How to Get a Fair Boat Accident Settlement

Find a reputable personal injury attorney as soon as you can if you or someone close to your heart has been injured in an accident on a vessel. A skilled lawyer can discover critical evidence and insurance coverage that could result in a full settlement in a boating accident.

A lot of states have altered law on contributory negligence which can reduce your compensation if you share fault for an accident. A personal injury lawyer will contest these claims to ensure the maximum amount of compensation.

Medical Treatment

Medical bills can quickly mount up when a boating incident results in serious injuries. These expenses are typically paid for in part by a victim's health insurance. The victim could be faced with high deductibles, coinsurance costs and lost wages due to absence from work. Additionally, non-economic damages might be a possibility, for instance suffering and pain or loss of enjoyment of life.

An experienced lawyer can help victims obtain the financial compensation they need and deserve. They will review the facts of the case and determine who is liable to be held accountable for the accident. This could involve requesting witnesses and examining evidence to determine the root of the accident.

Injured victims should seek medical attention as soon as possible after a boating incident. In this way, severe injuries are treated properly and documented. Medical records can also be used to support an insurance claim.

Victims of injuries should also be sure to report the accident to their insurance company. This is particularly true in the event that they were the owner or operator of the boat involved in the crash. The insurance company may request information such as names, contact numbers as well as registration numbers or identification numbers for all boat operators and eyewitnesses. The attorney will also require documentation, such as photographs and evidence of damage.

Documentation

It's important to note that just as you would in a car accident you may be able to seek compensation for your medical bills and other losses that result from a boating accident. The compensation you receive could cover a wide range of expenses, including doctor's appointments physical therapy and Xrays, prescriptions, as well as the loss of income resulting from inability to work.

If you're in a position to do so it's a good idea to take pictures of the scene of the boating accident as well as any visible injuries. Also, it's recommended to collect the contact details for witnesses as well as anyone on any of the boats involved in the accident. Doing this will help build your case in the event that you need to bring a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party for their wrongful actions.

In a personal injuries lawsuit, you have to prove four things: the defendant had an obligation of care towards you, that obligation was not met and the breach caused your injury and damages, and that the injuries and damages were caused by that incident. In a case involving boating you might be able to name more than one defendant responsible for the accident, based upon the level of negligence they showed and their role in the incident.

Never apologize or take responsibility for an accident. This could compromise the investigation as well as your claim for boating injuries.

Insurance Coverage

With easy access to the Atlantic Ocean and numerous lakes it is commonplace for New Yorkers to enjoy water sports such as boating, fishing and more. However, this sport brings with it unique risks which must be viewed seriously. If you've been injured as a result of an accident on the water it is recommended to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer.

An attorney can help determine the insurance coverage available in your specific situation. The majority of boat owners and operators carry liability insurance to cover any damages they cause. However should the other party is uninsured or underinsured, you could be eligible for additional compensation via an excess policy.

It is also important to verify your boating insurance policies to ensure they're current and provide coverage for your particular boat. The policies typically cover medical expenses, which includes hospital bills, first aid treatment and other related expenses for instance, if you or someone else aboard is injured on your vessel. They also usually include a towing coverage that covers on-site labor and towing costs up to your selected limits should your boat become disabled while on the water.

According to the policy, physical damage coverage includes an agreed value loss settlement which pays you the full amount of the policy in total loss circumstances or actual cash value coverage that pays for the current market value of your boat, less depreciation. Certain policies offer pollution (spill) liability, pet coverage and wreck removal insurance as well.

Legal Advice

Following a boating accident, you could be liable for significant damage due to severe injuries, property damage, and loss of income. The law tries to compensate you for your losses, even if you cannot change what happened. This is why you need an experienced Fort Lauderdale boat accident attorney to ensure you receive an honest settlement.

It takes time to solve a boat accident case. Our team will investigate the scene of an accident to determine if alcohol was involved, what safety rules were violated and how long the safety regulations were in place and who was accountable for making sure that the rules were followed. If multiple boat operators were to blame it is necessary to determine their respective percentage of blame for the crash and assign a settlement according to that.

Mechanical failures can also be the cause of accidents. This includes everything from engine malfunction and electrical system malfunctions to propellers and rudders. If you are awarded settlement, and an mechanical malfunction was to blame our lawyers will assist you determine if product liability claims should be included in your claim.

Injuries from a boat accident attorney collision could result in serious financial worries, especially when you are unable to work and require medical attention or physical therapy. Common injuries can include neck and back fractures, broken bones internal injuries to the brain such as burns, paralysis and many other conditions that can have an impact on your quality of life.