Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an enjoyable and exciting activity to enjoy, but it could be dangerous. If a negligent action leads to an accident, victims and their families could be entitled to financial compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC lawyer who handles boat accidents will assist victims of injuries to get the amount they deserved. The claim may cover past medical expenses as well as other economic damages.

Damages

Many people think of bodies of water as if they were the Wild West, there are laws that govern the boats that are moored on lakes, rivers and oceans throughout the United States. Boat accidents can be governed by multiple federal and state laws which are weighed in determining if negligence occurred. For example, if a boat operator was drunk, this could be a cause for civil lawsuits for negligence. Federal laws also deal with pollution and deaths at the sea. There are also maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with similar compensation to other industries.

If a loved one was killed in a tragic boat accident, the family may sue for damages, including loss of companionship and funeral costs. They can also sue for suffering and pain. Families can get money to cover medical bills 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 assist you in determining the kind of damages you might be entitled to claim. An attorney for personal injuries can look over your insurance policy and the responsible party's hueytown boat accident Lawsuit liability policies to determine the amount of compensation you might be entitled to receive in a settlement or verdict. Additionally, a skilled lawyer can assess whether there are any additional parties that may be liable for the accident, such as the manufacturer of the boat or component.

Liability

In general, injured boaters seek compensation to cover medical expenses (past and future) as well as lost income resulting from the absence of work emotional trauma and suffering and pain. Serious injuries include back and neck injuries as well as brain traumas, fractured bones and internal organ damage.

Accidents involving boats can involve many people who could be held liable for the crash. These include the operator of the boat, passengers on board 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 who place buoys to warn people of dangerous conditions. A personal injury attorney will be familiar with both state and federal maritime laws in order to determine who is at fault for an accident.

Under the Jones Act a worker on an vessel that is injured at sea has the same rights as workers compensation beneficiaries. Similarly, sailors who are injured in international waters or in the outer continental shelf waters have the right to claim compensation under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. The families of injured maritime workers and the families of deceased sailors also have rights under state workers' compensation laws.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence gathered during the initial stages of the legal process can aid in determining the strength of your case. Photographing the accident scene will help determine the liability and reveal the circumstances of the boating accident. Eyewitnesses also can provide valuable evidence to help you prove your claim.

Medical records are essential to in determining the severity of your injuries, and the damage that resulted from it. They should contain detailed account of hospital and doctor visitations and surgeries, rehabilitation treatments and the costs associated with them. You will also need to keep track of any changes in your income and 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 deficiency carbon monoxide poisoning, or blunt force trauma caused by hitting the head on areas like the propeller or side of the boat. The majority of the time, these injuries are life-changing.

Other types of marine injuries result from mechanical issues that can result from electrical or engine problems, steering system malfunction and gear shift problems. Our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will examine these cases to determine whether the manufacturer should be held accountable for the injuries sustained by accident victims.

Making a Claim

While it is essential to seek medical attention for injuries immediately following a boating accident and you should not make a statement to an insurance adjuster or another party without consulting a lawyer. Your attorney can protect your rights, including ensuring that you receive the proper compensation for the damages.

The legal procedure for seeking compensation in the event of a boating accident involves filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the person or parties who are responsible. It is typical to present evidence to support an insurance claim for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are medical expenses and other expenses that are incurred due to the accident, as well as the loss of income resulting from missing work. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering as well as other intangible losses which are harder to quantify.

In certain cases the maker of a gloucester boat accident lawyer or one of its parts can be held liable for an accident if their product was defectively constructed or designed. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer can determine whether a product liability is at stake and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In certain instances, the boat operator may not be held responsible for an accident. Owners of vessels can also be held accountable, especially when the owner is responsible for hiring and training the person who operates their vessel, or when a person who is not fit to operate a boat is allowed to use their property.