Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an enjoyable and thrilling recreational activity that is also risky. If a negligent decision leads to an accident, the victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC boat accident attorney will assist victims of injuries to get the amount they deserved. A claim includes the demand for past medical expenses as well as other financial damages.

Damages

While many people imagine bodies of water similar to the Wild West, there are laws that govern the vessels that travel on rivers, lakes and oceans throughout the United States. Boat accidents may be governed by a variety of federal and state laws that are weighed in determining if negligence took place. If a boat driver is drunk, boat accident attorney they may be sued for negligence. Federal laws also deal with pollution and deaths on the sea. Furthermore, there are specific maritime regulations like the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families a pathway for compensation similar to workers compensated in other industries.

If a loved-one was killed in a boat accident law firm accident, the family can sue on their behalf for damages such as the loss of companionship, funeral costs and pain and suffering. Families may also seek compensation for past medical bills and future medical expenses.

If a boating accident resulted in injuries to you or your loved ones and loved ones, a New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine the type of damages you might be entitled to claim. A personal injury lawyer will review your insurance policy and the policies on boat accident lawyers liability of the responsible party to determine what compensation you may be eligible to receive as part of the settlement or verdict of a jury. Additionally, a skilled lawyer can assess whether there are any additional parties that may be liable for the accident, such as the manufacturer of the defective boat or part.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters pursue damages to recover medical expenses (past and anticipated) and lost income because of time lost from work, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damages to their boats. Injuries that are serious include neck and back injuries as well as brain traumas, fractured bones and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve many parties who could be held accountable for the collision. This includes the boat's operator, passengers on board at the time of accident, other boats or watercraft involved, the makers of boats as well as their parts, engines and government agencies that put up buoys to warn people of dangers. A personal injury lawyer will be aware of the ins and outs of state law as well as federal maritime laws to determine who can be liable in a collision.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a boat who suffers an injury at sea has rights to compensation similar to those of workers' compensation recipients. Similar to this, sailors who are injured in international waters, or outer continental shelf waters are entitled to make claims under the Jones Act as well as other maritime regulations of the federal government. Families of injured maritime workers as well as families of sailors who have died have claims under state worker compensation laws.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence collected in the early stages of the legal process will help determine the strength and validity of your case. For instance, taking photos of the scene of the accident could be helpful for determining the extent of liability and how the boating collision occurred. Eyewitnesses may also provide valuable evidence to support your claim.

Medical records are vital for finding out the extent of your injuries, as well as the damage that resulted from it. These records should include thorough details of doctor and hospital visits, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments, and the expenses associated with these. You will need to document the changes in your income and capacity to work, as well as any other non-financial loss.

Boat accidents are frequently associated with brain and spinal cord injuries. These types of injuries could be caused by oxygen deprivation carbon monoxide poisoning or blunt force trauma caused by hitting the head against areas like the propeller, or on the side of the boat. Most often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other types of marine injuries are caused by mechanical failures, such as electrical or engine malfunctions or steering issues, as well as gear shift issues. In these cases, our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will determine if the manufacturer should be held accountable for boat accident attorney injuries suffered by victims of accidents.

The process of filing a claim

While it is vital to seek medical attention immediately after a boating accident and you should not make an account to an insurance adjuster or other party without first consulting with a lawyer. Your lawyer will protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation that you deserve for damages.

The legal process to seek compensation after a boat accident is to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the person or parties who are responsible. It is commonplace to present evidence in support of the claim, which includes both non-economic and economic damages. Economic damages are medical expenses and other expenses incurred as a result of the accident, such as loss of income due to missing work. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering, and other types of intangible loss that may be difficult to quantify.

In some instances the maker of a boat or one of its parts could be held responsible for an accident when their product was not properly designed or manufactured. 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. Owners of vessels 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.