New York Boat Accident Law

A New York boat accident lawyer can help you obtain compensation for your physical and mental suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, scarring, medical bills and future medical costs and lost wages. You may also be eligible for compensation for the death of loved ones.

The determination of fault can be made using the proximate causes principle, such as the previsibility of an injury or loss. A competent attorney will research the facts and identify any potentially responsible parties.

Ferry Boat Accidents

Ferry boats carry people from one location to another across rivers, lakes and other waterways. When they travel on navigable waters commercial vessels must comply with the guidelines and regulations of the Coast Guard. This includes checking their equipment on a regular basis for mechanical problems and making sure that there are enough personal flotation devices for all passengers in the event of a serious accident. A ferry boat's captain is also responsible for navigating the vessel in a safe and secure manner. If the captain exhibits careless or negligent behavior, it could be grounds for a lawsuit.

Many things can cause injuries to passengers and crew on a ferry. Slip and fall accidents can happen on the stairs leading to and from a ferry as well as other surfaces that are on the boat. These accidents can lead to fractured bones, concussions or head injuries. People can also fall from a boat when the safety measures aren't in place or if the boat is shaken by weather conditions.

If you're injured on a boat, you can sue the ferry company for violations of maritime and admiralty law and workers compensation. Your lawyer will identify the person responsible for your injury and ensure that you receive compensation for all your losses.

Personal Watercraft Accidents

The injuries suffered by passengers of personal watercrafts such as Jet Skis and WaveRunners can vary from minor cuts and bruises to serious injuries that result in traumatic brain injuries or death. The most serious injuries are caused by direct collision with another vessel or fixed object.

PWC collisions are quite common and are especially common with other personal watercraft and speeding boats. Unexperienced drivers are often unable to gauge their speed or distances, leading to head-on collisions, which can cause many injuries, including neck and back discomfort, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injuries, paralysis, and death.

Intoxicated or reckless drivers speed up and steer their personal watercrafts recklessly. These accidents can also be caused by defective products because some personal watercrafts are equipped with pump-jet engines that suck up and blow out water at very high speeds.

If you or someone close to you was injured in an accident on the water, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. You can establish your liability and provide evidence by taking photographs of your injuries or bruises, writing down crucial details about the incident, and also obtaining names of witnesses. It is essential to seek medical attention right away to treat any injuries, as certain types of injuries such as head injuries from trauma may not be evident on an X ray or other diagnostic tests for a few days or even weeks following the accident.

Boating Accidents on Navigable Waterways

A boat crash that occurs in navigable waters can be covered under federal maritime law. This could be because the body of water involved is currently being used for international or interstate commerce or because the accident occurred in an area capable of being used for such a purpose in the future.

In these instances, state tort law can be used. It is important to talk to a personal injury attorney experienced in this type of case to determine the law that applies.

Whatever the cause of the accident, whether it was in a private or public vessel, it is likely that someone was negligent. In most cases, it is the person operating the boat. Boats require special abilities to operate safely and they are not a safe means of transport if the person is not equipped with the right training or experience.

In other instances, the negligence of a passenger could be the cause. This is especially true if a passenger acted recklessly, or in a criminal manner. A state agency can also be held accountable for negligence in maintaining or operating the waterway in which the accident happened.

A boating accident is often tragic and can cause serious injuries, or even death. If you've been injured in an accident on a boat because of the negligence of another and you are injured, you must contact an experienced Buffalo boat accident lawyer right promptly.

Boating Accidents on Non-Navigable Waterways

When examining the causes behind boat accidents, there are many factors both within and without a person's control. Some boat accidents are caused by negligence of the boat operator for instance, when the boater speeds up or operates his boat at a higher level. Other causes are out of the control of the boater, such as debris in the water and the weather conditions.

Depending on the location of your accident federal maritime law or state tort law may apply. To be eligible for federal maritime law, your accident must have a "nexus" to maritime traditional activities or have a disruptive impact on commerce maritime. Collisions between recreational boats do not meet this requirement, so your case may be subject to state law.

Contacting a seasoned lawyer immediately following a boating incident is important. An attorney can identify which laws were not followed and help you pursue compensation for your damages. If you've been injured in a boating incident Joye Law firm can aggressively pursue compensation for you. Contact us today to get started. Your initial consultation is completely free of charge. We do not get paid until you pay us. We offer flexible schedules to suit your needs. Located in New York City, we represent clients across the country. To make it easier for you, we have offices in Albany, Buffalo, and Poughkeepsie.