How to Negotiate a Boat Accident Settlement

If you're injured in an accident on the water, you are entitled to be compensated for your losses. Contact a local lawyer to discuss your claim and your rights.

An experienced lawyer will be able to find evidence and information that you wouldn't be able to locate on your own. This includes the reports of assets on boat owners as well as the results of any drug or alcohol tests administered to the operator as well as all personal and commercial insurance coverage.

Insurance Coverage

Depending on the kind of boating accident you suffer there are a variety of possible insurance coverage. These policies can include bodily injury, property damage, legal defense and other potential expenses. They are generally based on either an agreed value, or an actual cash value (ACV) loss settlement.

The bodily injury portion of your policy that is often called protection and indemnity, takes care of the financial responsibility for damages that you may be required to pay for injuries or deaths sustained by third parties. It also helps to cover the costs of a lawsuit that is filed against you.

Another option is to get watercraft liability coverage. This insurance policy is designed to cover the cost of repairs and replacements to docks, boats, or personal items in the event that a boat owner is responsible. It is based on compensation limits and can include a deductible.

A personal injury lawyer from a boating accident lawyer can offer advice on the insurance coverage that is suitable for your particular situation. They can also help to discern the differences between insurance companies, and ensure that you receive the best coverage. They can also negotiate on behalf of you with the person who was at fault and their insurance company to ensure you get a fair amount of compensation for your losses. You can also be able to avoid being pressured into accepting a low-ball offer. This could save you thousands of dollars in the long run.

Negligence

Accidents on boats can be caused by a myriad of causes, including negligence or recklessness, a lack of experience, or simple mistakes. Even if it was something which you could not control, such as an unexpected turn or bad conditions, you are still able to pursue the negligent party for financial compensation.

The person who is most likely to be responsible for a boat-related accident is the operator of the vessel, especially if they were operating under the influence or not exercising reasonable care. However, you can also be able to sue for a breach in duty from other parties, like the owner of the vessel (for instance when they did not perform routine maintenance or repair that caused the accident) as well as the manufacturer of the boat (for defective parts or equipment), and the lookout (if they did not alert passengers to a potential hazard).

To pursue settlements for an incident on a boat it is essential to determine who may be responsible. To collect as much evidence as possible, you'll need to read all accident reports, take pictures of the site of the crash, your injuries and speak to witnesses. Your lawyer can assist with subpoenas as well as other legal investigations to gather the information. The lawyer can help you calculate the value of your claim and discuss the claim with insurance companies.

Damages

Someone who has suffered injuries or the loss of a loved one due to an accident on a boat may face significant medical costs. Although health insurance might pay for the expenses, a person might also be seeking compensation from the responsible party for the losses. An experienced lawyer will evaluate any accountable parties and their insurance coverage to determine the fair amount to settle.

A boating accident may be caused by many factors. Your lawyer will examine the causes of the accident and try to prove it was caused by someone else's negligence. This could be due to speeding or not maintaining the boat accident law firm while under the impaired by alcohol or drugs or not observing the weather conditions and water conditions.

Damages that could result from an accident on a boat can result in economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are the cost of medical treatments as well as loss of income resulting from missing work, and property damage. Non-economic damages include disfigurement and suffering. A good NYC boating injury lawyer will seek to maximize the compensation awarded for these losses.

A lawyer can make a claim against the manufacturer of the boat or the water safety equipment if a defect played part in the accident. This type lawsuit can be referred to as product liability. Your lawyer will be able to examine the evidence of the crash including witness testimony or accident reports, as well as video footage to establish that the defendant was liable.

Time Limits

If you are injured in a boating accident caused by negligence of another, it is important to act swiftly. There are typically strict deadlines for filing a lawsuit or claim that are referred to as statutes of limitation. These vary by state, and are contingent on the type of accident. A knowledgeable maritime lawyer on your side is essential to protect your legal rights.

Even if believe you have suffered any serious injuries, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible after a boating crash. Certain injuries, such as concussions and internal bleeding might not be evident immediately. It is important, including the names and contact numbers of any witnesses. Also, it's a good idea to capture photos of any damage to property or boats and any injuries that occurred.

Our lawyers will investigate your accident to determine what caused it and the person responsible. We will then pursue claims against the parties responsible to seek maximum compensation for your losses. We will look at both economic damages, like medical bills, lost wages and suffering as well as non-economic damages such as loss of enjoyment from your life, pain and discomfort. We will also seek punitive damage if the defendant exhibited an intentional or grossly negligent act.