Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be a thrilling and enjoyable leisure activity, however, it can also be dangerous. If a negligent action leads to an accident, the victim and their families could be entitled to financial compensation for injuries and losses.

A NYC boat accident lawyer can help injured victims claim the amount of damages they deserve. A claim may include past medical expenses and 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 trigger many federal and state laws which are considered when determining negligence. For instance, if the boat operator was drunk, this could lead to civil lawsuits based on negligence. There are federal laws that address death and pollution at sea. In addition, there are specific maritime regulations such as the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families a pathway to compensation that is similar to workers' compensation in other industries.

If a loved one was killed in a boat accident, the family members may sue for damages, including lost companionship, funeral expenses as well as pain and suffering. Families can also recover money to pay medical bills in the past and future costs for treatment.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine if you or your loved one was injured in an accident on the water. A personal injury attorney can examine your insurance policy as well as the policies regarding liability for boats of the responsible party to determine the compensation you may be eligible to receive as part of an agreement or jury verdict. Additionally, a knowledgeable lawyer can assess whether there are any additional parties who may be accountable for the accident, such as the manufacturer of a defective boat or boat component.

Liability

In general, injured boaters seek damages to recover medical costs (past and future), lost income from time away from work, emotional trauma and pain and suffering. Serious injuries commonly involve neck and back injuries, brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis or internal organ damage.

Boating accidents may involve many parties who could be held accountable for the accident. This includes the boat's operator, passengers on board at the time of the collision, other boats or watercraft involved, the makers of boats, their parts, engines, and government agencies that set up buoys to warn the public of dangers. A personal injury lawyer is well-versed in federal and state maritime laws to determine who is accountable in the event of an accident.

Under the Jones Act a worker on a vessel who is injured at sea has similar rights to those of workers compensation beneficiaries. Similarly, sailors who are injured in international waters or in outer continental shelf waters have the right to file a claim under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. Injured maritime workers and families of sailors who have died have claims under state worker law on compensation.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence collected during the early 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 the circumstances of the boating accident. Eyewitnesses may also provide important information to aid in proving your claim.

Medical records are essential to establishing the extent of your injuries and associated damages. They should contain detailed details of hospital and doctor visitations as well as rehabilitation procedures, surgeries and the costs associated with them. Additionally, you should note any changes to your income and employment along with other losses that are not financial in nature.

Boat accidents are frequently related to brain and spinal cord injuries. The injuries in this category can be caused by oxygen deprivation carbon monoxide poisoning, nvspwiki.hnue.edu.vn blunt force trauma that results from hitting the head on places such as the propeller or the side of the boat. Often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other types of marine injuries include mechanical issues, like electrical or engine problems or steering issues, as well as problems with gear shifts. In these cases our NYC boating accident lawyers will determine if a company should be held responsible for injuries suffered by accident victims.

Filing a Claim

While it is essential to seek medical attention for injuries as soon as you can after a boating accident, you should not offer a statement to an insurance adjuster or other party without consulting a lawyer. A lawyer can defend your rights and ensure that you get the money you need for your losses.

In order to seek compensation after a boating accident and you need to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the party(ies) responsible. This usually involves providing evidence to support a claim for economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses 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 forms of loss that is difficult to quantify.

In some instances the manufacturer of a vessel or one of its parts could be held accountable for an accident when their product was not properly created or manufactured. A New York boating accident lawyer will investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In certain instances it's not just the person who operates a boat who could be held responsible for the event of a crash. Boat owners can also be held accountable, in particular if the owner is responsible for hiring and training the person who operates their vessel, or when a person not qualified to operate a craft is allowed to use their property.