Boat Accident Litigation

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

A NYC boat accident attorney can assist injured victims in getting the amount they are due. The claim may cover past medical expenses, as well as other economic damages.

Damages

While many people think of waters like the Wild West, there are laws that govern boats that are moored on lakes, rivers, and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can trigger several federal and state laws that are considered when determining the degree of negligence. If a boat driver is drunk, they could be sued for negligence. Federal laws also address pollution and boat accident 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 boat accident, the family members may sue them on behalf of damages including funeral expenses, lost companionship as well as pain and suffering. Families can collect money to cover medical costs from the past and future treatment.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you to determine if you or your loved one was injured during a boat accident. A personal injury lawyer will look over your insurance policy and the policies regarding liability for boats of the responsible party to determine the compensation you may be eligible to receive as part of the settlement or verdict of a jury. A lawyer with experience will also be able to determine if there are any other parties that could be accountable, such as the manufacturer or part of the boat that was faulty.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters seek damages to cover medical expenses (past and expected) as well as lost income due to the time they miss from work or pain and suffering emotional trauma, and damages to their boats. Injuries that are serious typically involve back and Boat accident neck injury, brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis or internal organ damage.

Boating accidents usually involve multiple people who could bear legal responsibility for the collision, such as the boat's operator, any passengers on board at the time of the incident as well as other watercraft and boats involved in the collision, manufacturers of the boats and their engines or parts, and even authorities responsible for putting buoys to warn of hazardous conditions. A personal injury lawyer will be aware of the rules and regulations of both state law and federal maritime laws to determine who may be responsible in a collision.

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

Gathering Evidence

Evidence collected in the early 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 could be useful in determining the extent of liability as well as establishing how the boating collision occurred. It is also essential to collect information from eyewitnesses, as they can offer valuable evidence to support your claims.

Medical records are crucial for finding out the extent of your injuries and injuries that result from them. They should contain detailed accounts of doctor and hospital visits surgery, rehabilitation and the associated costs them. You'll need to record the changes in your income and job capacity, as well in any other losses that are not financial.

Injuries to the spinal cord and brain are common in boat collisions. These injuries may be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation, or blunt force trauma, when your head strikes the propeller of the boat. These injuries can cause life-altering impact.

Other kinds 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 lawyer for boating accidents will investigate to determine if the manufacturer should be held accountable for the injuries suffered by victims of accidents.

How to File a Claim

While it is important to seek medical attention for injuries immediately following a boat accident lawyers accident and you should not make an account to an insurance adjuster, or another party without first consulting a lawyer. An attorney can help protect your rights and ensure that you are compensated in a fair manner for any damages.

To seek compensation following a boating collision you must file an insurance claim, or a lawsuit against the party(ies) responsible. This typically includes the presentation of evidence to justify a claim of economic as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages are medical expenses and other expenses that result from the accident, including the loss of income resulting from missing work. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering and other intangible losses that may be harder to quantify.

In some cases, the manufacturer of a boat or one of its components could be held accountable for an accident if their product was defectively made or designed. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer can investigate whether product responsibility is involved and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In some cases the boat's operator might not be held responsible for a collision. The owner of a vessel could be held accountable too, particularly when they are responsible for hiring or training the person who is operating their boat or permit someone who is unfit to operate the vessel on their premises.