Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an enjoyable and exciting recreational activity that can be dangerous. If a negligent act leads to an accident, victims and their families may be entitled to monetary compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC boat accident lawyer will assist victims of injuries to claim the full amount of damages they are entitled to. A claim may include past medical expenses, as well as other economic damages.

Damages

While many people think of bodies of water with the Wild West in the United States, there are laws governing the boats on lakes and rivers as well as oceans. boat accident law firm accidents can trigger 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 make them vulnerable to civil action for negligence. Federal laws also deal with death and pollution at sea. Additionally, there are specific maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families access to compensation similar to workers' compensation in other industries.

If a loved one died in a fatal boat accident, the family may sue for damages, including lost companionship and funeral expenses. They may also sue for pain and suffering. Families can also seek reimbursement to pay medical bills in the past and future treatment costs.

If a boating accident resulted in injuries to you or your loved ones and loved ones, a New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine the kind of damages you might be entitled to claim. A personal injury lawyer can review your insurance coverage as well as the responsible party's boat liability policy to determine what compensation you are entitled to in a settlement or a verdict. A lawyer with experience can also determine if there other parties that could be responsible, for instance the manufacturer or part of the boat that was faulty.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters pursue damages to cover medical expenses (past and expected), lost income due to absences from work or pain and suffering emotional trauma, and damages to their boats. Most serious injuries involve neck and back injuries, brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis and internal organ damage.

Accidents involving boats can involve many individuals who could be responsible for the crash. This includes the operator of the boat, passengers aboard at the time of the incident and other watercrafts or boats involved, the manufacturers of boats as well as their parts, engines, and government agencies that set up buoys to warn people of dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer will be knowledgeable of federal and state maritime laws in order to determine who is responsible in the event of an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a boat who is injured at sea has rights to a compensation equal to that of workers' compensation recipients. Similar, sailors who suffer injuries in international waters or outer continental shelf waters can submit claims under the Jones Act as well as other maritime regulations of the federal government. The state workers' compensation laws also apply to injured maritime workers and families of sailors who have passed away.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence collected during the early stages of the legal process will help determine the strength and effectiveness of your case. For instance, taking photographs of the scene of the accident could be useful in determining the degree of who is responsible and how the boating collision happened. Eyewitnesses may also provide valuable information that will aid in proving your claim.

Medical records are crucial for establishing the extent of your injuries and injuries that result from them. These records should include thorough accounts of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, and the cost associated with these. You'll need to document the changes in your income and capacity to work, as well as any other non-financial loss.

Injuries to the spinal cord and brain are common in boat accidents. These injuries may be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation, or blunt force trauma when the head strikes the propeller of the boat. Most often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other types of marine injuries include mechanical failures for example, electrical or engine failure, steering system malfunction and gear shift issues. Our NYC lawyers for boating accidents will examine these cases to determine if the manufacturer should be held accountable for the injuries sustained by accident victims.

Filing a Claim

It is crucial to seek medical attention immediately for injuries following a boat accident attorneys accident however, you shouldn't make a statement to an insurance adjuster or other party without consulting a lawyer. Your attorney can protect your rights, including ensuring that you receive the proper compensation for the damage.

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 liable. It is common to present evidence in support of claims for damages both economic and noneconomic. Economic damages are the cost of medical treatment and other expenses arising from the accident, like the loss of income resulting from missing work. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering, and any other intangible loss that can be difficult to quantify.

In some instances, a boat manufacturer, or parts of the boat may be held responsible for an accident if their product was designed or manufactured in a flawed manner. A New York boating accident lawyer may investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In certain instances there are instances where it is not only the boat's operator who may be held liable for the event of a crash. The owner of the vessel can be held liable too, particularly in the event that they are responsible for hiring or training the person who is operating their vessel, or allow a person who isn't qualified to operate the boat on their property.