Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an exciting and enjoyable activity for the whole family, however, it can also be dangerous. If a negligent act leads to an accident, victims and their families could be entitled to financial compensation for the injuries and losses.

A NYC lawyer for boat accidents can assist injured victims in obtaining the maximum amount of compensation they are entitled to. A claim may include past medical expenses, along with other economic damages.

Damages

While many people think of waters like the Wild West, there are laws that govern the boats that are moored on lakes, rivers and oceans throughout the United States. Boat accidents may be governed by a variety of federal and state laws that are taken into consideration to determine if negligence was the cause. For instance, if the boat operator was drunk, this could lead to civil lawsuits for negligence. There are federal laws that address pollution and deaths on the sea. There are also maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with similar compensation to other industries.

If a loved one has been killed in a fatal boat crash, the family could sue for boat accident damages including loss of companionship and funeral costs. They can also sue for suffering and pain. Families can collect money to cover medical bills from the past as well as 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 boat accident attorney. An attorney for personal injuries can examine your insurance coverage and the responsible party's boat liability policies to determine what type of damages you could be entitled to in a settlement or verdict. A lawyer with experience can also assess if there are other parties that could be liable, such as the manufacturer or a component of the boat that was faulty.

Liability

In general, boaters who are injured seek compensation to cover medical expenses (past and future), lost income from absence from work emotional trauma, and suffering and pain. The most serious injuries are neck and back injuries as well as brain traumas, fractured bones and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve many parties that could be held accountable for the collision. 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 warn people of dangers. A personal injury lawyer is aware of the rules and regulations of state law as well as federal maritime laws to determine who might be liable in a collision.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a boat who suffers an injury at sea has rights to a compensation equal to that of workers' compensation beneficiaries. Similar, sailors injured in international waters or the outer continental shelf waters are able to claim compensation under the Jones Act as well as other maritime regulations of the federal government. Workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers who are injured as well as the families of sailors who have died.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence gathered during the early stages of the legal process will help determine the strength and validity of your case. For example, taking photographs of the scene of the accident can be useful in determining the extent of the extent of liability and the circumstances of the boating accident. Eyewitnesses can also give important information to help you prove your claim.

Medical records are essential to in determining the severity of your injuries, as well as the damages that resulted. The records should contain thorough details of doctor and hospital visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, and the cost associated with these. Additionally, you should keep track of any changes in your employment and income capacity and other non-financial losses.

The spinal and brain injuries are common in boat accident attorney accidents. These injuries may be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma that occurs when the head strikes the propeller of the boat. Often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other types of marine injuries are caused by mechanical failures, such as electrical or engine malfunctions such as steering issues, engine failure, and gear shift issues. Our NYC boating accident lawyers will analyze these cases to determine whether the manufacturer can be accountable for the injuries suffered by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

You should seek medical attention immediately following a boating accident. However, you should consult with a lawyer before submitting a statement to the insurance adjuster or any other person. Your lawyer can protect your rights and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve for damages.

The legal process to seek compensation in the event of a boating accident is to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the party or parties that are liable. This usually involves providing evidence to back a claim for economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are the cost of medical treatment and other expenses related to the accident, such as lost income from missed work. Non-economic damages can include pain, suffering, and other forms of loss that may be difficult to quantify.

In certain cases the maker of a vessel or one of its components may be held accountable for an accident if their product was defectively designed or manufactured. A New York boating accident lawyer will investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In some instances there are instances where it is not only the operator of a vessel who is liable for the event of a crash. Owners of vessels can be held accountable, particularly when the owner is responsible for hiring and training the person operating their vessel, or if a person unfit to operate a vessel is allowed to use their property.