A Lawyer Can Help You File a Boat Accident Lawsuit

A boat accident can result in severe medical bills and financial stress. A lawyer can help you get you the compensation you're entitled to.

In general, you could be able to claim damages if you can prove an individual or entity, owed you an obligation of care, and then breached it. This led to your injuries. There are four key elements to an effective lawsuit over a boating accident:

Damages

Like other personal injury cases, victims of boat accident attorney accidents are entitled to compensation for their losses. These damages include medical expenses, lost earnings and future earnings potential damages to property emotional distress, suffering and pain.

The amount a jury awards will be contingent on the severity of your injuries and how long you'll take to recover from them. Catastrophic injuries usually result in higher settlements and jury awards. These injuries may include traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord injury (SCI) and permanent disfigurement.

It may be difficult to determine who should be held responsible for your boating incident. Your attorney will look into the causes of the accident and pinpoint any parties who could be held responsible for liability for your loss. This could include the boat owner or any other boat driver or anyone else aboard at the time of the accident.

In certain cases it could be possible to bring a claim against the manufacturer of the boat if there is evidence that it was an issue with the part that caused your injury. This is known as product liability and is governed by laws that are applicable to automobile manufacturers. Contact an attorney as quickly as you can if you're considering filing this type of claim. The lawyer will be able to guide you through the process and help ensure that all damages are paid.

Liability

It is vital to remember that, much like a car accident lawsuit a lawsuit for boating injuries must show four factors to be successful. This includes proving that the defendant's duty of care, the breach of that duty of care, actual damages and the causation. It's a complex job that requires the expertise of an attorney who specializes in personal injury.

Inattention and recklessness can result in accidents on boats. Boating safety regulations are to be followed, as do road rules. If the accident was the result of an operator's alcohol or drug use the person could also be held responsible. Due to the unpredictable nature of the water and weather boating requires a higher concentration and vigilance.

A successful lawsuit for a boating accident will result in compensatory damages which are meant to pay the victim for their expenses and losses. These expenses could include medical bills directly and lost wages due a loss of work. They also cover property damage and pain and suffering. Additionally, if you have health insurance, it will typically cover some of these expenses too. This is especially relevant for maritime workers who are covered through the Jones Act, a century-old regulation that provides injured maritime workers with a path to recovery similar to workers' comp.

Preparation

Compensation for injuries can help families cope with the financial burdens associated with their losses. Like car accidents, boating accidents are often involving several parties that could share the blame for the crash. It is important to consult a professional lawyer in the event of a claim for damages.

Typically, victims of boat accidents can obtain the same damages that they would be able to recover in a lawsuit for car accidents, including damage to property, medical costs and lost wages resulting from time lost at work. They can also seek compensation for emotional trauma and pain and suffering, and the loss of enjoyment from their lives.

Many factors can cause an accident while boating and, in many cases, an individual or company is held accountable for an incident that occurs on the waterway due to of their negligence. Boat owners, boat operators, Boat Accident law firm and employers are common defendants.

In certain instances the person who works on a boat may be eligible for workers' compensation if they are injured in an accident, however this is typically an independent process from filing a personal injury claim for the same incident.

Filing

A serious boating accident is devastating regardless of whether you own a luxurious yacht or a small fishing boat. A skilled attorney can assist you in recovering damages for your loss.

Similar to car accidents a person injured in a boating incident may pursue a personal injury suit against the responsible party for damages. A successful claim can cover medical expenses loss of income, pain and discomfort, and other financial losses as a result of the incident. The severity of your injuries plays an important part in how the defendant is likely to owe you. A victim with a severe spinal cord injury, or traumatic brain damage will likely face huge medical bills as well as a loss of earning potential in the future.

In addition to showing negligence, a plaintiff must also prove causation. This means that the defendant breached their duty to exercise reasonable care to prevent harm to others on the water, and this was the primary cause of your injuries. A few examples of breaches include operating a Boat Accident Law Firm under the influence of alcohol or recklessly losing control of a vessel, or failing to allow enough room for other vessels.

A seasoned attorney will assess the evidence and determine who is responsible for your accident. The attorney can also negotiate with the insurance company of the defendant and other legal counsel on behalf of you. If a settlement is not reached the case will be heard at trial, where the jury will take a decision on the liability and damages.