Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is an enjoyable and thrilling recreational activity that can be risky. If a negligent act leads to an accident, the victims and their families may be entitled to financial compensation for the injuries and losses.

A NYC boat accident attorney can assist injured victims in getting the compensation they deserve. A claim includes the need for past medical expenses as well as other economic damages.

Damages

While many people imagine bodies of water like the Wild West, there are laws that govern vessels on lakes, rivers, and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents may be a result of many federal and state laws that are considered when determining the degree of negligence. If a boat driver is drunk, they could be liable for negligence. There are also federal laws that address death and pollution at sea. There are maritime regulations, like the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with a similar compensation options to other industries.

If a loved one died in a fatal boat accident family members can sue to recover damages, including lost companionship and funeral expenses. They can also sue for suffering and pain. Families may also seek compensation for past medical bills as well as future medical expenses.

If a boat accident has caused injuries to you or your loved ones and loved ones, a New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine the kind of damages you might be entitled to claim. A personal injury lawyer will review your insurance coverage and boat accident attorney the responsible party's policies on boat liability to determine the amount of compensation you might be entitled to receive in a settlement or verdict. In addition, an experienced lawyer can determine if there are any other parties that may be liable for the accident such as the manufacturer of a defective boat or boat component.

Liability

In general, boaters who are injured seek damages to recover medical costs (past and future) as well as lost income resulting from the absence of work emotional trauma and suffering and pain. Injuries that are serious typically involve neck and back injuries and brain trauma, fractured bones, paralysis and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents often involve multiple parties who could have legal responsibility for a accident, including the vessel's operator, passengers aboard at the time of the incident along with other watercraft and vessels involved in the collision, the makers of the boats and their components or engines and even the government agencies that are responsible for putting up buoys that warn of the dangers of conditions. A personal injury lawyer will be familiar with federal and state maritime laws to determine who is responsible in the event of an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a vessel who is injured at sea has rights to a compensation equal to that of workers' compensation recipients. Similarly, sailors who are injured in international waters or in the outer continental shelf waters are entitled to submit a claim under Jones Act and boat accident attorney other federal maritime regulations. Workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers who are injured and the families of sailors who have died.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence collected in the beginning stages of the legal process could help determine the strength of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident will help determine the liability and establish how the boating incident occurred. Eyewitnesses also can provide crucial information that can support your claim.

Medical records are crucial for finding out the extent of your injuries and the related damages. These records should include detailed reports of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments, and the expenses associated with these. You should document the changes in your income and job capacity, as well for any other financial loss.

Boat accidents are usually associated with brain and spinal cord injuries. These injuries can result from carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation, or blunt force trauma, when the head is struck by the propeller of the boat. These injuries can cause life-altering impact.

Other types of marine injuries include mechanical issues, like engine failure or electrical failure in steering, abrasions, and gear shift issues. In these instances, our NYC boating accident lawyers will determine if a company should be held liable for the injuries suffered by victims of accidents.

Making a Claim

You should seek medical attention as soon as you notice an accident on the water. However, it is recommended to consult a lawyer before giving an account to the insurance adjuster or any other party. An attorney can help protect your rights, and ensure that you receive the proper compensation for any damages.

The legal process to seek compensation in the event of a boating accident is to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the person or parties who are accountable. This usually includes the presentation of evidence to support a claim for financial and non-economic damages. Economic damages are medical expenses and other expenses incurred as a result of the accident, which includes lost income due to missed work. Noneconomic damages include pain and suffering, as well as other losses that are more difficult to quantify.

In certain instances, a boat manufacturer, or an element of the boat could be held liable for an accident when their product was manufactured or designed in a defective manner. A skilled New York boating injury lawyer can investigate whether product liability is involved and pursue compensation from the parties responsible.

In some instances, it is not just the boat's operator that could be held accountable for the event of a crash. The owner of the vessel is liable too, particularly when they are accountable for hiring or training the person who operates their craft or if they permit someone who isn't fit to operate an unfit boat to use their property.