Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an enjoyable and thrilling recreational activity that can be dangerous. If a negligent act causes to an accident, the victim and their families could be entitled to monetary compensation for the injuries and losses.

A NYC mount healthy boat accident law firm accident lawyer can help injured victims claim the amount of damages they are entitled to. A claim can be an obligation to pay for medical expenses as well as other financial damages.

Damages

While many people think of waters like the Wild West, there are laws that govern boats on rivers, lakes and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can trigger various laws, both state and federal, that are considered when determining the degree of negligence. If a boat driver is drunk, they may be sued for negligence. There are also federal laws that deal with the issue of pollution and deaths at sea. There are maritime regulations, like the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with a similar compensation pathway to other industries.

If a loved one was killed in a boat accident, the family members may sue them on behalf of damages, including lost companionship, funeral expenses as well as pain and suffering. Families can collect money to cover medical costs from the past and any future treatment.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine whether you or a loved ones were injured in a boating accident. A personal injury lawyer can review your insurance policy and the boat liability policies of the responsible party to determine the compensation you may be eligible to receive as part of a settlement or jury verdict. A lawyer with experience will also be able to determine if there other parties that could be responsible, for instance the manufacturer or a component of the boat that was faulty.

Liability

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

Boating accidents often involve multiple parties who could have legal responsibility for a collision, such as the boat's operator, any other passengers who were onboard at the time of the incident as well as other watercraft and boats involved in the collision, the makers of the boats as well as their components or engines, and even authorities responsible for putting buoys that warn of the dangers of conditions. An attorney who handles personal injury cases is familiar with federal and state maritime laws to determine who is liable for an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a boat who is injured at sea is entitled to compensation similar to those of workers' compensation beneficiaries. Similarly, sailors who are injured on international waters or in outer continental shelf waters have the right to submit a claim under Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. Workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers who are injured as well as the families of deceased sailors.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence gathered during the initial stages of the legal process can help you determine the strength of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident will help determine the liability and determine how the boating collision happened. 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 determining the extent of your injuries, as well as the damage that resulted from it. The records should include thorough account of hospital and doctor visitations as well as rehabilitation procedures, surgeries, and costs associated with them. You should document any changes in your income or employment capacity, as with any other non-financial losses.

The spinal and brain injuries are common in boat collisions. These injuries can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma if your head strikes the propeller of the boat. In most cases, these injuries can be life-changing.

Other kinds of marine accidents involve mechanical failures, such as electrical or engine failure such as steering issues, engine failure, and problems with gear shifts. Our NYC boating accident attorneys will examine these cases to determine whether the manufacturer can be accountable for the injuries suffered by accident victims.

Filing a Claim

While it is important to seek medical attention for injuries immediately following a boat accident however, you shouldn't make an account to an insurance adjuster or another party without consulting with a lawyer. A lawyer can defend your rights and ensure that you receive the compensation you need for your losses.

In order to seek compensation after a boating accident, you will need to make an insurance claim or an action against the party(ies) responsible. It is standard to provide evidence in support of an insurance claim for both economic and noneconomic damage. Economic damages include the costs of medical treatment as well as other expenses related to the accident, such as lost earnings due to missed work. Non-economic damages can include pain, suffering, and other intangible loss that may be difficult to quantify.

In some cases the manufacturer of a boat or one of its components can be held liable for an accident when their product was not properly created or manufactured. A skilled New York boating injury lawyer will determine if product liability is at stake and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In certain situations, the boat operator may not be held accountable for a collision. The owner of the vessel can be held liable also, particularly in the event that they are responsible for hiring or training the person who operates their vessel or allow someone who is unfit to operate the boat on their property.