Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be a thrilling and enjoyable leisure activity, however, it can also be dangerous. If negligence causes an accident the victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for injuries and loss.

A NYC lawyer who handles boat accidents will assist victims of injuries to get the compensation they deserve. A claim could include past medical expenses and other economic damages.

Damages

While many people imagine bodies of water as if they were the Wild West, there are laws that govern boats that are moored on lakes, rivers and oceans throughout the United States. Boat accidents can be governed by multiple federal and state laws that are taken into consideration in determining if negligence took place. For instance, if the boat operator was drunk, it could lead to civil lawsuits for negligence. There are federal laws that deal with the issue of pollution and deaths at sea. Additionally, there are special maritime regulations like the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families access to compensation that is comparable to workers who receive compensation in other industries.

If a loved one died in a tragic boat accident, the family can sue for damages, including lost companionship and funeral expenses. They can also sue for pain and suffering. Families can seek compensation to cover medical costs from the past and any future treatment.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you in determining if you or your loved one was injured in an accident on the water. An attorney for personal injury can review your insurance policy and the policies regarding liability for boats of the responsible party to determine the compensation you are eligible to receive as part of settlement or a jury verdict. An experienced lawyer can also determine if are any other parties that could be liable, such as the manufacturer or part of the boat that was defective.

Liability

In general, injured boaters seek damages to recover medical costs (past and future) and lost income due to working absences emotional trauma, as well as suffering and pain. Injuries that are serious include back and neck injuries and brain traumas, as well as broken bones and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve many people who could be held liable for the crash. These include the operator of the boat, passengers who were aboard at the time of the incident as well as the other watercraft or boats involved, manufacturers of boats and their components, engines, and government agencies that place buoys to warn the public of dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer will be aware of the specifics of both state law and federal maritime laws to determine who may be liable in a collision.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a boat who suffers an injury on the sea is entitled to a compensation equal to that of workers' compensation recipients. Similar to sailors injured in international waters, or the outer continental shelf waters are able to submit claims under the Jones Act as well as other federal maritime regulations. State workers' compensation laws also apply to injured maritime workers and families of sailors who have died.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence gathered in the initial stages of the legal process will aid in determining the strength and viability of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident can help determine the extent of liability and establish how the boating collision happened. Eyewitnesses can also provide valuable evidence to back your claim.

Medical records are essential to understanding the severity of your injuries, as well as the damage that resulted from it. They should contain detailed accounts of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, and the costs associated with these. Additionally, you should document any changes in your income or employment and other losses that are not financial in nature.

Boat accidents are frequently associated with brain and spinal cord injuries. These injuries can result from carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma if your head strikes the propeller of the rhode island boat accident law firm. Often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other types of maritime injuries are caused by mechanical issues for example, engine or electrical failure or steering system malfunctions and gear shift problems. In these instances our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will investigate to determine if a manufacturer should be held responsible for injuries suffered by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

It is important to seek medical attention as soon as you notice an accident with a boat. However, it is recommended to consult with a lawyer prior to giving a statement to the insurance adjuster or another party. A lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure you get the money you are entitled to for the damages you have suffered.

The legal process to seek compensation following a boat accident is to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the person or parties who are accountable. This typically involves providing evidence to back a claim for economic as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages may include medical costs and other expenses that result from the accident, which includes lost income due to missed work. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering and other intangible losses that are more difficult to quantify.

In certain cases, a boat manufacturer, or a part of the shreveport Boat accident lawyer may be held responsible for causing an accident if their product was designed or manufactured in a manner that was not safe. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer can determine whether a product liability is involved and pursue compensation from the parties responsible.

In some cases the boat owner may not be held accountable for the outcome of a collision. Owners of vessels can also be held accountable, in particular in the event that the owner is responsible for hiring and training the person who operates their vessel, or when a person not qualified to operate a boat is allowed on their property.