Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is a fun and exciting activity to enjoy, but it can be risky. If a negligent act causes to an accident and their families may be entitled to monetary compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC lawyer who handles boat accidents can assist injured victims in getting the compensation they deserve. A claim is the demand for past medical expenses as well as other financial damages.

Damages

While many people associate 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 be governed by multiple federal and state laws that are considered to determine if negligence was the cause. If a boat driver is drunk, they could be sued for negligence. There are federal laws that address pollution and deaths at sea. There are also maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with similar compensation options to other industries.

If a loved one has been killed in a boat accident, the family can sue them on behalf of damages that include funeral expenses, lost companionship, and pain and suffering. Families can get money to cover past medical costs and future treatment.

If a boat accident resulted in injuries to you or your loved ones, a New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine what damages you could be entitled to claim. A personal injury attorney can examine your insurance policy and the policies on boat liability of the responsible party to determine what compensation you might be able to receive as part of an agreement or jury verdict. A lawyer with experience can also assess if there are other parties that could be liable, like the manufacturer, or even a part of the boat that was defective.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters pursue damages to recover medical expenses (past and anticipated) as well as lost income due to time missed from work, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damages to their boats. The most serious injuries are neck and back injuries, brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis, and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve many people who could be held accountable for the collision. This includes the tipton boat accident attorney operator, passengers aboard at the time of accident as well as the other watercraft or boats involved, the manufacturers of boats as well as their parts, engines and government agencies that set up buoys to warn people of dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer is well-versed in both state and federal maritime laws to determine who is at fault in the event of an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a vessel who suffers an injury at sea has rights to compensation that are similar to those of workers' compensation recipients. Similar, sailors who are injured in international waters or outer continental shelf waters are entitled to make claims under the Jones Act as well as other federal maritime regulations. The families of injured maritime workers and the families of deceased sailors also have claims under state workers insurance laws.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence collected in the beginning stages of the legal process can 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 responsibility as well as establishing how the boating collision occurred. Eyewitnesses may also provide valuable information that will aid in proving your claim.

Medical records are crucial for in determining the severity of your injuries, as well as the damage that resulted from it. These records should include precise reports of hospital and doctor visits and surgeries, rehabilitation treatments as well as the expenses associated with them. You should document the changes in your income and job capacity, as well with any other non-financial losses.

Spinal cord and brain injuries are a common occurrence in shillington boat accident lawsuit accidents. The injuries in this category can be caused by oxygen deficiency carbon monoxide poisoning, or blunt force trauma caused by hitting the head on places like the propeller, or on the side of the boat. Most often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other forms of marine injuries are caused by mechanical issues, such as engine or electrical failure or steering system malfunctions and gear shift problems. Our NYC boating accident attorneys will look into these cases to determine if the manufacturer should be held accountable for the injuries suffered by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

You should seek medical attention as soon as you notice an incident on the boat. However, you should consult with a lawyer before submitting an admission to the insurance adjuster or to any other party. A lawyer can defend your rights and ensure you get the compensation you deserve for any damages.

In order to obtain compensation after a boating accident you must file an insurance claim, or an action against the party(ies) responsible. This usually involves providing evidence to support a claim for financial and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are medical expenses and other expenses caused by the accident, which includes lost earnings due to missed work. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, and other forms of loss that is difficult to quantify.

In certain cases, the manufacturer of a vessel or one of its parts could be held responsible for an accident in the event of a product that was defectively made or designed. A New York boating accident lawyer will investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In some instances the boat owner may not be held accountable for a collision. Owners of vessels can also be held accountable, especially if the owner is responsible for the hiring and training of the person who operates their vessel or in the event that a person who isn't fit to operate a craft is allowed on their property.