Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is a fun and exciting activity to enjoy, but it is also risky. If negligence leads to an accident the victim and their families could be entitled to compensation for the loss and injuries.

A NYC boat accident lawyer can help injured victims demand the full amount of damages they are entitled to. A claim could include past medical expenses, as well as other economic damages.

Damages

Although many people imagine waters like the Wild West, there are laws that govern the boats that are moored on lakes, rivers, and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents may be governed by a variety of federal and state laws which are weighed in determining whether negligence occurred. For instance, if the boat operator was drunk, it could be a cause for civil lawsuits based on negligence. Federal laws also address death and pollution 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 has been killed in a fatal boat accident, the family may sue for damages, including loss of companionship and funeral expenses. They may also sue for suffering and pain. Families can seek compensation to cover medical bills from the past and future treatment.

If a boating accident caused injuries to you or your loved ones A New York City colby boat accident lawsuit accident lawyer can assist you in determining the kind of damages you might be entitled to claim. A personal injury lawyer can look over your insurance policy and the responsible party's boat liability policies to determine what type of damages you could be entitled to receive in a settlement or a verdict. Additionally, a knowledgeable lawyer can assess whether there are any additional parties who could be responsible for the accident, such as the manufacturer of a defective boat or bastrop boat accident lawyer component.

Liability

In general, injured boaters seek compensation to cover medical costs (past and future) and lost income due to working absences emotional trauma, and pain and suffering. Serious injuries commonly involve neck and back injuries or brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve a variety of parties who could be held liable for the crash. These include the boat operator, passengers on board at the time of the accident as well as the other watercraft or boats involved, the makers of boats, their parts, engines, and government agencies that put up buoys to warn the public of dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer can be familiar with the details of state law as well as federal maritime laws to determine who can be liable in a collision.

Under the Jones Act a worker on the vessel that is injured at sea has the same rights as workers compensation beneficiaries. Similar to that, sailors who are injured in international waters or outer continental shelf waters are able to claim compensation under the Jones Act as well as other federal maritime regulations. State workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers who have been injured as well as the families of sailors who have died.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence collected in the beginning stages of the legal process could help determine the strength of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident can help determine liability and help determine the circumstances of the boating accident. It is also essential to collect details from eyewitnesses as they can offer valuable evidence to support your claims.

Medical records are essential for in determining the severity of your injuries and the damages that resulted. These records should include detailed reports of doctor and hospital visits, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments, as well as the costs associated with these. You will need to document any changes to your income and employment capacity, as well in any other losses that are not financial.

Boat accidents are typically caused by brain and spinal cord injuries. These injuries may be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation, or blunt force trauma when your head strikes the propeller of the boat. These injuries can cause life-changing effect.

Other types of marine injuries involve mechanical issues, like electrical or engine problems in steering, abrasions, and gear shift issues. In these cases, our NYC boating accident lawyers will investigate to determine if a manufacturer can be held accountable for the injuries sustained by victims of accidents.

Filing a Claim

While it is vital to seek medical attention for injuries as soon as you can following a boating accident however, you shouldn't make an account to an insurance adjuster or any other party without first consulting a lawyer. Your lawyer will protect your rights and ensure you get the compensation you need for your losses.

The legal process to seek compensation for a boating accident involves filing an insurance claim or lawsuit against the party or parties that are liable. It is typical to present evidence in support of a claim for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to the cost of medical treatment as well as other expenses arising from the accident, for example lost income from missed work. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, and any other intangible loss that may be difficult to quantify.

In some instances, a boat manufacturer or a component of the vessel can be held responsible for a mishap if their product was constructed or designed in a flawed manner. A New York boating accident lawyer will investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In certain instances, the boat operator may not be held responsible for the outcome of a collision. Owners of vessels can also be held responsible, especially if the owner is responsible for hiring and training the person operating their vessel, or if a person unfit to operate a craft is allowed to use their property.