potsdam boat accident attorney Accident Litigation

Boating is an enjoyable and thrilling recreational activity that can be dangerous. If a negligent act causes to an accident and their families may be entitled to compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC lawyer who handles boat accidents will assist victims of injuries to get the full amount they deserve. A claim can be the demand for past medical expenses as well as other financial damages.

Damages

While many people think of bodies of water similar to the Wild West, there are laws that govern the vessels that travel on rivers, lakes and oceans in 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. For example, if a boat operator was drunk, this could be a cause for civil lawsuits for negligence. Federal laws also address pollution and deaths on the 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 boat accident, the family members may sue on their behalf for damages such as lost companionship, funeral expenses as well as pain and suffering. Families may also seek compensation for medical bills from the past and future costs for treatment.

If a hastings boat accident law firm accident caused injuries to you or your loved ones and loved ones, a New York City boat accident attorney can assist you in determining what damages you are entitled to claim. A personal injury attorney can review your insurance policy and the policies governing sterling boat accident law firm liability of the responsible party to determine what compensation you are eligible to receive as part of an agreement or jury verdict. A knowledgeable lawyer can assess whether there are any additional individuals who are liable for the incident, such as the manufacturer of the boat or component.

Liability

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

Boating accidents can involve a variety of parties that could be held responsible for the crash. This includes the operator of the boat, passengers on board at the time of the accident and other watercrafts or boats involved, boat manufacturers and their components, engines and government agencies that put up buoys to alert people of dangers. A personal injury attorney will be familiar with federal and state maritime laws to determine who is accountable for an accident.

Under the Jones Act a worker on the vessel that is injured at sea has the same rights as workers compensation beneficiaries. Similar to that, sailors who suffer injuries in international waters or the outer continental shelf waters have the right to claim compensation under the Jones Act as well as other federal maritime regulations. Families and maritime workers who have been injured as well as the relatives of sailors who died are entitled to compensation under state workers law on compensation.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence collected in the beginning stages of the legal process could aid in determining the strength of your case. For example, taking photographs of the scene of the accident can be useful in determining the degree of liability as well as establishing how the boating collision occurred. It's also important to obtain information from eyewitnesses, as they can be a valuable source of evidence that supports your claims.

Medical records are essential to understanding the severity of your injuries and the injuries that result from them. These records should include detailed reports of hospital and doctor visitations and surgeries, rehabilitation treatments and the costs associated with them. You'll need to document the changes in your income and capacity to work, as well for any other financial loss.

Brain and spinal cord injuries are common in boating accidents. These injuries can result from carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma, when your head strikes the propeller of the boat. These injuries could have a life-altering impact.

Other types of marine injuries involve mechanical problems, such as electrical or engine malfunctions in steering, abrasions, and problems with gear shifts. In these cases, our NYC boating accident lawyers will determine if a company should be held liable for the injuries sustained by accident victims.

Making a Claim

You should seek medical attention immediately after an accident on the water. However, you should consult a lawyer before giving an admission to the insurance adjuster or any other person. Your lawyer can help protect your rights, Hastings Boat Accident Law Firm including ensuring that you receive the proper compensation for damages.

The legal process for seeking compensation in the event of a boating accident involves filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the party or parties that are accountable. It is typical to present evidence to support an insurance claim for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to the cost of medical treatment as well as other expenses associated with the accident, like lost earnings from work missed. Noneconomic damages are those that result from pain and suffering as well as other intangible losses that may be harder to quantify.

In certain cases, a boat manufacturer or a part of the vessel can be held responsible for a mishap if their product was designed or manufactured in a way that was defective. A skilled New York boating injury lawyer will determine if product liability is at stake and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In some cases it's not just the boat's operator who may be held liable for a crash. Owners of vessels can be held responsible, especially in the event that the owner is responsible for hiring and training the person who operates their vessel or if a person unfit to operate a boat is allowed to use their property.