Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be a thrilling and enjoyable leisure activity, however, it can also be dangerous. If a negligent act leads to an accident and their families may be entitled to monetary compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC boat accident lawyer will assist victims of injuries to claim the amount of damages they deserve. A claim will include an obligation to pay for medical expenses as well as other financial damages.

Damages

While many people associate bodies of water with the Wild West in the United States, there are laws governing the boats on lakes and rivers as well as oceans. Boat accidents can be governed by multiple federal and state laws that are weighed to determine if negligence was the cause. If a boat driver is drunk, they could be liable for negligence. There are federal laws that deal with the issue of pollution and deaths at sea. There are also maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with a similar compensation pathway to other industries.

If a loved-one was killed in a tragic boat accident attorney accident, the family can sue to recover damages, including loss of companionship and funeral expenses. They can also sue for pain and suffering. Families can collect money to cover medical costs from the past and any future treatment.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you to determine if you or your loved one was injured in an accident on the water. A personal injury lawyer can examine your insurance policy as well as the policies regarding liability for boats of the responsible party to determine what compensation you might be able to receive as part of an agreement or jury verdict. A knowledgeable lawyer can assess whether there are any other parties that may be liable for the accident such as the manufacturer of the boat or part.

Liability

In general, injured boaters seek damages to recover medical expenses (past and boat accident lawyer future) and lost income due to absence from work emotional trauma, and suffering and pain. Serious injuries include back and neck injuries, brain traumas, broken bones and internal organ damage.

Accidents involving boats can involve many parties that could be held liable for the crash. This includes the operator of the boat, passengers aboard at the time of the incident and other watercrafts or boats involved, boat manufacturers, their parts, engines, and government agencies that place buoys to alert people of dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer will know the rules and regulations of both state law and federal maritime laws to determine who could be liable in a collision.

Under the Jones Act a worker on a vessel who is injured on the sea has similar rights as workers compensation beneficiaries. In the same way, sailors injured in international waters or in outer continental shelf waters have the right to claim compensation under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. The state workers' compensation laws also apply to injured maritime workers as well as the families of sailors who have passed away.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence collected during the early stages of the legal process can help determine the strength and viability of your case. For example, taking photographs of the scene of the accident can be helpful for determining the extent of liability and the circumstances of the boating accident. It is also crucial to get information from eyewitnesses, as they can be a valuable source of evidence that can support your claims.

Medical records are vital for finding out the extent of your injuries as well as the damages that resulted. The records should include thorough account of hospital and doctor visits surgery, rehabilitation as well as the expenses associated with them. You should document any changes to your income and job capacity, as well as any other non-financial loss.

Boat accidents are usually linked to spinal cord injuries. These injuries may be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation, or blunt force trauma when the head strikes the propeller of the boat. The majority of the time, these injuries are life-changing.

Other types of marine injuries include mechanical failures that can result from electrical or engine failure in the steering system, as well as gear shift problems. In these instances our NYC boating accident lawyers will investigate to determine if a manufacturer should be held responsible for injuries suffered by accident victims.

Making a Claim

It is important to seek medical attention right away following an incident on the boat. However, it is recommended to consult a lawyer prior to submitting an admission to the insurance adjuster or to any other party. An attorney can help protect your rights and ensure that you receive adequate compensation for the damages.

The legal procedure for seeking compensation for a boating accident involves filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the party or parties that are accountable. This typically involves the presentation of evidence to support a claim for economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are those incurred as a result of medical treatment as well as other expenses associated with the accident, like the loss of income resulting from missing work. Non-economic damages can include pain, suffering, and other types of intangible loss that is difficult to quantify.

In certain cases, a boat manufacturer or a part of the boat may be held liable for an accident if their product was designed or manufactured in a manner that was not safe. A skilled New York boating injury lawyer can investigate whether product responsibility is involved and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In some instances the boat's operator might not be held liable for a collision. The owners of boats can also be held accountable, in particular when they are responsible for hiring and training the person who operates their vessel or when a person not qualified to operate a craft is allowed on their property.