Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an enjoyable and thrilling recreational activity that is also risky. If a negligent action leads to an accident, the victims and their families may be entitled to financial compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC boat accident attorney can help injured victims get the full amount they deserve. The claim may cover past medical expenses, along with other economic damages.

Damages

Although many people imagine bodies of water like the Wild West, there are laws that govern the vessels on lakes, rivers and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can involve multiple federal and boat accident attorney state laws that are taken into consideration in determining if negligence took place. If a boat driver is drunk, they could be sued for negligence. There are also federal laws that deal with the issue of pollution and deaths at sea. There are maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with a similar compensation options to other industries.

If a loved one died in a fatal boat crash, the family may sue for damages, including loss of companionship and funeral expenses. They can also sue for pain and suffering. Families can recover money to cover medical bills from the past and future medical treatment.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you to determine if you or your loved one was injured during a boat accident. A personal injury lawyer can review your insurance coverage as well as the responsible party's policies on boat liability to determine the type of compensation you might be entitled to receive in a settlement or a verdict. In addition, an experienced lawyer can assess whether there are any additional parties who may be accountable for the accident, including the manufacturer of the boat or part.

Liability

In general, injured boaters seek damages to recover medical expenses (past and future) as well as lost income resulting from absence from work emotional trauma, and pain and suffering. Injuries that are serious typically involve back and neck injury as well as brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis, and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve many people who could be held accountable for the accident. This includes the operator of the boat, passengers on board at the time of the accident as well as the other watercraft or boats involved, the makers of boats as well as their parts, engines and government agencies that place buoys to alert people of dangers. A personal injury lawyer will be aware of the details of state law as well as federal maritime laws to determine who might be held accountable in the event of a collision.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a vessel who is injured at sea has rights to compensation similar to those of workers' compensation beneficiaries. Similar to this, sailors who are who suffer injuries in international waters or outer continental shelf waters are entitled to file claims under the Jones Act as well as other maritime regulations of the federal government. Workers' compensation laws of the state laws also apply to maritime workers injured and the families of sailors who died.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence gathered in the initial stages of the legal process will help determine the strength and legitimacy of your case. For example, taking photographs of the scene of the accident can be helpful for determining liability as well as establishing how the boating collision occurred. Eyewitnesses can also provide important information to help you prove your claim.

Medical records are essential for determining the extent of your injuries as well as the damage that resulted from it. They should contain detailed accounts of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments, and the costs associated with these. You'll need to document changes in your income and employment capacity, as with any other non-financial losses.

Boat accidents are usually caused by brain and spinal cord injuries. These injuries can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation, or blunt force trauma, when the head is struck by the propeller of the boat. These injuries can have a life-changing impact.

Other kinds of marine injuries involve mechanical problems, such as electrical or engine failure, steering problems, and problems with gear shifts. In these cases, our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will determine if the manufacturer should be held accountable for the injuries sustained by accident victims.

Filing a Claim

While it is vital to seek medical attention for injuries immediately following a boating incident but you should not provide an account to an insurance adjuster or other party without consulting a lawyer. Your lawyer can protect your rights and ensure you get the money you deserve for damages.

To seek compensation after a boating accident and you need to file an insurance claim, or an action against the party(ies) responsible. It is common to present evidence in support of claims for damages both economic and noneconomic. Economic damages may include medical costs and other expenses that result from the accident, which includes lost income due to missed work. Non-economic damages can include pain, suffering, and other forms of loss that may be difficult to quantify.

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

In some cases the boat's owner might not be held responsible for an accident. The owner of a vessel is liable in addition, especially when they are responsible for hiring or boat accident attorney training the person who operates their vessel or permit someone who isn't qualified to operate the vessel on their premises.