How to Get a Fair Boat Accident Settlement Find a reputable personal injury attorney as quickly as you can if you or someone close to your heart has been injured in a boating accident. A skilled lawyer can discover critical evidence and insurance coverage that could result in a full settlement in a boating accident. Many states have modified contributory negligence laws that may reduce your compensation if your share of the blame for an accident. A personal injury lawyer will challenge these claims to get you maximum compensation. Medical Treatment Medical bills can quickly mount in the event of a boating accident that causes severe injuries. Most of these bills are covered by the insurance of the victim. However, the victims may be faced with substantial deductibles and coinsurance costs and also lost wages as a result of being unable to work. Additionally other damages that are not economic, like pain, suffering or loss of enjoyment of living, might be in the scope of. An experienced lawyer can assist victims to obtain the financial compensation they deserve. They will examine the facts of a case to determine who could be held liable for the accident. This could involve requesting witnesses and examining evidence to determine the root of the accident. It is essential for injured victims to seek medical attention promptly after a boating incident. This ensures that all serious injuries are treated correctly and documented. Medical records can also be used to prove an insurance claim. It is also important for injured victims to report the incident to their insurance company. This is especially important when the victim owned or operated the vessel that was involved in the incident. Insurance companies will request information like names, contact information, registration or identification number of all boat operators and witnesses. The lawyer will also request documentation, such as photographs and evidence of damage. Documentation It's important to note that just as in a car accident you can seek compensation for medical bills and other losses that result from an accident with a boat. The amount you receive could be used to pay for a variety of costs that include medical visits, Xrays, prescriptions and physical therapy and also the loss of income caused by being incapable of working. If you're able to do so it's a good idea take photos of the scene of the boating incident and any visible injuries. Also, it's important to get the contact details for witnesses and anyone who was on any of the boats involved in the crash. This will aid in building your case should you have to file a lawsuit against the negligent party. In a personal injury lawsuit, you must establish four things: that the defendant was bound by a duty of caring towards you, that obligation was not met, that their breach resulted in your injury and damages and that these injuries and damages were caused by that incident. In a case involving a boating accident you can identify multiple defendants as responsible for your boating incident, according to their degree of negligence and the part they played in the incident. While it's important to gather as much documentation as you can after a boating accident but you shouldn't offer an apology or take responsibility for the incident. This could compromise the investigation and your claim for injuries sustained from boating. Insurance Coverage With easy access to the Atlantic Ocean and numerous lakes, it is common for New Yorkers to indulge in water sports such as boating, fishing and more. This activity is a recreational one that comes with unique liabilities that should be taken seriously. If you're injured in an accident on the water then you should consider working with a skilled personal injury attorney. An attorney can help determine the insurance coverage available in your case. The majority of responsible boat owners and operators have liability insurance that will cover any damage caused by their actions. However should the other party is uninsured or underinsured, you could be entitled to additional compensation through an excess policy. It is also important to check your own insurance policies on boating to make sure they are current and provide coverage for your specific boat. These policies usually cover medical expenses, including hospital bills, first aid treatments as well as other expenses should you or anyone else aboard is injured on your boat. The policies also typically provide a towing protection which covers on-site work and towing expenses up to your chosen limits in the event that your boat is disabled in the water. Physical damage coverage may include a settlement for agreed value, which reimburses the full amount of your policy in total loss scenarios or the actual cash value, which covers the current market value of your boat less depreciation. Some policies also offer coverage for pollution (spills) and pet coverage and wreck removal. Legal Advice After a boat accident, you could face substantial damages from severe injuries, property damage and loss of income. While you can't reverse what happened, the law attempts to compensate you with money-based compensation. You'll need an experienced Fort Lauderdale attorney to make sure you receive a fair settlement. A boat accident case can take a long time to be resolved. Our team will examine the scene of the accident to determine whether alcohol was the cause, what safety rules were broken, how long the safety rules were in place, and who was responsible for instilling the rules. If there were multiple boat operators at fault it will be necessary to determine each operator's percentage of fault and determine an amount of settlement. Mechanical failures could also be the cause of an accident. This can be anything from engine failure and electrical system failure to propellers and rudders. Our lawyers will assist you determine if product liability claims are appropriate if mechanical failure is the cause of your settlement. Financial concerns can arise due to serious injuries that are sustained in a boating accident, especially if they require medical attention or physical therapy. Neck and back injuries along with brain injuries and internal damage are all common injuries.