How a Boat Accident Lawyer Can Help You File a Claim

A New York boat accident attorney can help you file an insurance claim if you've been injured on the water, or in a marina. They'll guide you, assess the potential of your case, and bargain with insurance companies.

Most boat accident lawsuits are based on negligence. If your lawyer can show that there was a breach of duty, causation and damages, you could be awarded compensation.

Damages

A boating incident can cause devastating injuries, similar to other type of crash. Some of the injuries that could result include drowning in the water, oxygen deprivation injuries fractured bones and brain trauma. A good lawyer can assist you in obtaining the amount of compensation you are entitled to for these losses.

Like car accidents, an injury involving a boat is contingent on the proof of negligence by the responsible party. Lawyers can conduct a thorough investigation, and take pictures of the accident scene and injuries to establish responsibility. They can also assist you in locating medical records as well as other documentation to prove your claim. They can also help learn about comparative negligence laws in the event that they are applicable to your particular situation.

Victims could be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages resulting from their boating accident injuries. Economic damages are those that are more easily determined, such as past and future medical costs for your injury. These could also include loss of income caused by your injuries, as well as any changes to your ability to work in the future. Noneconomic damages are more subjective, and can include the pain and suffering, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment of life and emotional anxiety. A lawyer can assist you determine the amount of your damages and make an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the parties responsible for your injuries. They can also deal with cases involving government agencies such as the Coast Guard or police.

Insurance

Financial burdens can quickly mount when someone is injured in an accident on the water. Medical bills can easily reach thousands of dollars and, if surgery is needed, the costs can be even higher.

A personal injury lawyer can assist injured people get the compensation they require. They can investigate the root of a boating incident and file the necessary paperwork and work with insurance companies to secure the highest possible compensation.

In addition a lawyer for boat accidents can determine who is liable and how much insurance coverage they have. Not all boat owners and operators carry liability insurance to cover injuries. Check your own boating and homeowners insurance policies if you rent or take a loan on a boat, to determine how much coverage you're covered.

Reporting boat accidents to authorities is crucial. An official police report can be used to prove negligence as well as other facts in a claim for damages. Also, it's recommended to speak to witnesses to obtain their accounts. It is also helpful to get the names, contact information and insurance policy numbers of all parties involved in the accident especially the owners of the boats.

Liability

You could be entitled to reimbursement for past and future medical costs in the event that you're a victim of a boating accident. This includes hospital bills, emergency room services, doctor's appointments therapy sessions, and the expenses of medication. Your NYC boat accident lawyer will be able to prove these expenses and will make sure that the totality of your losses are reflected in your compensation award.

The majority of injuries sustained in boat accidents are caused by the negligence or recklessness on the part of an owner or operator of a boat. Some injuries are exacerbated by the failure to have the safety equipment required, such as life jackets, fire extinguishers, or navigational lights. A claim can be filed against the manufacturer of a boat that is defective or an item on board, such as the ski.

If you've been injured while working on a commercial vessel, you may be eligible to submit a claim for compensation under the Jones Act. A New York boat accident attorney will examine your case and provide you with additional information about this special law. Your attorney will also lead in negotiations with the parties responsible as well as their lawyers and insurance companies on your behalf. If the fair settlement isn't reached Your attorney will then prepare a trial on your behalf to obtain justice.

Time Limits

Boating and other watercraft are governed by a variety of laws. These regulations cover driving, passing and ceding the right-of-way among others. These regulations also require boaters to remain sober, avoid overloading or causing damage to their boats and avoid risky actions such as weaving into traffic or hopping in the wake. Inadequate actions of an operator or any other person involved in a boating accident can result in serious injuries and even wrongful deaths.

A qualified boat accident lawyer will guide you through the legal process, evaluate the strengths of your case and protect your rights. They can also aid you in pursuing compensation for financial damages by providing medical documents and other evidence.

A boat-related case can take longer to settle because it involves issues that have to be determined in accordance with maritime law as well as state personal injury laws. This is because a lawyer must gather eyewitness statements, police reports and other documents before negotiations can begin. Depending on the complexity of your case, pre-litigation negotiations can take anywhere between a few weeks and six months. If you are employed by a commercial fishing vessel or cruise ship, a sightseeing boat, or any other type worker who is in the boat as a result of or for the purpose of working, then you may be qualified for workers' compensation. A NY lawyer for boat accidents can represent you in these cases.