How a Boat Accident Lawyer Can Help You File a Claim

If you've been injured on water or in the marina, a New York boat accident lawyer will help you file a claim. They'll offer advice, assess the strength of your case and deal with insurance companies.

Most boat accident lawsuits involve negligence. If your lawyer can show that there was a breach of duty, causation or damages, you could be awarded compensation.

Damages

Boating accidents can result in serious injuries, like any other type of accident. The types of injuries that could result include drowning or oxygen deprivation-related injuries, fractured bones and brain trauma. A competent lawyer can help you obtain the compensation you deserve for these damages.

Like car accidents, the case of a boating accident hinges on proving the negligence of the responsible party. An attorney can conduct an extensive investigation and take photos of the scene and your injuries to prove that you are liable. They can also help locate medical records to support your treatment and other documentation to support your claim. They can also assist you comprehend the law of comparative liability if your situation is affected.

Victims may be entitled to both economic and noneconomic damages for their boating injuries. Economic damages are more easily quantifiable such as past and future medical expenses for your injury. They can also include losses in income caused by your injuries or changes in your ability to work in the future. Noneconomic damages are more subjective and could include the suffering and inconvenience or loss of enjoyment in life and emotional anxiety. A lawyer can help calculate the value of your losses, and make a lawsuit or an insurance claim against the people who are responsible for your injuries. They also handle cases that involve government agencies, such as the Coast Guard and police.

Insurance

The financial burden can quickly grow when someone is injured in a boating accident. Medical bills can easily run into thousands of dollars, and if surgery is required, the costs can be even higher.

A personal injury lawyer can assist injured victims receive the compensation they need. They can look into the cause of a boating incident and file the necessary paperwork and bargain with insurance companies in order to obtain the maximum compensation.

A boat accident attorney can also determine who is at fault and what insurance coverage each party has. Not all boat owners and operators carry liability insurance to cover injuries. Check your own boating and homeowners insurance policies if renting or borrow a boat to determine what coverage you are entitled to.

It is important to report any boating accidents to the authorities. A police report is a valid document that can be used to prove negligence as well as other elements in a claim for damages. It is also an excellent idea to speak with witnesses in order to obtain their testimony. Additionally, it is beneficial to collect the names, contact numbers and the insurance policy numbers of everyone who were involved in the incident and especially the owners of the boats.

Liability

If you're a victim of a boat accident you may be entitled to reimbursement for future and past medical expenses. This includes hospital bills, emergency room services, doctor's appointments therapy sessions, and the cost of medications. Your NYC lawyer for boat accidents will help you prove the costs and will ensure that the full amount of your losses is reflected in your compensation award.

Most injuries incurred in boat accidents are due to either negligent or boat accident lawsuits reckless behavior on the part of the owner of the boat or the operator. Some injuries are exacerbated because of the absence of necessary safety equipment such as life jackets, fire extinguishers, or navigational lights. A claim can be filed against the manufacturer of a defective boat or items on board such as a ski.

If you were injured on a commercial vessel then you could be able to make an Jones Act claim. A New York boat accident attorney will review your case and provide more information regarding this particular law. Your lawyer will also lead in negotiating with the responsible parties along with their lawyers and insurance companies on your behalf. If a fair settlement is not reached your attorney will draft a trial on your behalf to obtain justice.

Time Limits

There are several laws that govern boating as well as other watercrafts. These laws cover driving, passing and giving the right of way among others. They also mandate that operators remain in a safe place, refrain from overloading or causing damage to their boats and stop people from engaging in dangerous behavior like weaving in traffic or jumping in wake. A negligent act by the operator or any other party involved in a boating accident could result in serious injuries and even wrongful death.

A qualified lawyer for boat accidents can help you navigate the legal process, assess the quality of your case and safeguard your rights. They can also assist you to pursue monetary compensation for your losses through the submission of medical records and other evidence to back your claim.

A boat-related accident case could take longer to resolve because it involves issues that are determined in accordance with maritime law as well as state personal injury laws. The reason for this is that lawyers must collect eyewitness testimony, police reports and other documentation before negotiations can begin. Depending on the nature of your case, pre-litigation negotiations can last anywhere between a few weeks and six months. If you are an employee of a commercial fishing vessel cruise or sightseeing vessel, or boat accident lawsuits any other type of worker that is on a boat as part of his or her job, you may be entitled to workers compensation under maritime law. A NY lawyer for boat accidents may also help you with these claims.