Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is a fun and exciting recreational activity that could be dangerous. If a negligent action leads to an accident, victims and boat accident lawyer their families could be entitled to compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC boat accident law firms accident lawyer can assist injured victims in obtaining the amount of damages they deserve. A claim can be a demand for past medical expenses as well as other financial damages.

Damages

Many people think of bodies of water as if they were the Wild West, there are laws that govern the vessels on lakes, rivers and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can involve multiple federal and state laws that are taken into consideration in determining whether negligence occurred. For example, if a boat operator was drunk, it could make them vulnerable to civil litigation for negligence. Federal laws also address pollution and deaths at sea. There are also maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with a similar compensation pathway to other industries.

If a loved one was killed in a tragic boat accident family members can sue to recover damages, including lost companionship and funeral costs. They may also sue for suffering and pain. Families can also recover money to pay medical bills in the past and future medical expenses.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you in determining if you or your loved ones were injured in a boating accident. A personal injury lawyer can review your insurance policy and the policies governing boat liability of the responsible party to determine the compensation you are eligible to receive as part of settlement or a jury verdict. In addition, an experienced 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

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 back and neck injury as well as brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis and organ damage.

Boating accidents usually involve multiple parties who could have legal liability for a accident, including the vessel's operator, other passengers aboard at the time of the incident, other boats and watercraft involved in the collision, the manufacturers of the boats and their engines or parts as well as authorities responsible for putting buoys to warn of hazardous conditions. An attorney who handles personal injury cases is well-versed in both state and federal maritime laws in order to determine who is accountable in an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a boat who is injured at sea has rights to compensation that are similar to those of workers' compensation beneficiaries. Similar, sailors injured in international waters, or outer continental shelf water can claim compensation under the Jones Act as well as other maritime regulations of the federal government. Workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers who have been injured as well as the families of sailors who have passed away.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence collected in the beginning stages of the legal process can help you determine the strength of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident can help determine the extent of liability and determine the circumstances of the boating accident. Eyewitnesses can also provide valuable information that will support your claim.

Medical records are vital for in determining the severity of your injuries as well as the damage that resulted from it. These records should include precise account of hospital and doctor visits and surgeries, rehabilitation treatments, and costs associated with them. You will also need to record any changes to your income or employment and any other losses that are not financial in nature.

The spinal and brain injuries are common in boat collisions. These injuries can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation, or blunt force trauma when the head hits the propeller of the boat. These injuries could have a life-altering impact.

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

How to File a Claim

While it is important to seek medical attention for injuries immediately following a boat accident but you should not provide an account to an insurance adjuster, or another party without first consulting with a lawyer. Your lawyer can protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation that you are entitled to for the damages you have suffered.

The legal process for seeking compensation after a boat accident involves filing an insurance claim or lawsuit against the party or parties that are liable. It is common to present evidence in support of the claim, which includes damages both economic and noneconomic. Economic damages include medical expenses and other expenses caused by the accident, such as loss of income due to missing work. Non-economic damages include pain, suffering, and other types of intangible loss that may be difficult to quantify.

In some instances the manufacturer of a boat or one of its parts could be held accountable for an accident when their product was not properly designed or manufactured. A skilled New York boating injury lawyer can determine whether a product liability is involved and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In some instances, it is not just the operator of a vessel who could be held responsible for an accident. The owners of boats can also be held accountable, in particular in the event that the owner is responsible for hiring and training the person operating their vessel or when a person not qualified to operate a boat accident lawsuits is allowed on their property.