How to Negotiate a Boat Accident Settlement If you're injured in a boat accident, you're entitled to compensation for your injuries Contact an attorney in the area to discuss your claim A skilled attorney can uncover important evidence and information that would be difficult to obtain on your own This includes reports on the assets of the owner of the boat, results of any alcohol or drug tests administered to the owner and all the available commercial and personal insurance coverage Insurance Coverage Depending on the type boating accident you experience There are a variety of possible insurance coverage These policies provide coverage for bodily injury and property damage as along with legal defense costs and other expenses They generally are based on either an agreed value or the actual cash value ACV loss settlement The bodily injury portion of your insurance policy also known as protection and indemnity covers any financial responsibility you have for any damages incurred by third parties as a result of their injuries or deaths It also helps to cover the costs of a lawsuit filed against you Another option is watercraft liability coverage This is generally designed to aid in repairs and replacement of other people's boats, docks or personal belongings in the event that the boat owner was at fault It is based upon compensation limits and can include an expense deductible A boating accident attorney can help you choose the best insurance coverage for your particular situation They can also assist you to understand the differences between insurance companies, and ensure that you receive the most appropriate coverage They can also negotiate with the party at fault and their insurance company to ensure that you get fairly compensated for your losses They can also assist you to avoid being pressured into accepting a low-ball offer This could save you thousands of dollars over the long term Negligence Boat accidents can be caused by a range of factors, including carelessness or recklessness, a lack of experience, or simply mistakes Even in the event that the cause is that is beyond your control like an unexpected turn or bad weather, you can seek financial compensation from the negligent party in a personal injury lawsuit Most likely, the person responsible for any boating accident is the operator of the vessel This is particularly the case in the event that the driver was under the impaired by alcohol or was not acting with reasonable care You can also bring a lawsuit against other parties for breach of duty, for instance the owner of the boat, when they did not perform routine maintenance and repairs, which contributed to the accident or the manufacture of the equipment or component, or the lookout, if they failed alert passengers to potential hazards Determining who can be accountable is a crucial step to pursue the settlement of a boating accident To collect as much evidence as possible, you will need to read the entire incident report, take photographs of the scene of the crash, take photographs of your injuries and speak to witnesses Your lawyer can help you collect this information by helping by submitting subpoenas or other legal investigations The lawyer will then assist you in calculating the worth of your claim and discuss the claim with insurance companies Damages A person who suffers injuries or the loss of a loved one in an accident on a boat may face significant medical expenses While health insurance could be able to cover these costs However, a person might be seeking compensation from the responsible party for their loss An experienced attorney will evaluate the insurance coverage of any responsible parties to determine a fair amount https//vimeocom/709872807 of factors can trigger accidents while boating Your attorney will look at the causes of the accident and attempt to prove that it was due to someone's carelessness This could include speeding, not maintaining the boat and driving under the effects of alcohol or drugs or not observing the weather conditions or water conditions In the event of a boating accident there are both economic and non-economic injuries Economic damages are the cost of medical treatments and loss of income due to being unable to work, as well as property damage Non-economic damages include pain and suffering and disfigurement A reputable NYC boating injury lawyer will strive to maximize the amount of compensation awarded for these losses A lawyer can make a claim against the manufacturer of the vessel or water safety equipment if a defect played part in the accident This type of lawsuit could be called product liability Your lawyer can go through all evidence of the accident including witnesses' testimony, accident reports, and video footage, to prove the defendant's responsibility Time Limits If you've suffered injuries in a boating accident caused by negligence of another, it is important to act quickly Statutes of limitations are time restrictions that apply to the filing of a lawsuit or claim They can vary from states to states and depend on the type of accident Your legal rights are only possible through an experienced maritime attorney You should seek medical attention immediately after a boat accident even if it's not your intention to think you've been seriously hurt Some injuries like concussions and internal bleeding may not be apparent immediately It is crucial, as are the names and contact numbers of any witnesses It is also recommended to take pictures of any damage to boats or other property and any injuries that occurred Our lawyers will investigate your incident thoroughly to determine the cause and responsible parties We will then file a claim against the responsible parties and seek maximum compensation We will consider both economic damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, as well as non-economic damages such as loss of enjoyment from your life and discomfort and pain We will also seek punitive damages in the event that the defendant has demonstrated gross negligence or intentional misconduct