Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an enjoyable and exciting activity to enjoy, but it could be dangerous. If a negligent action leads to an accident, victims and their families could be entitled to compensation for the injuries and losses.

A NYC lawyer for boat accidents can help injured victims claim the amount of damages they are entitled to. A claim can include past medical expenses, along with other economic damages.

Damages

While many people associate bodies of water with the Wild West in the United States, there are laws governing the boats on rivers and lakes as well as oceans. Boat accidents may be governed by a variety of federal and state laws that are considered in determining if negligence took place. If a boater is drunk, they may be sued for negligence. Federal laws also deal with pollution and deaths at the sea. Additionally, there are special maritime regulations such as the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families access for compensation similar to workers' compensation in other industries.

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

If a boat accident has caused injuries to you or your loved ones If you or your loved ones were injured, a New York City boat accident attorney can help you determine the kind of damages you might be entitled to claim. A personal injury lawyer will look over your insurance policy and the responsible party's boat liability policies to determine what type of damages you could be entitled to receive in a settlement or a verdict. Additionally, a knowledgeable lawyer can assess whether there are any other parties who could be responsible for the accident, including the manufacturer of the defective boat or component.

Liability

In general, injured boaters seek compensation to cover medical costs (past and future) as well as lost income resulting from time away from work emotional trauma, and suffering and pain. Serious injuries commonly involve neck and Boat back injuries, brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis, and boat internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve many people who could be held accountable for the collision. These include the operator of the boat, any passengers who were aboard at the time of accident and other watercrafts or boats involved, the makers of boats as well as their parts, engines, and government agencies that set up buoys to warn people of dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer will be familiar with federal and state maritime laws to determine who is liable for an accident.

Under the Jones Act a worker on a vessel who is injured at sea has similar rights as workers compensation beneficiaries. Similarly, sailors who are injured in international waters or in the outer continental shelf waters have the right to submit a claim under Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. The families of injured maritime workers and the families of deceased sailors also are entitled to compensation under state workers compensation laws.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence collected in the early stages of the legal process will aid in determining the strength and validity of your case. Photographing the accident scene can help determine the extent of liability and help determine how the boating collision happened. Eyewitnesses may also provide important information to support your claim.

Medical records are essential to finding out the extent of your injuries and the damage they cause. The records should include thorough details of hospital and doctor visitations as well as rehabilitation procedures, surgeries and the costs associated with them. You will need to document changes in your income and job capacity, as well with any other non-financial losses.

Boat accidents are often associated with brain and spinal cord injuries. These injuries can be caused by oxygen deprivation, carbon monoxide poisoning or blunt force trauma that results from hitting the head on areas like the propeller or side of the boat. In most cases, these injuries can be life-changing.

Other types of marine injuries include mechanical failures, such as electrical or engine problems in steering, abrasions, and problems with gear shifts. In these cases our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will investigate to determine if a manufacturer can be held accountable for injuries suffered by victims of accidents.

How to File a Claim

It is important to seek medical attention immediately after an accident on the water. However, you should consult a lawyer before giving an account to the insurance adjuster or any other person. A lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure you get the compensation you deserve for damages.

The legal process for seeking compensation in the event of a boating accident involves filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the person or parties who are responsible. This typically involves presenting evidence to support a claim for economic as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages can include medical expenses and other expenses incurred as a result of the accident, which includes lost income due to missed work. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, and other forms of loss that may be difficult to quantify.

In certain cases the boat manufacturer or parts of the boat accident lawsuits can be held accountable for an accident if their product was designed or manufactured in a flawed manner. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer will determine if product responsibility is involved and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In some cases, the boat operator may not be held responsible for a collision. Owners of vessels can be held accountable, especially if the owner is responsible for hiring and training the person operating their vessel or when a person who is not fit to operate a vessel is allowed to use their property.