Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be a thrilling and fun recreational activity, but it is also dangerous. If negligence causes an accident the victims and their families could be entitled to compensation for the loss and injuries.

A NYC boat accident attorney can assist injured victims to receive the full amount they deserve. A claim includes a demand for past medical expenses as well as other financial damages.

Damages

While many people associate bodies of water with the Wild West in the United States, there are laws governing the boats on rivers and lakes as well as oceans. Boat accidents may be governed by a variety of federal and state laws that are taken into consideration in determining if negligence took place. For instance, if a lincolnwood boat accident lawsuit operator was drunk, this could make them vulnerable to civil action for negligence. There are also federal laws that address pollution and deaths at sea. Furthermore, there are specific maritime regulations like the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families access to compensation that is similar to workers who receive compensation in other industries.

If a loved one died in a tragic boat accident family members can sue for damages, including lost companionship and funeral expenses. They can also sue for suffering and pain. Families can also recover money for past medical bills as well as future medical expenses.

If a boating accident has caused injuries to you or your loved ones A New York City boat accident attorney can help you determine what damages you could be entitled to claim. A personal injury lawyer can review your insurance coverage as well as the responsible party's boat liability policy to determine the type of damages you could be entitled to in a settlement or a verdict. An experienced lawyer will also be able to determine if there other parties that could be liable, such as the manufacturer or part of the boat that was defective.

Liability

Typically, injured boaters seek damages to recover medical expenses (past and expected), lost income because of time lost from work in pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and boat accident attorney damages to their boats. Injuries that are serious include back and neck injuries, brain traumas, broken bones and boat accident attorney internal organ damage.

Accidents involving boats can involve many people who could be held liable for the crash. These include the boat's operator, passengers on board at the time of the collision and other watercrafts or boats involved, the manufacturers of boats and their components, engines and government agencies that set up buoys to warn people about dangers. A personal injury lawyer is aware of the rules and regulations of both state law and federal maritime laws to determine who might be liable in a collision.

Under the Jones Act a worker on the vessel that is injured on the sea has similar rights as workers compensation beneficiaries. Additionally, sailors injured in international waters or in the outer continental shelf waters have the right to claim compensation under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. The state workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers injured and the families of sailors who have died.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence collected during the early stages of the legal process can aid in determining the strength and validity of your case. For instance, taking photographs of the scene of the accident can be useful in determining the degree of who is responsible and the circumstances of the boating accident. Eyewitnesses can also provide crucial information that can back your claim.

Medical records are crucial for understanding the severity of your injuries, and the damage that resulted from it. The records should include thorough accounts of doctor and hospital visits, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments as well as the expenses associated with them. You'll need to record any changes in your income or job capacity, as well in any other losses that are not financial.

Boat accidents are typically related to brain and spinal cord injuries. These injuries may be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma if your head strikes the propeller of the boat. These injuries could have a life-changing impact.

Other types of marine injuries involve mechanical issues, for example engine failure or electrical failure in steering, abrasions, and problems with gear shifts. In these instances our NYC boating accident lawyers will determine if a company should be held responsible for injuries suffered by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

You should seek medical attention right away following an accident on the water. However, you should consult a lawyer prior to submitting an account to the insurance adjuster or another party. Your lawyer can help protect your rights, and ensure that you get the right amount of compensation for damages.

In order to obtain compensation after a boating accident it is necessary to make an insurance claim or an action against the party(ies) responsible. This usually includes presenting evidence to back a claim for economic as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages include the costs of medical treatment and other expenses associated with the accident, including lost earnings from work missed. Noneconomic damages include pain and suffering as well as other intangible losses that are difficult to quantify.

In some cases the manufacturer of a vessel or one of its parts can be held liable for an accident in the event that their product was defectively created or manufactured. A New York boating accident lawyer could investigate the possibility product liability and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In certain situations the boat accident lawsuit's owner might not be held liable for the outcome of a collision. The owner of a vessel may be held responsible also, particularly in the event that they are responsible for hiring or training the person who is operating their vessel, or allow a person who is unfit to operate the vessel on their premises.