Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is an enjoyable and thrilling recreational activity that could be dangerous. If negligence causes an accident the victims and their families could be entitled to compensation for the loss and injuries.

A NYC lawyer for boat accidents can help injured victims get the compensation they deserve. A claim is an obligation to pay for medical expenses and other economic damages.

Damages

While many people think of bodies of water as if they were the Wild West, there are laws that govern boats that are moored on lakes, rivers and oceans throughout the United States. Boat accidents can be governed by a number of laws, both state and federal, that are considered when determining the degree of negligence. If a boater is drunk, they could be liable for negligence. Federal laws also deal with pollution and deaths at sea. There are maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with similar compensation pathways to other industries.

If a loved one was killed in a boating accident that killed them, the family can sue to recover damages, including lost companionship and funeral expenses. They may also sue for pain and suffering. Families can recover money to cover medical costs from the past and future treatment.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine whether you or your loved ones were injured in an accident on the water. A personal injury attorney can examine your insurance policy as well as the Boat Accident law firm liability policies of the responsible party to determine the compensation you may be eligible to receive as part of a settlement or jury verdict. In addition, an experienced lawyer can assess whether there are any other parties that may be liable for the accident, including the manufacturer of the defective boat or part.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters pursue damages to cover medical expenses (past and expected) as well as lost income due to absences from work as well as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damage to their boats. The most serious injuries are neck and back injuries as well as brain traumas, fractured bones and internal organ damage.

In boating accidents, there are a variety of parties that could potentially bear legal responsibility for the collision, such as the boat's operator, other passengers who were aboard at the time of the accident along with other watercraft and vessels involved in the collision, the manufacturers of the boats as well as their engines or parts as well as the government agencies that are responsible for putting up buoys to warn of dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer can be familiar with the details of both state law and boat Accident Law firm federal maritime laws to determine who can be held accountable in the event of a collision.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a boat who is injured at sea has rights to a compensation equal to that of workers' compensation beneficiaries. Also, sailors who are injured in international waters or in outer continental shelf waters are entitled to claim compensation under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. The families of injured maritime workers and the relatives of sailors who died have claims under state worker' compensation laws.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence you gather during the initial stages of the legal process can aid in determining the strength of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident will help determine the liability and reveal how the boating collision happened. Eyewitnesses also can provide important information to help you prove your claim.

Medical records are critical for in determining the extent of your injuries and associated damages. These records should include detailed details of doctor and hospital visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, as well as the costs associated with these. You'll need to document changes in your income and employment capacity, as well for any other financial loss.

Boat accidents are often associated with brain and spinal cord injuries. These injuries can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma, when the head hits the propeller of the boat. The majority of the time, these injuries are life-changing.

Other types of marine injuries involve mechanical issues, for example electrical or engine failure in steering, abrasions, and problems with gear shifts. Our NYC lawyers for boating accidents will examine these cases to determine whether the manufacturer can be accountable for the injuries sustained by accident victims.

The process of filing a claim

You should seek medical attention immediately after a boating accident. However, you should consult a lawyer prior to submitting a statement to the insurance adjuster or to any other party. A lawyer can defend your rights and ensure you get the money you deserve for any damages.

The legal process for seeking compensation for a boating accident is to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the person or parties who are responsible. This usually includes providing evidence to support a claim for economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are the cost of medical treatment as well as other costs associated with the accident, including lost earnings from work missed. Noneconomic damages are those that result from 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 vessel can be held responsible for a mishap if their product was designed or manufactured in a flawed manner. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer will determine if product liability is involved and pursue compensation from the responsible parties.

In some cases there are instances where it is not only the boat's operator that could be held accountable for a crash. Owners of vessels can be held accountable, in particular if the owner is responsible for the hiring and training of the person who operates their vessel, or if a person unfit to operate a vessel is allowed to use their property.