boat accident lawyer Accident Litigation

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

A NYC boat accident attorney can help injured victims get the amount they deserved. A claim can include past medical expenses, as well as other economic damages.

Damages

Many people think of bodies of water similar to the Wild West, there are laws that govern the boats on rivers, lakes and oceans throughout the United States. Boat accidents can be governed by various laws, both state and federal, that are considered when determining negligence. For instance, if the boat operator was drunk, this could open them up to civil litigation for negligence. Federal laws also 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 options to other industries.

If a loved-one was killed in a boating accident, the family can sue them on behalf of damages that include loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and pain and suffering. Families can even recover money to pay medical bills in the past and future medical expenses.

If a boating accident resulted in injuries to you or your loved ones, a New York City boat accident attorney can assist you in determining the type of damages you could be entitled to claim. An attorney for personal injury can examine your insurance policy and the policies regarding liability for boats of the responsible party to determine the compensation you are eligible to receive as part of a settlement or jury verdict. An experienced lawyer can also determine if there are other parties that could be accountable, such as the manufacturer or a component of the boat that was faulty.

Liability

In general, injured boaters seek compensation to cover medical costs (past and future) as well as lost income resulting from absence from work emotional trauma, as well as 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 often involve multiple people who could bear legal liability for boat accident a accident, including the vessel's operator, any other passengers who were onboard at the time of the accident as well as other watercraft and boats involved in the collision, manufacturers of the boats as well as their parts or engines and even authorities responsible for putting buoys to warn people of danger conditions. A personal injury attorney will be familiar with both state and federal maritime laws to determine who is accountable in an accident.

Under the Jones Act a worker on a vessel injured at sea enjoys the same rights as workers compensation beneficiaries. Additionally, sailors injured on international waters or in outer continental shelf waters are entitled to file a claim under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. Injured maritime workers and relatives of sailors who died have rights under state workers compensation laws.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence gathered in the initial stages of the legal process will help determine the strength and validity of your case. For instance, taking pictures of the scene of the accident can be useful in determining the degree of who is responsible and how the boating collision happened. It is also essential to collect information from eyewitnesses since they can be a valuable source of evidence that supports your claims.

Medical records are crucial for finding out the extent of your injuries as well as the damage they cause. These records should include detailed accounts of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments, and the expenses associated with these. You'll need to document any changes to your income and job capacity, boat accident as well as any other non-financial loss.

Boat accidents are usually related to brain and spinal cord injuries. The injuries in this category can be caused by oxygen deprivation carbon monoxide poisoning, blunt force trauma caused by hitting the head against areas like the propeller, or on the side of the boat. These injuries can have a life-changing effect.

Other kinds of marine injuries are caused by mechanical failures, such as engine failure or electrical failure or steering issues, as well as gear shift issues. Our NYC lawyers for boating accidents will examine these cases to determine whether the manufacturer can be held responsible for the injuries sustained by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

It is important to seek medical attention right away following an incident on the boat. However, you should consult a lawyer prior to submitting an account to the insurance adjuster or any other person. Your lawyer can protect your rights and ensure you get the money you need for your losses.

The legal process to seek compensation in the event of a boating accident involves filing an insurance claim or lawsuit against the party or parties that are responsible. It is common to present evidence to support claims for both non-economic and economic damages. Economic damages are those incurred as a result of medical treatment as well as other costs associated with the accident, like lost income from missed work. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering, and other intangible loss that is difficult to quantify.

In certain cases, a boat manufacturer, or a part of the vessel can be held responsible for a mishap if their product was constructed or designed 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 some instances, the boat operator may not be held liable for an accident. Owners of vessels can also be held accountable, particularly when the owner is responsible for hiring and training the person operating their vessel or when a person who is not fit to operate a craft is allowed on their property.