Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be a thrilling and enjoyable leisure activity, however, it can be a danger. If negligence leads to an accident the victims and their families could be entitled to compensation for injuries and loss.

A NYC boat accident lawyer can assist injured victims in obtaining the full amount of damages they are entitled to. A claim is the demand for past medical expenses and other economic damages.

Damages

Although many people imagine waters like the Wild West, there are laws that govern vessels on lakes, rivers and oceans throughout the United States. Boat accidents can trigger multiple federal and state laws that are considered to determine if negligence was the cause. For example, if a boat operator was drunk, this could make them vulnerable to civil lawsuits based on negligence. Federal laws also address death and pollution at sea. Furthermore, boat accident law Firm there are specific maritime regulations like the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families access to compensation that is comparable to workers who receive 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 suffering and pain. Families can seek compensation to pay for medical expenses from the past and any future treatment.

If a boating accident has caused injuries to you or your loved ones and loved ones, a New York City boat accident law firm accident lawyer can help you determine what type of damages you are entitled to claim. A personal injury lawyer will examine your insurance coverage and the responsible party's policies on boat liability to determine the amount of compensation you may be entitled to in a settlement or a verdict. Additionally, a skilled lawyer can assess whether there are any other individuals who are liable for the accident, such as the manufacturer of a defective boat or boat component.

Liability

Typically, injured boaters seek damages to cover medical expenses (past and anticipated), lost income due to the time they miss from work in pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damage to their boats. Serious injuries commonly involve neck and back injuries and brain trauma, fractured bones, paralysis or internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve a variety of parties that could be held accountable for the accident. This includes the boat operator, passengers aboard at the time of the accident as well as other watercraft or boats involved, the manufacturers of boats as well as their parts, engines and government agencies who place buoys to warn people of dangerous conditions. An attorney for personal injury will be familiar with federal and state maritime laws in order to determine who is accountable for an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a boat who is injured at sea is entitled to a compensation equal to that of workers' compensation beneficiaries. In the same way, sailors injured in international waters or in outer continental shelf waters have the right to make a claim under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. The state workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers who have been injured as well as the families of sailors who died.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence gathered during the initial stages of the legal process could help you determine the strength of your case. Photographing the accident scene can help establish liability and help determine the circumstances of the boating accident. Eyewitnesses may also provide valuable information that will back your claim.

Medical records are essential for in determining the severity of your injuries and the damages that resulted. The records should include thorough accounts of doctor and hospital visitations, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments as well as the expenses associated with them. Additionally, you should record any changes to your income or employment and any other losses that are not financial in nature.

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

Other kinds of marine accidents involve mechanical issues, like engine failure or electrical failure in steering, abrasions, and gear shift issues. Our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will analyze these cases to determine whether the manufacturer can be held accountable for the injuries sustained by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

You should seek medical attention as soon as you notice an accident on the water. However, you should consult a lawyer prior to submitting a statement to the insurance adjuster or any other person. A lawyer can defend your rights and ensure you get the money you are entitled to for the damages you have suffered.

In order to seek compensation after a boating accident you must submit an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the party(ies) responsible. This usually includes providing evidence to support a claim for economic as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses and other expenses incurred as a result of the accident, including the loss of income resulting from missing work. Non-economic damages include pain, suffering, and other intangible loss that is difficult to quantify.

In some cases, a boat manufacturer or a component of the boat may be held liable for an accident when their product was constructed or designed in a way that was defective. A New York boating accident lawyer can investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In some cases the boat owner may not be held liable for a collision. Boat owners can also be held accountable, particularly when they are responsible for the hiring and training of the person who operates their vessel or when a person not qualified to operate a craft is allowed to use their property.