boat accident attorneys Accident Litigation

Boating is a fun and thrilling recreational activity that can be dangerous. If negligence leads to an accident the victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for the loss and injuries.

A NYC boat accident lawyer can assist injured victims in obtaining the amount of damages they deserve. A claim will include an obligation to pay for medical expenses as well as other financial damages.

Damages

While many people think of waters like the Wild West, there are laws that govern the vessels that travel on rivers, lakes, and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents may be governed by a variety of federal and state laws that are weighed in determining if negligence occurred. If a boat driver is drunk, they could be liable for negligence. There are also federal laws that deal with death and pollution at sea. Additionally, there are special maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families access to compensation similar to workers' compensation in other industries.

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

A New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine if you or your loved one was injured during an accident on the boat. A personal injury lawyer will review your insurance coverage as well as the responsible party's boat liability policies to determine the amount of compensation you might be entitled to receive in a settlement or verdict. A lawyer with experience will also be able to determine if there other parties that could be liable, like the manufacturer, or even a part of the boat that was faulty.

Liability

In general, boaters who are injured seek compensation to cover medical costs (past and future) as well as lost earnings due to absence from work emotional trauma, and suffering and pain. Most serious injuries involve back and neck injury, brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis or internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve many parties that could be held responsible for the crash. This includes the operator of the boat, passengers who were aboard at the time of the accident as well as other watercraft or boats involved, manufacturers of boats as well as their parts, engines and government agencies who place buoys to warn people about dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer can be familiar with the specifics of both state law and federal maritime laws to determine who may be held accountable in the event of a collision.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a boat who suffers an injury at sea is entitled to compensation that are similar to those of workers' compensation beneficiaries. Similar, sailors injured in international waters or outer continental shelf waters are entitled to file claims under the Jones Act as well as other maritime regulations of the federal government. Injured maritime workers and family members of sailors who have passed away are entitled to compensation under state workers law on compensation.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence collected during the initial stages of the legal process could help you determine the strength of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident can help establish liability and help determine how the boating incident occurred. It's also important to obtain evidence from eyewitnesses, since they can provide valuable testimony which can back up your claims.

Medical records are crucial for understanding the severity of your injuries, and the damage that resulted from it. These records should include thorough accounts of hospital and boat accident lawyer doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, and the cost associated with these. You will also need to record any changes to your income or employment as well as other losses that are not financial in nature.

Boat accidents are frequently linked to spinal cord injuries. These injuries may be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation, or blunt force trauma when the head hits the propeller of the boat. Often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other kinds of marine injuries include mechanical problems, such as engine failure or electrical failure in steering, abrasions, and problems with gear shifts. Our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will analyze these cases to determine whether the manufacturer can be accountable for the injuries suffered by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

You should seek medical attention right away following an accident on the water. However, it is recommended to consult with a lawyer prior to giving an admission to the insurance adjuster or any other person. Your lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure that you are compensated in a fair manner for the damage.

To seek compensation after a boating accident you must submit an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the party(ies) responsible. This typically includes presenting evidence to support a claim for economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages may include medical costs and other expenses that result from the accident, including lost earnings due to missed work. Non-economic damages include pain, suffering, and other types of intangible loss that can be difficult to quantify.

In certain instances, a boat manufacturer, or a part of the boat could be held accountable for an accident if their product was created or manufactured in a manner that was not safe. A New York boating accident lawyer will investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In certain situations the boat accident lawsuit's owner might not be held responsible for a collision. The owner of the vessel could be held accountable too, particularly if they are responsible for hiring or training the person who operates their boat or allow someone who is not fit to operate the boat on their property.