Diving is generally a risky activity, whether for professional or recreational divers. It requires spending considerable time underwater for fun or a critical purpose like searches, surveys, or repairs. Divers are consistently at risk of injuries and death, hence the need for insurance coverage. The protection helps them obtain treatment and compensation for other losses and damages in case of an accident or death.

You can pursue compensation after a diving accident by filing an insurance claim. Ensure that your compensation is fair by evaluating your damages and considering any future expenses related to the accident. Insurance companies are often unwilling to provide a fair settlement to maximize profits. However, a skilled personal injury attorney can fight for your deserved compensation.

The Need for Compensation after a Diving Accident

Diving accidents are prevalent, even with highly trained and professional divers. When they occur, they result in severe injuries that take a very long time and cost a lot of money to heal. Some diving accidents result in death, leaving families counting significant losses after the loss of a loved one. Insurance coverages for divers are encouraged to pay for damages incurred after a diving accident. When you or someone you love is injured in a diving accident, you can file a claim with your insurance provider for full compensation.

Pursuing compensation through an insurance claim is possible even without legal representation. However, the legal processes involved are long and complex. You could miss a deadline or fail to provide the required documents or information, jeopardizing your chances of obtaining full compensation for your damages. A skilled personal injury attorney is highly recommended to smoothen the legal process. Your attorney will also ensure you have the necessary documents. They will file your claims within the required timelines to improve your chances of obtaining a fair settlement. Your attorney will also know what to do if an insurance company is unwilling to offer a fair compensation.

Damages incurred in a diving accident are costly. You will likely spend considerable money on treatment and related costs. You could also miss out on opportunities to earn a living as you recover from your injuries. Some divers lose their ability to earn a living, making them dependent on others. The costs are more than you can afford on your own. However, your damages will be well covered if you have insurance coverage. Insurance companies exist for such eventualities. You can recover full compensation for all your resulting damages to ensure that you receive proper treatment and adequate financial support until you recover fully.

An Overview of Diving Insurance Coverages Available in California

Divers in California have options regarding the types of insurance coverage they can take to protect themselves in the event of an accident. The different coverages are for specific types of accidents. It helps to speak to a skilled attorney before taking an insurance policy to ensure all your needs are well-considered. When pursuing compensation, your attorney will also discuss your options according to your insurance coverage. Here are common insurance coverages for divers:

Travel Insurance

You could cover yourself against diving accidents under travel insurance. Most travel insurances cover expenses and costs associated with diving accidents, including medical and evacuation costs. A diver can opt for this insurance coverage if their work or recreation sometimes takes them to international locations or remote areas.

Diving Insurance

This coverage benefits people who frequently dive for commercial or recreational purposes. It covers accidents related to diving and can cover a wide range of expenses, including medical transportation, hyperbaric treatment, and other costs injured divers incur.

Health Insurance

This general insurance coverage caters to costs related to your general well-being. You can claim compensation when you fall sick or after a diving accident. However, you must ensure that your health insurance covers injuries sustained during diving, especially recreational diving.

Life Insurance

This coverage can help divers participate in high-risk activities for fun or commercial purposes. An additional life insurance policy can help in case you lose your life in a diving accident. Your beneficiaries can recover enough compensation to cover your medical expenses and other financial needs necessitated by your demise.

Although these insurance coverages serve almost the same purpose, they are designed differently. Each coverage has unique features, which you must understand in order to file a claim after an accident. A skilled personal injury attorney can help you understand your insurance coverage's unique limitations and rules to secure maximum compensation.

How To File a Compensation Claim after a Diving Accident

A diving accident can result in devastating injuries that could cause you to spend a long time in the hospital seeking treatment. Your treatment and other related expenses can be costly for you or your family. Fortunately, you can file for compensation if you have diving insurance coverage. The money you recover can cover your treatment expenses and other needs that the accident necessitated. However, you can only recover compensation if you follow a laid-down process through the personal injury laws. A skilled personal injury attorney will guide you on what to do to file a successful claim:

Notify Your Insurer

Insurance companies require notice of an accident immediately after it happens. This gives them time to investigate your claim and provide the necessary compensation when you need treatment. Notifying your insurance provider about the accident immediately also makes your claim legitimate. If you take a long time to do this, it will be difficult to convince the company that you were injured in a diving accident.

Also, starting the legal process early ensures you have everything ready before the deadline set by the statute of limitations.

Provide Necessary Documents

You must provide documents demonstrating the insurance company’s liability in your diving accident. For example, you can give a copy of your insurance certificate and diving log, diving master report, and any other documents the insurance company needs to verify your claim.

Your insurance provider will also need evidence of your accident and all the damages you have incurred. Documents that detail the kind of injuries you incurred and the treatment you have received, are receiving, and will receive in the future is critical. Prepare and file all documents that support your claim. Give your insurer an idea of how much you have spent on treatment. This makes your claim genuine and sets the pace for the legal process.

You could also provide a statement of your accident to the insurance company to explain how your injuries occurred. You can make a statement or give an eyewitness statement to support your claim.

Follow Up With the Insurance Adjuster

Once you notify the insurance company about the accident, an insurance adjuster will investigate the claim and determine the amount you should receive in compensation. Insurance adjusters serve the best interests of insurance companies. This means they will do anything possible to refute your claim or provide a low settlement. You must carefully deal with them to ensure you receive your deserved compensation.

Receiving an insurance settlement is usually not a simple process. Your involvement goes beyond merely filing a claim and waiting for the settlement to be paid in your bank account. You must talk to and meet with the insurance adjuster several times to answer critical questions and negotiate a favorable settlement.

Once you provide all the details of your claim to the insurance adjuster, you must follow up to ensure your case progresses smoothly. You could be required to submit additional documents or provide more information to complete the process. Complying with these requirements will improve your chances of obtaining your deserved compensation.

Improving Your Chances of Receiving Full Compensation after a Diving Accident

Having insurance coverage does not guarantee compensation after a diving accident. You must do everything right when filing your claim to receive a fair settlement from your insurance company. Some mistakes could also affect your compensation. You should be aware of what to do and not do to avoid missing out on a chance to enjoy a fair settlement. Here are some strategies that could help you obtain full compensation.

Receiving Medical Treatment Immediately After the Accident

If you have been injured in a diving accident, you must seek medical treatment immediately. This is proof of your injuries, which will work in your favor when filing for compensation. A delay in seeking treatment will cause the insurance company to question whether your injuries are related to the diving accident. It could also indicate that you were not injured as you claim to be. Thus, allow a medical professional to examine you at the accident scene. Also, allow yourself to be taken to the hospital or emergency room. Accept any medical care offered to you after the accident.

Report the Accident and Gather Evidence

Remember to notify the insurance company about the accident. You could also inform the authorities to ensure that the cause of the accident, circumstances, and your injuries are investigated. A police report can also support your claim when seeking compensation from your insurer. Gather as much evidence as you can. You can document your injuries by taking pictures or videos. If you are too injured to do that, ask someone to take photos on your behalf.

Additionally, you can take witness statements about the accident and your injuries.

Maintain Good Records of Your Accident Costs

You should have elaborate records of all your medical bills, prescription receipts, transportation receipts to and from the doctor’s appointment, and costs of any medical equipment you need after the accident, like crutches. Include any out-of-pocket payments that relate to the account. You will need these details when providing the value of your claim to your insurance company. Have a clear record of any quantifiable damage directly related to the accident.

If you could not work due to your injuries, have a clear record of the number of days you missed work and how much you would have earned in those days. Your employer can provide an official document to confirm those details. If you have lost your earning capacity, you should be able to prove it in your claim.

Being organized from the beginning of the accident makes it easy to account for all the damages you have incurred in the accident.

Consult an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

Filing an insurance claim when injured can be tricky because the process is not as simple as it seems. You must obtain, prepare, and file the required documents. You must also be willing and ready to talk to an insurance adjuster whenever they need information or clarification. Filing an insurance claim is also complex and challenging to navigate alone. You need the assistance of a skilled personal injury attorney to navigate the process and file a successful claim.

Thus, you can start the process by hiring an attorney for advice and guidance. Your attorney will also fight for your best interests throughout. They will increase your chances of obtaining the compensation you deserve.

The Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney

Legal professionals have the skills and experience you lack when going through a legal process. They save you time and ensure you know what to do at any stage for a successful outcome. A personal injury attorney is also familiar with the underlying laws to ensure you follow the required guidelines when pursuing compensation after a diving accident. They can review your case to determine whether you have a viable claim. They can also inform you of your rights and protect them from violation.

A personal injury attorney can also take over the legal process if you have been severely injured, allowing you time to recover as they pursue your settlement. Here are other benefits you will likely enjoy from working with a skilled personal injury attorney:

You Can Recover Maximum compensation With Their Help

Remember that a settlement from an insurance company is not always guaranteed after a diving accident. You must demonstrate your eligibility to receive total compensation. This includes providing the required proof of injury and negotiating for favorable compensation.

Since insurance providers usually make profits, they will not willingly pay full compensation. However, an aggressive attorney can seamlessly negotiate for full compensation with the insurance adjuster. They will also ensure you have included all your damages in your claim and filed it within the required timeline. They will provide all the information and documents your insurer needs to process your settlement.

Your attorney will also advise you against mistakes that could affect your claim. For example, they will insist on seeking immediate treatment, as delays in receiving treatment could affect your settlement. They will also help you gather irrefutable evidence that will increase your compensation.

An Attorney Will Streamline the Complex Legal Process

No one understands the legal processes better than experienced personal injury attorneys. They handle cases like yours daily, making it easy for them to navigate complex legal processes successfully. An experienced attorney will know best how to handle an insurance adjuster. They will also know what to do right after your accident to start the legal process. If an insurance company refuses to pay your compensation, your attorney will know the right laws to push for a settlement. If the company offers a lower settlement than you deserve, the attorney will know the law to use to compel your insurer to cover all your damages.

Your Attorney will Communicate with the Insurer On Your Behalf

Knowing where to start with the legal process could be problematic if it is your first time dealing with an insurance company. However, a skilled personal injury attorney can help because they have undergone similar processes. They will know what needs to be done first, including notifying the insurance company about the accident and ensuring you receive treatment. They will also handle the insurance adjuster on your behalf, answer questions on your behalf, and provide the information needed to prepare your settlement. Dealing with an insurance adjuster can be intimidating, but an attorney can handle it as you focus on your recovery.

Find a Competent Personal Injury Attorney Near Me

If you or someone you love has been injured in a diving accident, you need help to file a successful insurance claim. This is because the legal processes are complex and do not guarantee success. The compensation will cover any damage you incur from the accident, including medical costs and lost income. A skilled attorney can help improve your chances of success so you receive full compensation for all your damages.

We handle all insurance claims at The Personal Injury Attorney Law Firm. We help our clients receive the best medical treatment, gather evidence, and file claims within the required timelines. We also protect their rights and fight for them until they are satisfied with the settlement. Call us at 800-492-6718 if you need our help from any part of California. Our skilled and experienced attorneys will ensure your best interests are served at every step of the legal process.