Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is a fun and thrilling activity for the whole family, but it can be risky. If negligence leads to an accident the victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for injuries and loss.

A NYC boat accident lawyer can help injured victims claim the maximum amount of compensation they deserve. A claim will include 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 the vessels that travel on rivers, lakes and oceans throughout the United States. Boat accidents can be governed by a number of federal and state laws which are considered when determining negligence. If a boat driver is drunk, they could be liable for negligence. There are also federal laws that address 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 pathways to other industries.

If a loved-one was killed in a fatal boat crash, the family can sue to recover damages, including lost companionship and funeral costs. They may also sue for pain and suffering. Families can seek compensation to pay for medical expenses from the past and future treatment.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine whether you or your loved ones were injured in an accident on the boat accident lawsuits. A personal injury attorney can examine your insurance policy and the boat liability policies of the responsible party to determine the compensation you are eligible to receive as part of settlement or a jury verdict. A lawyer with experience will also be able to determine if there are other parties who may be liable, like the manufacturer or a component of the boat accident attorneys that was faulty.

Liability

In general, injured boaters seek damages to recover medical costs (past and future) and lost income due to the absence of work emotional trauma and pain and suffering. Injuries that are serious typically involve neck and back injuries or brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis, and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve many people who could be held accountable for the accident. These include the boat operator, passengers on board at the time of accident as well as the other watercraft or boats involved, manufacturers of boats as well as their parts, engines and government agencies that put up buoys to warn the public of dangerous conditions. An attorney for personal injury is familiar with both state and federal maritime laws in order to determine who is responsible in the event of an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a vessel who suffers an injury on the sea has rights to compensation that are similar to those of workers' compensation recipients. Similar, sailors injured in international waters or outer continental shelf waters can make claims under the Jones Act as well as other maritime regulations of the federal government. Families and maritime workers who have been injured as well as the families of sailors who have died have claims under state workers compensation laws.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence gathered in the initial stages of the legal process can aid in determining the strength and validity of your case. For instance, taking photos of the scene of the accident can help determine the liability as well as establishing the circumstances of the boating accident. Eyewitnesses may also provide valuable evidence to back your claim.

Medical records are vital for understanding the severity of your injuries, as well as the damages that resulted. The records should contain thorough accounts of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, and the costs associated with these. It is also necessary to record any changes to your income and employment as well as other non-financial losses.

Boat accidents are frequently related to 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. In most cases, these injuries can be life-changing.

Other kinds of marine injuries include mechanical failures, such as electrical or engine failure such as steering issues, engine failure, and problems with gear shifts. Our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will investigate these cases to determine whether the manufacturer is held responsible for the injuries suffered by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

While it is essential to seek medical attention immediately following a boat accident, you should not offer an account to an insurance adjuster, or another party without consulting with a lawyer. A lawyer can defend your rights and ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve for boat accident damages.

To seek compensation after a boating accident you must make an insurance claim or an action against the party(ies) responsible. This typically includes presenting evidence to support a claim for financial and noneconomic damages. Economic damages may include medical costs and other expenses incurred as a result of the accident, which includes loss of income due to missing work. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering and other intangible damages that may be harder to quantify.

In certain cases, the manufacturer of a vessel or one of its components could be held responsible for an accident in the event that their product was defectively constructed or designed. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer can determine if a product's liability is involved and pursue compensation from the responsible parties.

In certain instances it's not just the operator of a boat who could be held responsible for a crash. Owners of vessels can also be held accountable, particularly if the owner is responsible for the hiring and training of the person operating their vessel or when a person who is not fit to operate a boat is allowed on their property.