Boat Accident Attorneys

If you've been injured in a boating accident, and it was not your fault, you could be entitled to a substantial payout. This could include physical therapy, medical bills as well as loss of income due to the inability to work.

Certain victims may also be awarded punitive damages if the defendant's conduct was reckless and indecent. These types of awards are crafted to punish the defendant and discourage similar behavior in the future.

Personal Injury

Although boating accidents may cause serious injuries, a majority of them are preventable. Untrained and inexperienced boaters are the most common cause of boat accident attorneys accidents, as are other careless choices such as driving under the influence, bringing too many passengers, or reckless behavior. The injuries can range from minor bruises to paralysis caused by spinal cord or brain injury.

The victims of a boating accident are entitled to compensation for medical expenses and loss of work or income while they recover from injuries. If their injuries last for a long time, they can also recover costs for long-term care. Insurance companies typically try to settle for less money than the victims are entitled to when estimating a claim's value. An experienced lawyer can fight for the maximum settlement possible.

A New York City boating accident lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident to collect all relevant evidence. This includes collecting important documents, like witness statements and police reports as well as logs of maintenance for the vessel chemical tests, photographs of the accident scene and the property damage. Other vital information can be obtained from medical records including detailed accounts of the injuries sustained, expenses incurred, and estimated future costs. Lawyers can bargain with the party at fault or the insurance company for an equitable settlement.

Maritime Workers' Compensation

Maritime workers working on workboats and other vessels, including supply ships, are subject to hazardous conditions throughout their employment. In addition to being injured by falling equipment or cargo, they are also at risk for boat accidents caused by the negligent or reckless conduct of other passengers on the vessel.

Seamen have rights that are specific to them under the Jones Act and other federal laws that protect them from the negligence of employers. When they suffer injuries from these types of incidents, they are entitled to full compensation under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA). These damages can include medical expenses, lost income, cost of living while recovering, pain and suffering and other benefits monetary.

Often, seamen who are injured on supply vessels, tugboats, dredgers, oil tanks, barges, cruise or sightseeing boats need more than workers' compensation to compensate for their losses. A knowledgeable New York boat accident lawyer can identify other third-party claims that a seamen could be eligible for compensation, including allegations of insecurities and the employer's failure to keep an appropriate vessel.

Your attorney will collect crucial documents and evidence that pertain to your claim, like medical records and insurance policy information or police reports, among others. They will then negotiate an agreement with the attorney of the defendant and the insurance company you have named. If a fair and reasonable settlement cannot be reached then they will prepare for trial to present a strong case in court on behalf of you.

Product Defects

Although the majority of boat accidents happen because of reckless or negligent behavior on the part of the boat accident lawsuits operator, there are also many instances where a crash was actually the result of faulty equipment. In such cases, the victims may seek compensation from the company that made the defective product in a lawsuit. In these instances, a Reston, VA product defect lawyer can help.

Defective equipment and boats can be covered under strict liability, negligence or warranty law. A warranty claim can be based on a violation of express or implied guarantees made by law, such as the New Jersey lemon laws for automobiles used for boat accident attorneys sale or the warranties of merchantability or quality and fit under Uniform Commercial Code.

Insurance policies can cover nebulous defects too. While some consumers may suggest that an issue is evident or obvious, courts typically require an expert witness from a surveyor, or any other certified professional to determine if the mechanical breakdown or another damage was caused by a hidden condition.

Certain defects are discovered after a boat is sold. These defects are typically considered manufacturing defects, and the manufacturer is accountable for them. They are often discovered after the boat has been owned and operated and could be the fault of the owner. One instance is when the owner fails to emptying of the engine of water and the water gets frozen and causes damage to the motor during the winter.

Insurance

In a state such as New York with easy access to the Atlantic Ocean and numerous lakes and waterways, boating and other water recreation activities are common for residents. Like any other recreational activity, boat accident attorneys there are risks and liabilities involved.

Injured people can file a personal injuries claim or wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages. Medical expenses loss of income, property losses, as well as suffering and pain are all examples of damages. Victims can also demand punitive damages in the event of gross negligence or reckless behavior by the party at fault.

Insurance companies aren't always easy to work with in a boating dispute particularly when their primary goal is to pay as little as possible. Employ a NYC lawyer for a boating accident who will work closely with insurers to hold everyone accountable for their actions.

An experienced attorney will thoroughly review all available evidence including police reports, medical records and witness testimony. They will then enter into discussions with both the at-fault person and their insurance company to reach an acceptable settlement. If they fail to reach a settlement, our attorneys will prepare for trial. We are skilled at presenting evidence in support of your claim and obtaining the maximum financial award.