How a Boat Accident Lawyer Can Help You File a Claim

A New York boat accident law firm accident attorney can help you file a claim if you are injured in the water or in a marina. They will offer advice to assess the merits of your claim, and negotiate with insurance companies.

Most boat accident lawsuits involve negligence. You could be awarded compensation if your lawyer is able to prove an breach of duty as well as damages.

Damages

A boating accident can cause devastating injuries, just like other kind of crash. Some of the injuries that can occur include drowning, oxygen deprivation injuries, fractured bones and brain trauma. A competent lawyer can assist you in getting the compensation you deserve for these losses.

Like car accidents, a boating accident case hinges on proving negligence of the responsible party. A lawyer can do an extensive investigation and take photos of the scene of an accident and injuries to prove responsibility. They can also assist in locating medical records as well as other documentation to back your claim. They can also help you learn about comparative liability laws in the event that your situation is impacted.

Boating accidents can cause both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those that are more easily verified, such as past and future medical costs for your injury. These could also include loss of income due to your injuries, as well as any changes to your ability to work in the future. Noneconomic damages may be subjective and could include pain and discomfort, inconvenience and loss of enjoyment life, emotional distress, and many more. A lawyer can help you determine the value of your damages, and file a lawsuit or insurance claim against the people responsible for your injuries. They also handle cases that involve government agencies such as the Coast Guard and police.

Insurance

When someone is injured as a result of a boating accident, costs can quickly mount up. Medical bills can easily reach thousands of dollars, and if surgery is required, costs could be more.

An attorney for personal injury can help injured people recover the compensation they need. He or she can investigate and prepare the necessary paperwork for an accident on the water. They can also discuss with insurance companies to get maximum compensation.

Additionally a lawyer for boat accidents can determine which parties are at fault and how much insurance coverage they have. Responsible operators and owners have insurance for liability on boats that can pay for injuries, but not everyone does. Make sure to check your boating and homeowners insurance policies if you rent or take a loan on a boat, boat accident lawsuits to determine what coverage you are entitled to.

Reporting boat accidents to authorities is vital. An official police report can be used to establish negligence as well as other facts in a claim for damages. Also, it is an excellent idea to speak with witnesses to get their accounts. It is also helpful to collect the names, contact information and insurance policy numbers for everyone participants in the boat accident, especially the operators of the boats.

Liability

You could be entitled to reimbursement for past and future medical expenses when you're the victim of a boating incident. This includes hospital bills, emergency room services, doctor appointments therapy sessions, and the expenses of medication. Your NYC boat accident lawyer will be able to prove these expenses and will make sure that the totality of your losses are included in the compensation you receive.

Most injuries incurred in boat accidents are caused by either negligent or reckless behavior by a boat owner or operator. Certain injuries are caused by the failure to have the necessary safety equipment like life jackets, fire extinguishers or navigational lights. The claim can also be filed against a manufacturer of a defective boat or boat accident lawsuits a component of the boat, such as water skis.

If you've been injured while working on a commercial boat it is possible to make a claim under the Jones Act. A New York boat accident attorney will examine your case and provide additional information about this special law. Your lawyer will also negotiate on your behalf with the responsible parties and their lawyers, as well as the insurance companies. If an acceptable settlement cannot be reached your attorney will draft an appeal on your behalf to ensure justice.

Time Limits

There are several laws that govern boating as well as other watercrafts. These regulations cover driving, passing and ceding the right-of-way among others. These regulations also require that boaters remain in a safe place, refrain from overloading or causing damage to their boats, and discourage risky behaviors like weaving into traffic or hopping in the wake. A negligent act by an operator or another party involved in a boating accident could result in serious injuries, and sometimes even death.

A lawyer for boat accidents will guide you through the legal system, analyze the strength of your claim, and defend your rights. They can also aid you in pursuing monetary compensation providing medical documentation and other evidence.

Since a case involving a boat accident involves issues adjudicated under maritime law as well as the state's personal injury law, it could take longer to resolve than an auto accident claim. This is due to the fact that an attorney must collect eyewitness testimonies and police reports and other evidence before negotiations can begin. Depending on the nature of your case, pre-litigation discussions can last anywhere between a few weeks and six months. If you are an employee of a commercial fisherman cruise ship, sightseeing or cruise ship or any other type of worker who is working on boats as part of his or her job, you may be entitled to workers' compensation under maritime law. A NY boat accident attorney can also represent these claims.