible to control every single factor that could cause a boat accident If there was https//vimeocom/709639985 in the boat, you might be able to file a claim for product liability against the company that made the boat In these instances you will require an attorney with experience in boating claims They can build a strong case that proves the manufacturer was responsible for the accident It is important to keep in mind that different types are covered by insurance policies in different ways Homeowners insurance, for instance, will usually only cover small boats with engines less than 50 HP This means that airboats, jet skis, and larger vessels won't be covered by homeowner's insurance 4 Contact an attorney Notify your insurance company when you feel safe and have visited a doctor for any injuries It is likely that you will need to notify them even if no police report is filed It is important to be cautious with your information because insurance companies often try and assign blame for the incident This can reduce the amount of compensation you receive The NYC lawyers for boating accidents at Mirman, Markovits amp; Landau will be determined to prove these claims and limit the amount of fault attributable to you If you are able, it is a good idea to gather information on the other boat owners or operators involved in the crash This includes their name, address along with their phone number and insurance information It is also beneficial to have a copy of the report of a boating accident that has been filed Boat accidents can be a nightmare and may cause serious injuries They can result in massive medical expenses, loss of wages, and even damages The responsible parties must be accountable for any harm they caused You won't be able to receive the compensation you deserve if do not consult a seasoned New York injury lawyer as soon as you can This will help to level the playing field and allow you to focus on getting well