How a Boat Accident Lawyer Can Help You File a Claim

Whether you're injured on the water or in the marina, a New York boat accident lawyer can assist you in filing an insurance claim. They'll offer advice, assess the potential of your case, and negotiate with insurance companies.

Most boat accident lawsuits involve negligence. If your attorney can prove that there was a breach of duty, causation, and damages, you could receive compensation.

Damages

Boating accidents can cause serious injuries, just as any other kind of accident. The types of injuries that can result are drowning, oxygen deprivation injuries, fractured bones and brain trauma. A lawyer with experience can help you obtain the amount of compensation you are entitled to for these losses.

Similar to car accidents, an injury involving a boat is contingent on proving the negligence of responsible party. An attorney can conduct a thorough investigation and take photographs of the scene of the accident and your injuries to establish the liability. They can also assist you in locating medical records and other documentation that will back your claim. They can also assist you to learn about comparative negligence laws if they apply to your particular situation.

Boating accidents can result in both economic and noneconomic damage. Economic damages are more easily verifiable such as past and future medical expenses for your injury. They could also cover any loss of income resulting from your injuries and changes to your ability to work in the future. Noneconomic damages are more subjective and can include the suffering and inconvenience or loss of enjoyment in life and emotional distress. An attorney can help you calculate the value of your losses, and submit a lawsuit or insurance claim against the party responsible for your injuries. They also handle cases involving government entities such as the Coast Guard and police.

Insurance

The financial burden can quickly grow when someone is injured in an accident with a boat. Medical bills can cost in the thousands and, when surgery is required the cost could be more expensive.

A personal injury lawyer can assist injured victims receive the compensation they need. They can investigate and file the necessary paperwork to the case of a boating accident. They can also negotiate with insurance companies in order to receive the maximum amount of compensation.

An attorney who handles boat accidents can also determine who is at fault and what insurance coverage each party has. Not all boat owners and operators carry liability insurance to cover injuries. People who lease or borrow boats should look over their homeowners and boating insurance policies to find out how much protection they have.

It is vital to report any boat accidents to the authorities. A police report can be used to establish negligence as well as other facts when submitting an action for damages. It is also a good idea to speak to witnesses in order to get their accounts. It is also helpful to collect the names, contact information and insurance policy numbers for boat accident lawsuits all parties involved in the accident especially the owners of the boats.

Liability

You could be entitled to reimbursement of past and future medical expenses in the event that you're a victim of a boating incident. This includes hospital bills and emergency room services. Also, it covers doctor appointments, therapy sessions and medication costs. Your NYC boat accident lawyer will investigate these expenses and will ensure that the full extent of your losses are included in your compensation payout.

The majority of injuries that occur in boat accidents result from either negligent or reckless behavior by a boat accident law firm owner or operator. Some injuries are exacerbated due to the lack of the safety equipment required, such as life jackets, fire extinguishers, or navigational lights. A claim could also be filed against a manufacturer of a defective vessel or an item on the boat, for instance water skis.

If you've suffered injuries on the commercial vessel, you may qualify to claim an Jones Act claim. A knowledgeable New York boat accident lawyer will examine the particulars of your case and can provide you with more details on this special law. Your lawyer will also negotiate on behalf of you with the parties responsible and their lawyers and the insurance companies. If the fair settlement isn't reached, your attorney will prepare an appeal on your behalf to seek justice.

Time Limits

There are many laws that govern boating as well as other watercrafts. These laws cover driving, passing and giving the right of way, among other things. These regulations also require boaters to remain sober, avoid overloading or overpowering their vessels, and discourage risky behaviors such as weaving into traffic or hopping in the wake. Negligent actions by an operator or any other person involved in a boating incident could result in serious injuries, and even deaths.

A lawyer who is experienced in boat accidents can guide you through the legal process, determine the strength of your case, and defend your rights. They can also assist in pursuing monetary compensation by providing medical documentation and other evidence.

A case involving a boat accident could take longer to resolve because it involves issues that are determined according to maritime law and state personal injury laws. The reason for this is that lawyers must collect eyewitness statements, police reports and other documents before negotiations can begin. Depending on the nature of the case, pre-litigation negotiations could last between a few weeks and six months. If you are an employee of a commercial fishing vessel, cruise or sightseeing ship or other kind of worker who is working on the water as part of his or her work, you may be eligible for workers' compensation under maritime law. A NY boat accident attorney can also assist with these claims.