Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is an enjoyable and thrilling recreational activity that can be risky. If negligence leads to an accident the victim and their families could be entitled to compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC lawyer who handles boat accidents can help injured victims get the amount they are due. A claim can be the demand for past medical expenses and other economic damages.

Damages

Although many people think of bodies of water with the Wild West in the United States, there are laws that govern the boats on lakes and rivers as well as oceans. Boat accidents can trigger a number of laws, both state and federal, that are considered when determining the degree of negligence. If a boater is drunk, they could be liable for negligence. Federal laws also deal with death and pollution at sea. Furthermore, there are specific maritime regulations like the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families a pathway to compensation similar to workers compensated in other industries.

If a loved one has been killed in a boat accident, the family members may sue on their behalf for damages including funeral expenses, lost companionship as well as pain and loss. Families can collect money to cover medical costs from the past as well as future treatment.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you in determining if you or your loved one was injured during an accident on the boat. A personal injury attorney can review your insurance policy and the boat liability policies of the responsible party to determine the compensation you might be able to receive as part of a settlement or jury verdict. A lawyer with experience can also determine if there are other parties who may be liable, such as the manufacturer or a component of the spokane valley boat accident attorney that was faulty.

Liability

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

Boating accidents may involve many individuals who could be accountable for the accident. These include the boat operator, passengers on board at the time of the collision as well as the other watercraft or boats involved, boat manufacturers, their parts, engines and government agencies that set up buoys to warn the public of dangerous conditions. A personal injury attorney will be familiar with federal and state maritime laws in order to determine who is at fault in an accident.

Under the Jones Act a worker on a vessel injured at sea has the same rights as workers compensation beneficiaries. Similar to that, sailors injured in international waters, or the outer continental shelf waters can submit claims under the Jones Act as well as other maritime regulations of the federal government. The state workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers injured and families of deceased sailors.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence gathered in the beginning stages of the legal process could help determine the strength of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident can help determine the extent of liability and reveal the circumstances of the boating accident. It is also essential to collect information from eyewitnesses, as they can provide valuable testimony that can support your claims.

Medical records are essential to in determining the extent of your injuries and the damage they cause. They should contain detailed accounts of doctor and hospital visits surgery, rehabilitation as well as the expenses associated with them. Additionally, you should record any changes to your income or employment and other losses that are not financial in nature.

Injuries to the spinal cord and brain are a common occurrence in boat accidents. These types of injuries could be caused by oxygen deficiency carbon monoxide poisoning, blunt force trauma caused by hitting the head on places like the propeller, or on the side of the Fruitland Boat Accident Law Firm. These injuries could have a life-altering effect.

Other types of marine accidents involve mechanical issues, westminster boat accident lawyer for example electrical or engine problems such as steering issues, engine failure, and problems with gear shifts. In these instances our NYC boating accident lawyers will determine if a manufacturer can be held responsible for injuries suffered by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

While it is essential to seek medical attention immediately following a boating incident but you should not provide an account to an insurance adjuster, or another party without first consulting a lawyer. An attorney can help protect your rights, and ensure that you are compensated in a fair manner for any damages.

The legal process to seek compensation in the event of a boating accident is to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the party or parties that are liable. This typically involves presenting evidence to support a claim for financial as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages include 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, as well as other losses that are difficult to quantify.

In certain cases a boat manufacturer or an element of the vessel can be held responsible 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 responsible parties.

In certain instances, it is not just the person who operates a boat who may be held liable for an accident. The owner of a vessel could be held accountable in addition, especially when they are accountable for hiring or training the person who is operating their craft or if they allow a person who is not fit to operate a boat on their property.