boat accident law firm Accident Attorneys

If you've suffered injuries in an accident on the water that wasn't your fault, you could be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. This could include physical therapy, medical bills and loss of income because of your inability to work.

Certain victims may also be awarded punitive damages in the event that the defendant's behavior was reckless and indecent. These awards are designed to punish the defendant for their actions and to discourage future offenses.

Personal Injury

Accidents on the water can cause serious injuries but many are preventable. Boat accidents are usually caused by inexperienced and untrained boaters, and other reckless choices such as driving under the influence of alcohol, carrying more than one person, and reckless behavior. The severity of the injuries vary from minor bruises to paralysis resulting from brain or spinal cord injuries.

Victims of boating accidents are entitled to compensation for their medical bills and loss of income or work during their recovery from injuries. If their injuries are severe they may also recover costs for long-term medical care. Unfortunately finding out the value of an injury claim is not a simple task and insurance companies often try to offer less than what victims need to receive. A skilled attorney can assist you in negotiating for the highest amount of compensation possible.

A New York City boating accident lawyer will conduct an extensive investigation into the accident in order to collect all relevant evidence. This includes collecting important documents, such as witness statements and police reports along with logs of vessel maintenance chemical tests, photographs of the scene of the accident and the property damage. Other vital information can be gathered from medical records that include detailed reports of the injuries suffered, expenses incurred, and estimates of future costs. The lawyer may then bargain with the party at fault or the insurance company for a fair settlement.

Maritime Workers' Compensation

Maritime workers working on workboats as well as other vessels, such as supply ships, are subject to hazardous conditions throughout their work. They are at risk of getting injured not only from cargo or equipment falling as well as boat accidents caused by the negligence or inattention of other passengers on board the vessel.

The Jones Act and other federal statutes protect seamen from negligence by employers. They are entitled to full compensation under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. These damages may include medical expenses as well as lost income, the cost of living while recovering, pain and suffering and other benefits monetary.

In many cases, injured seamen on supply vessels, tugboats, dredgers, oil tanks, barges cruise or sightseeing boats need more than workers' compensation in order to pay for vimeo.com their expenses. A New York boat accident attorney will be able to identify third-party claims a seaman may be eligible for like claims of unreliability or the employer's inability to keep a safe vessel.

Your attorney will gather important documents and evidence that pertain to your claim, like medical records, insurance policy information or police reports, among others. They will then engage in settlement negotiations with the lawyer of the defendant and the insurance company on your behalf. If a fair settlement is not reached, they will then prepare an argument that is strong enough to be tried on your behalf.

Product Defects

While the majority of boat crashes occur because of negligent or reckless behavior on the part of the boat owner, there are also many instances where a crash is actually the result of faulty equipment. In these cases, victims can sue the company that made the defective product to seek compensation. In these cases, a Reston, VA product defect lawyer can assist.

Defective boats and equipment may be covered under strict liability, negligence, or warranty law. A warranty claim may be based on a violation of implied or express guarantees made by law, such as the New Jersey lemon laws for used vehicles, vn.easypanme.com or the guarantees of merchantability or the fit and finish of the Uniform Commercial Code.

Latent defects are typically covered by insurance policies, too. While some individuals may assert that a problem is evident or obvious and obvious, courts typically require expert testimony by an engineer or other qualified professional to determine whether the mechanical breakdown or damage resulted from an unnoticed condition.

There are some defects that are discovered after the boat is sold. These are usually considered to be manufacturing defects and are the responsibility of the manufacturer. Some are discovered after the boat was operated and owned and could be the fault of the owner. One example is when the owner doesn't empty the water from the engine and the water freezes and affects the motor in winter.

Insurance

Boating and other water sports are popular in New York, a state that has easy access to the Atlantic Ocean and many lakes. As with all recreational activities there are risks and responsibilities to be considered.

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

Insurance companies involved in a boating collision case can be difficult to deal with, especially when their primary goal is to pay you as little as possible. Hire an NYC boating accident attorney who will work closely with insurance companies to hold all parties responsible for their actions.

An experienced attorney will go over all evidence available such as police reports and medical records. They will also examine witnesses' testimony. They will then engage in negotiations with both the at-fault person and their insurance company in order to negotiate an acceptable settlement. If they are unable reach an agreement, our attorneys will prepare for trial. We are proficient in presenting evidence in support of your claim and winning the highest amount of money.