Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is an enjoyable and exciting activity to enjoy, but it could be dangerous. If a negligent act causes to an accident, the victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC lawyer for boat accidents can help injured victims get the amount they deserved. A claim could include past medical expenses, as well as other economic damages.

Damages

While many people think of bodies of water like the Wild West, there are laws that govern the vessels on lakes, rivers, and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can trigger many federal and state laws which are considered when determining negligence. For instance, if the boat operator was drunk, this could lead to civil lawsuits for negligence. Federal laws also deal with death and pollution at 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 fatal san ramon boat accident lawyer accident family members can sue for damages, including loss of companionship and funeral costs. They may also sue for pain and suffering. Families can seek compensation to pay for medical expenses from the past and any future treatment.

If a boating accident caused injuries to you or your loved ones If you or your loved ones were injured, a New York City boat accident attorney can help you determine what type of damages you are entitled to claim. An attorney for personal injury can look over your insurance policy and the boat liability policies of the responsible party to determine what compensation you may be eligible to receive as part of a settlement or jury verdict. An experienced lawyer can also determine if there are other parties who may be responsible, for instance the manufacturer or part of the boat that was defective.

Liability

Typically, injured boaters seek damages to cover medical expenses (past and expected) and lost income because of time lost from work as well as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damages to their boats. The most serious injuries are back and neck injury as well as brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis and internal organ damage.

Accidents involving boats can involve many parties who could be held accountable for the collision. These include the boat operator, passengers aboard at the time of the collision and other watercrafts or boats involved, boat manufacturers and their components, engines, and government agencies that place buoys to warn the public of dangers. A personal injury lawyer is familiar with both state and federal maritime laws to determine who is accountable in the event of an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a boat who is injured at sea has rights to compensation similar to those of workers' compensation beneficiaries. Similar to sailors who suffer injuries in international waters or outer continental shelf waters are able to submit claims under the Jones Act as well as other federal maritime regulations. Injured maritime workers and families of deceased sailors also have claims under state workers law on compensation.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence collected in the early stages of the legal process can aid in determining the strength and viability of your case. Photographing the accident scene can help establish liability and establish the circumstances of the boating accident. Eyewitnesses also can provide important information to support your claim.

Medical records are critical for finding out the extent of your injuries and the related damages. They should contain detailed reports of doctor and hospital visits, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments, and the cost associated with these. You'll need to record the changes in your income and job capacity, as well for any other financial loss.

Boat accidents are often related to brain and spinal cord injuries. These injuries may be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation, or blunt force trauma that occurs when your head strikes the propeller of the boat. Most often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other kinds of marine accidents involve mechanical failures, such as electrical or engine failure in steering, abrasions, and gear shift issues. Our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will analyze these cases to determine whether the manufacturer should be held accountable for the injuries suffered by accident victims.

Filing a Claim

You should seek medical attention as soon as you notice an accident on the water. However, it is recommended to consult with a lawyer prior to giving a statement to the insurance adjuster or to any other party. A lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure you get the compensation you deserve for damages.

In order to seek compensation following a boating collision, you will need to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the party(ies) responsible. This usually involves the presentation of evidence to back a claim for economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are medical expenses and other expenses that are incurred due to the accident, including lost earnings due to missed work. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, and other intangible loss that is difficult to quantify.

In certain instances, a winthrop Harbor Boat accident lawsuit manufacturer, or an element of the boat can be held liable for causing an accident if their product was constructed or designed in a defective manner. A New York boating accident lawyer may investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In some cases it's not only the operator of a vessel who may be held liable for a crash. The owner of the vessel can be held liable as well, especially when they are accountable for hiring or training the person operating their craft or if they permit a person who is not fit to operate an unfit boat to use their property.