boat accident attorneys Accident Litigation

Boating can be an exciting and enjoyable recreational activity but it's also a risky one. If a negligent action leads to an accident, the victim and their families could be entitled to compensation for the injuries and losses.

A NYC boat accident lawyer can help injured victims claim the maximum amount of compensation they are entitled to. A claim can be the demand for boat accident lawyer past medical expenses and other economic damages.

Damages

While many people associate bodies of water with the Wild West in the United States There are laws that govern the vessels on rivers and lakes as well as oceans. Boat accidents can involve many 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 deaths at sea. There are also maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with similar compensation pathway to other industries.

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

A New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine whether you or a loved one was injured in an accident on the water. A personal injury lawyer will review your insurance coverage as well as the responsible party's boat liability policies to determine the type of compensation you might be entitled to receive in a settlement or a verdict. A lawyer with experience can also assess if there are other parties who may be responsible, for instance the manufacturer, or even a part of the boat that was faulty.

Liability

In general, boaters who are injured seek compensation to cover medical expenses (past and future) and lost income due to time away from work, emotional trauma and suffering and pain. The most serious injuries are neck and back injuries, brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents typically involve multiple parties that could be liable for legal responsibility for a accident, including the vessel's operator, any passengers who were onboard at the time of the incident or other watercraft and boats involved in the collision, manufacturers of the boats and their parts or engines, and even authorities responsible for putting buoys to warn people of danger conditions. A personal injury attorney will be knowledgeable of both state and federal maritime laws in order to determine who is accountable for an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a vessel who is injured at sea is entitled to compensation that are similar to those of workers' compensation recipients. In the same way, sailors injured on international waters or in the outer continental shelf waters have the right to make a claim under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. State workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers who are injured as well as the families of sailors who have died.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence you gather in the beginning stages of the legal process could help determine the strength of your case. Photographing the accident scene can help determine liability and establish how the boating incident occurred. It's also important to obtain information from eyewitnesses since they can provide valuable testimony that can support your claims.

Medical records are critical for understanding the severity of your injuries and the related damages. They should contain detailed reports of hospital and doctor visitations and surgeries, rehabilitation treatments and the costs associated with them. Additionally, you should keep track of any changes in your employment and income capacity as well as 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 result from oxygen deficiency, carbon monoxide poisoning or blunt force trauma from hitting the head on areas like the propeller or sides of the boat. These injuries can have a life-changing effect.

Other types of maritime injuries include mechanical failures, such as engine or electrical failure, steering system malfunction and gear shift issues. Our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will analyze these cases to determine if the manufacturer should be held responsible for the injuries sustained by accident victims.

The process of filing a claim

It is crucial to seek medical attention immediately for injuries following a boating incident however, you shouldn't make an account to an insurance adjuster or other party without first consulting a lawyer. Your lawyer will protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation that you are entitled to for the damages you have suffered.

The legal procedure to seek compensation for a boating accident is to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the person or parties who are liable. It is commonplace to present evidence to support the claim, which includes both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages may include medical costs and other expenses caused by the accident, such as lost income due to missed work. Noneconomic damages include pain and suffering as well as other intangible losses which are harder to quantify.

In certain cases the boat manufacturer or an element of the boat may be held liable for an accident if their product was manufactured or designed in a way that was defective. A skilled New York boating injury lawyer will determine if product liability is involved and pursue compensation from the parties responsible.

In some instances it's not just the operator of a vessel who may be held liable for an accident. Owners of vessels can also be held accountable, in particular in the event that the owner is responsible for hiring and training the person operating their vessel or when a person not qualified to operate a vessel is allowed to use their property.