Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be a thrilling and enjoyable leisure activity, but it is also dangerous. If a negligent decision leads to an accident, the victim and their families could be entitled to compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC lawyer for boat accidents can help injured victims demand the amount of damages they are entitled to. A claim may include past medical expenses, as well as other economic damages.

Damages

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

If a loved one was killed in a boating accident, the family members may sue on their behalf for damages that include lost companionship, funeral expenses as well as pain and loss. Families can also recover money for past medical bills as well as future treatment costs.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you to determine whether you or a loved ones were injured in an accident on the water. A personal injury lawyer will examine your insurance policy and the policies on boat liability of the responsible party to determine what compensation you are eligible to receive as part of the settlement or verdict of a jury. A knowledgeable lawyer can determine if there are any additional parties who may be accountable for the accident, including the manufacturer of the boat or component.

Liability

In general, boaters who are injured seek compensation to cover medical costs (past and future), lost income from working absences emotional trauma and suffering and pain. Serious injuries include neck and back injuries as well as brain traumas, fractured bones, and Boat Accident Law Firms internal organ damage.

Boating accidents usually involve multiple parties that could be liable for legal responsibility for a collision, including the boat accident attorney's operator, any passengers on board at the time of the incident, other boats and watercraft involved in the collision, manufacturers of the boats and their parts or engines and even authorities responsible for putting buoys to warn of hazardous conditions. A personal injury lawyer is well-versed in both state and federal maritime laws to determine who is at fault in an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a vessel who suffers an injury at sea has rights to compensation similar to those of workers' compensation beneficiaries. Similar, sailors injured in international waters, or outer continental shelf waters are entitled to submit claims under the Jones Act as well as other federal maritime regulations. Families of injured maritime workers as well as relatives of sailors who died have claims under state worker insurance laws.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence gathered during the early stages of the legal process can aid in determining the strength and viability of your case. For instance, taking pictures of the scene of the accident can help determine the liability as well as establishing how the boating collision happened. Eyewitnesses also can provide important information to help you prove your claim.

Medical records are essential to determining the extent of your injuries as well as the damage that resulted from it. These records should include precise details of hospital and doctor visits as well as rehabilitation procedures, surgeries, and costs associated with them. You will need to document the changes in your income and employment capacity, as well for any other financial loss.

Injuries to the spinal cord and brain are common in boat collisions. These types of injuries could be caused by oxygen deficiency carbon monoxide poisoning or blunt force trauma from hitting the head on places like the propeller, or on the side of the boat. These injuries can have a life-changing impact.

Other types of marine injuries include mechanical problems, such as electrical or engine failure, steering problems, and gear shift issues. In these cases, our NYC boating accident lawyers will determine if a manufacturer can be held accountable for the injuries sustained by victims of accidents.

The process of filing a claim

While it is essential to seek medical attention for injuries immediately following a boat accident but you should not provide a statement to an insurance adjuster or another party without consulting with a lawyer. A lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve for any damages.

The legal procedure to seek compensation for boat Accident Law Firms a boating accident involves filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the person or parties who are responsible. This typically includes providing evidence to back a claim for economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those incurred as a result of medical treatment as well as other costs associated with the accident, for example lost earnings from work missed. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering, and other intangible loss that can be difficult to quantify.

In some instances, the manufacturer of a boat or one of its components could be held responsible for an accident in the event of a product that was defectively made or designed. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer can investigate whether product liability is involved and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In some cases the Boat Accident Law Firms owner may not be held accountable for an accident. The owner of a vessel is liable also, particularly in the event that they are responsible for hiring or training the person operating their craft or if they allow a person who is not fit to operate the vessel on their premises.