Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is a fun and exciting recreational activity that is also risky. If negligence leads to an accident the victim and their families could be entitled to compensation for the loss and injuries.

A NYC boat accident lawyer can help injured victims claim the maximum amount of compensation they deserve. A claim includes the need for past medical expenses and other economic damages.

Damages

While many people think of bodies of water similar to the Wild West, there are laws that govern vessels that travel on rivers, lakes and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can be governed by multiple federal and state laws that are considered in determining whether negligence occurred. If a boater is drunk, they could be sued for negligence. There are federal laws that address the issue of pollution and deaths at sea. Additionally, there are special maritime laws, like the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families a pathway to compensation that is comparable to workers' compensation in other industries.

If a loved one was killed in a fatal boat accident family members could sue for damages including loss of companionship and funeral expenses. They can also sue for suffering and pain. Families can collect money to cover medical costs from the past and any future treatment.

If a boat accident caused injuries to you or your loved ones If you or your loved ones were injured, a New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine what damages you could be entitled to claim. A personal injury attorney can review your insurance policy and the policies governing boat liability of the responsible party to determine what compensation you are eligible to receive as part of settlement or a jury verdict. An experienced lawyer will also be able to determine if there are other parties who may be liable, such as the manufacturer or a component of the boat that was faulty.

Liability

In general, injured boaters seek damages to recover medical expenses (past and future) and lost income due to working absences, emotional trauma and suffering and pain. Most serious injuries involve neck and back injuries, brain trauma, broken bones, boat accident paralysis or internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve a variety of individuals who could be responsible for the crash. This includes the boat operator, passengers aboard at the time of accident and other watercrafts or boats involved, the makers of boats and their parts, motors and government agencies that place buoys to warn the public of dangers. An attorney for personal injury is familiar with both state and federal maritime laws in order to determine who is liable for an accident.

Under the Jones Act a worker on the vessel that is injured at sea enjoys the same rights as workers compensation beneficiaries. In the same way, sailors injured in international waters or in the outer continental shelf waters have the right to make a claim under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. State workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers who are injured and families of sailors who have died.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence collected in the early stages of the legal process will help determine the strength and validity of your case. For example, taking photographs of the scene of the accident could be useful in determining the extent of who is responsible and how the boating collision happened. It is also essential to collect information from eyewitnesses, as they can offer valuable evidence that supports your claims.

Medical records are essential to in determining the severity of your injuries as well as the damage that resulted from it. The records should include thorough accounts of doctor and hospital visitations, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments as well as the expenses associated with them. It is also necessary to note any changes to your employment and income capacity as well as other losses that are not financial in nature.

Injuries to the spinal cord and brain are common in boat accidents. These types of injuries could be caused by oxygen deficiency, carbon monoxide poisoning or blunt force trauma that results from hitting the head on places like the propeller or side of the shepherdsville boat accident attorney. In most cases, these injuries can be life-changing.

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

How to File a Claim

While it is important to seek medical attention immediately for injuries following a boat accident but you should not provide an account to an insurance adjuster or any other party without consulting a lawyer. A lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure that you receive the compensation you need for your losses.

The legal process for seeking compensation for a boating accident is to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the person or parties who are responsible. This typically involves presenting evidence to support a claim for economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages include the costs of medical treatment and other expenses associated with the accident, including lost earnings due to missed work. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering and other intangible damages that are more difficult to quantify.

In some instances, Boat Accident the manufacturer of a boat or one of its components may be held accountable for an accident in the event of a product that was defectively made or designed. A New York boating accident lawyer can investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In certain instances the boat's operator might not be held responsible for a collision. Boat owners can also be held accountable, especially when the owner is responsible for the hiring and training of the person who operates their vessel, or when a person who is not fit to operate a boat is allowed on their property.