Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an exciting and enjoyable recreational activity but it's also a risky one. If a negligent act leads to an accident, victims and their families could be entitled to financial compensation for the injuries and losses.

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

Damages

While many people think of bodies of water like the Wild West, there are laws that govern boats on rivers, lakes and oceans throughout the United States. Boat accidents can involve multiple federal and state laws that are considered in determining if negligence took place. If a boater is drunk, they may be liable for negligence. Federal laws also deal with death and pollution at sea. There are also maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with similar compensation to other industries.

If a loved-one was killed in a fatal boat accident, the family could sue for boat accident law Firms damages including loss of companionship and funeral costs. They may also sue for pain and suffering. Families can also recover money for medical bills from the past and future medical expenses.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine if you or your loved ones were injured in an accident on the boat. A personal injury lawyer will review your insurance coverage and the responsible party's policies on Boat accident law firms liability to determine what type of compensation you might be entitled to in a settlement or verdict. In addition, an experienced lawyer can assess whether there are any other parties who may be accountable for the accident, including the manufacturer of the defective boat or component.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters pursue damages to recover medical expenses (past and anticipated) and lost earnings due to time missed from work as well as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damage to their boats. The most serious injuries are neck and back injuries or brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis and internal organ damage.

In boating accidents, there are a variety of parties that could be liable for legal liability for a collision, including the boat's operator, passengers who were aboard at the time of the accident along with other watercraft and vessels involved in the collision, the manufacturers of the boats and their components or engines as well as government agencies responsible for placing buoys to warn of dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer will know the ins and outs of both state law and federal maritime laws to determine who might be liable in a collision.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a boat who suffers an injury on the sea is entitled to compensation similar to those of workers' compensation recipients. In the same way, sailors injured on international waters or in the outer continental shelf waters have the right to claim compensation under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. Workers' compensation laws also apply to injured maritime workers and families of sailors who have died.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence collected in the early stages of the legal process will aid in determining the strength and validity of your case. For instance, taking pictures of the scene of the accident could be useful in determining the degree of liability as well as establishing how the boating collision occurred. It's also important to obtain information from eyewitnesses, as they can be a valuable source of evidence that supports your claims.

Medical records are vital for in determining the severity of your injuries, and the damage that resulted from it. These records should include precise accounts of doctor and hospital visits as well as rehabilitation procedures, surgeries as well as the expenses associated with them. You should document changes in your income and employment capacity, as well with any other non-financial losses.

Boat accidents are typically associated with brain and spinal cord injuries. These injuries may be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma if the head strikes the propeller of the boat. In most cases, these injuries can be life-changing.

Other forms of marine injuries are caused by mechanical issues for example, electrical or engine failure as well as steering system malfunctions and gear shift issues. Our NYC boating accident attorneys will examine these cases to determine whether the manufacturer should be accountable for the injuries sustained by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

It is important to seek medical attention as soon as you notice an accident on the water. However, it is recommended to consult a lawyer prior to submitting an account to the insurance adjuster or any other person. A lawyer can defend your rights and ensure you get the money you need for your losses.

In order to obtain compensation after a boating accident, you will need to file an insurance claim, or an action against the party(ies) responsible. This usually includes presenting evidence to support a claim for economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses and other expenses that are incurred due to the accident, which includes loss of income due to missing work. Non-economic damages can include pain, suffering, and any other intangible losses that are difficult to quantify.

In some cases a boat manufacturer or Boat Accident Law Firms an element of the boat can be held liable for an accident if their product was created or manufactured in a manner that was not safe. A New York boating accident lawyer will investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In some cases it's not just the boat's operator who may be held liable for a crash. The owner of the vessel can be held liable too, particularly if they are responsible for hiring or training the person who operates their vessel or allow someone who is unfit to operate a boat on their property.