Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is an enjoyable and thrilling activity for the whole family, but it can be 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 lawyer can assist injured victims in obtaining the amount of damages they are entitled to. A claim could include past medical expenses and other economic damages.

Damages

Although many people associate bodies of water with the Wild West in the United States, there are laws governing the boats on lakes and rivers as well as oceans. Boat accidents can be governed by many federal and state laws which are considered when determining the degree of negligence. If a boat driver is drunk, they may be liable for negligence. There are federal laws that deal with death and pollution 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 boating accident, the family members may sue on their behalf for damages, including loss of companionship, boat accident lawyer funeral expenses as well as pain and loss. Families can collect money to cover past medical costs as well as future treatment.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you in determining whether you or a loved ones were injured in a boat accident. An attorney for personal injuries can look over your insurance policy and the responsible party's boat liability policy to determine the type of damages you could be entitled to receive in a settlement or a verdict. A lawyer with experience will also be able to determine if there are other parties who may be liable, such as the manufacturer or the part of the boat that was defective.

Liability

In general, injured boaters seek damages to recover medical expenses (past and future), lost income from the absence of work emotional trauma, as well as pain and suffering. Injuries that are serious typically involve back and neck injury as well as brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents often involve multiple parties who could have legal responsibility for a accident, including the vessel's operator, passengers who were onboard at the time of the incident along with other watercraft and vessels involved in the collision, the manufacturers of the boats as well as their engines or parts and even government agencies responsible for putting buoys to warn of hazardous conditions. A personal injury attorney will be familiar with both state and federal maritime laws to determine who is accountable in an accident.

Under the Jones Act, boat accident lawyer a worker on a boat accident lawsuit who is injured at sea is entitled to compensation that are similar to those of workers' compensation recipients. In the same way, sailors injured in international waters or in the outer continental shelf waters have the right to submit a claim under Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. The state workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers who have been injured and the families of sailors who have died.

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 can help determine the liability as well as establishing the circumstances of the boating accident. Eyewitnesses can also give valuable evidence to aid in proving your claim.

Medical records are crucial for in determining the severity of your injuries, and the damage that resulted from it. The records should contain thorough reports of doctor and hospital visits, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments, and the costs associated with these. You should document the changes in your income and employment capacity, as well in any other losses that are not financial.

Boat accidents are frequently associated with brain and spinal cord injuries. These injuries may be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma when the head is struck by the propeller of the boat. The majority of the time, these injuries are life-changing.

Other types of marine injuries include mechanical failures, such as electrical or engine problems or steering issues, as well as problems with gear shifts. Our NYC boating accident lawyers will look into these cases to determine whether the manufacturer can be held responsible for the injuries suffered by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

While it is essential to seek medical attention for injuries as soon as you can following a boating incident and you should not make a statement to an insurance adjuster, or another party without first consulting a lawyer. Your lawyer will protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for damages.

In order to seek compensation after a boating accident it is necessary to file an insurance claim, or an action against the party(ies) responsible. This usually includes providing evidence to justify a claim of economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are the cost of medical treatment as well as other costs associated with the accident, for example the loss of income resulting from missing work. Noneconomic damages are those that result from pain and suffering as well as other intangible losses which are harder to quantify.

In some cases a boat manufacturer or a component of the boat could be held liable for a mishap if their product was designed or manufactured in a flawed manner. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer can determine if a product's liability is involved and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In some cases the boat accident lawsuits's operator might not be held responsible for a collision. The owner of the vessel could be held accountable too, particularly when they are responsible for hiring or training the person who operates their vessel, or permit a person who is unfit to operate a boat on their property.