How a Boat Accident Lawyer Can Help You File a Claim

If you've been injured on water or in the marina or at a marina, a New York boat accident lawyer will help you file a claim. They will offer advice on the strength of your claim and negotiate with insurance companies.

Most boat accident lawsuits are based on negligence. You could be awarded compensation if your attorney can demonstrate the breach of duty and damages.

Damages

Boating accidents can result in serious injuries, just like any other kind of accident. Drowning, oxygen deprivation, brain trauma, fractured bones, whiplash and electrocution are only a few possible injuries. A competent lawyer can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve for these damages.

Similar to car accidents, a boating accident case hinges on proving negligence of the responsible party. An attorney can conduct an extensive investigation, and take pictures of the scene of the accident as well as injuries to prove liability. They can also assist you to find medical records for treatment and other documentation to support your claim. They can also assist you understand comparative liability laws in the event that your situation is impacted.

Boating accidents can cause both economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are ones that are more easily verified, boat accident lawsuits such as the future and past medical costs for your injury. They could also cover any loss of income resulting from your injuries, as well as any changes to your ability to work in the future. Noneconomic damages are more subjective and can include pain and suffering, inconvenience and loss of enjoyment life and emotional distress. A lawyer can help you determine the value of your damages, and file a lawsuit or insurance claim against the parties responsible for your injuries. They also handle cases involving government entities like the Coast Guard or police.

Insurance

Financial burdens can quickly mount when someone is injured in a boating accident. Medical bills can be in the thousands, and when surgery is required the cost could be more costly.

A personal injury lawyer can help injured people get the compensation they require. They can investigate the causes of a boating accident and file the necessary paperwork and bargain with insurance companies in order to receive the most compensation.

Additionally, a boat accident lawyer can determine who is accountable and how much insurance coverage they have. Responsible owners and operators have insurance for liability on boats that can pay for injuries however, not everyone has. Examine your own boating insurance and homeowners insurance policies if you lease or borrow a boat to determine what coverage you are entitled to.

Reporting boat accidents to authorities is very important. A police report is a valid document that can be used to prove negligence as well as other facts in a claim for damages. It is recommended to speak to witnesses in order to collect their statements. It is also helpful to get the names, contact numbers and insurance policy numbers of all parties who were involved in the incident especially the owners of the boats.

Liability

You may be eligible for reimbursement of the medical expenses of the past and in the future when you're the victim of a boating incident. This can include hospital bills and emergency room services. Also, it covers doctor appointments, therapy sessions and medication costs. Your NYC boat accident lawyer will be able to prove these expenses and will ensure that the entire amount of your losses are included in the compensation you receive.

Most injuries in boat accident lawyers accidents are the result of reckless or boat accident lawsuits negligent actions of the owner or operator of the boat. Inadequate safety equipment like lightbulbs for navigation, fire extinguishers or life jackets may cause injuries to be worsened. The claim can also be filed against the manufacturer of a defective vessel or an item on the boat, for instance water skis.

If you've suffered injuries while working on a commercial vessel you could be able to file a claim under the Jones Act. A New York boat accident attorney will evaluate your case and provide you with additional information about this special law. Your lawyer will also negotiate on your behalf with the parties responsible and their lawyers in addition to the insurance companies. If an acceptable settlement cannot be reached your attorney will draft a trial on your behalf to get justice.

Time Limits

There are several laws that govern boating as well as other watercrafts. These laws include driving, passing, and ceding the right-of-way among others. These regulations also require that operators remain sober, avoid overloading or powering their vessels, and discourage risky behaviors such as weaving into traffic or hopping in the wake. Negligent actions by an operator or a person who is involved in a boating accident could result in serious injuries, and even deaths.

A boat accident law firm accident lawyer will guide you through the legal system, analyze the validity of your claim, and safeguard your rights. They can also assist you to pursue monetary compensation for your losses by submitting medical documents and other evidence to prove your claim.

Because a case involving a boat collision involves issues that are adjudicated in accordance with maritime law as well as state personal injury law, it can take longer to settle than an auto accident claim. This is due to the fact that a lawyer must collect eyewitness statements, police reports and other evidence before negotiations can begin. Negotiations in the pre-litigation phase can last anywhere between a few weeks to six months, based on the complexity of the case. If you are an employee of a commercial fishing vessel cruise ship, sightseeing or cruise ship or other kind of worker who is on the water as part of his or her work, you may be eligible for workers' compensation under maritime law. A NY lawyer who handles boat accidents can represent you in these cases.