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 victim and their families may be entitled to financial compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC lawyer who handles boat accidents can assist injured victims to receive the full amount they deserve. A claim is the need 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 vessels that travel on rivers, lakes and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can be governed by multiple federal and state laws which are weighed in determining if negligence occurred. If a boater is drunk, they may be liable for negligence. There are federal laws that address pollution and deaths on the sea. There are also maritime regulations, like the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with a similar compensation to other industries.

If a loved one died in a tragic boat accident family members can sue to recover damages, including loss of companionship and funeral expenses. They can also sue for suffering and pain. Families can collect money to pay for medical expenses from the past and any future treatment.

If a boating accident resulted in injuries to you or your loved ones A New York City southgate boat accident lawyer accident lawyer can assist you in determining the type of damages you could be entitled to claim. A personal injury lawyer will examine your insurance coverage and the responsible party's boat liability policy to determine the amount of compensation you are entitled to receive in a settlement or a verdict. Additionally, a skilled lawyer can determine if there are any other individuals who are liable for the accident such as the manufacturer of the boat or component.

Liability

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

Boating accidents often involve multiple parties that could potentially bear legal responsibility for a accident, including the vessel's operator, passengers aboard at the time of the crash as well as other watercraft and boats involved in the collision, the manufacturers of the boats and their components or engines and even the government agencies that are responsible for putting up buoys to warn people of danger conditions. A personal injury attorney will be familiar with federal and state maritime laws to determine who is responsible in the event of an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a vessel who is injured at sea is entitled to compensation similar to those of workers' compensation beneficiaries. In the same way, sailors injured on international waters or in outer continental shelf waters are entitled to claim compensation under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. The state workers' compensation laws also apply to injured maritime workers as well as the families of sailors who have passed away.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence gathered in the initial stages of the legal process will aid in determining the strength and validity of your case. For instance, taking photographs of the scene of the accident could be useful in determining the extent of responsibility as well as establishing how the boating collision occurred. It is also crucial to get information from eyewitnesses, as they can be a valuable source of evidence which can back up your claims.

Medical records are essential for understanding the severity of your injuries and the damage they cause. These records should include detailed reports of doctor Lawyers and hospital visits, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments, and the cost associated with these. It is also necessary to note any changes to your income or employment along with other losses that are not financial in nature.

Brain and spinal cord injuries are common in boat accidents. These injuries can result from oxygen deprivation, carbon monoxide poisoning or blunt force trauma caused by hitting the head on areas like the propeller or sides of the boat. Most often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other forms of marine injury are caused by mechanical issues, such as electrical or engine problems or steering system malfunctions and gear shift problems. In these cases our NYC boating accident lawyers will investigate to determine if a company should be held accountable for the injuries suffered by victims of accidents.

Making a Claim

While it is essential to seek medical attention immediately for injuries following a boating accident and you should not make an account to an insurance adjuster or any other party without consulting a lawyer. Your lawyer will protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation that you are entitled to for the damages you have suffered.

In order to obtain compensation following a boating collision, you will need to file an insurance claim, or a lawsuit against the party(ies) responsible. It is commonplace to present evidence in support of the claim, which includes damages both economic and noneconomic. Economic damages may include medical costs and other expenses that are incurred due to the accident, which includes the loss of income resulting from missing work. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, and other intangible losses that are difficult to quantify.

In certain cases, a boat manufacturer or a component of the boat can be held accountable for a mishap if their product was constructed or designed in a flawed manner. A New York boating accident lawyer can investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In certain instances, it is not just the operator of a boat that could be held accountable for an accident. Owners of vessels can be held accountable, in particular if the owner is responsible for the hiring and training of the person operating their vessel or when a person who is not fit to operate a boat is allowed on their property.