Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be a thrilling and enjoyable activity for the whole family, but it is also dangerous. If negligence leads to an accident, the victims and their families could be entitled to compensation for the loss and injuries.

A NYC boat accident lawyer will assist victims of injuries to claim the amount of damages they deserve. The claim may cover past medical expenses and other economic damages.

Damages

While many people imagine waters like the Wild West, there are laws that govern boats that are moored on lakes, rivers and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can involve various federal and state laws which are considered when determining negligence. For instance, if the boat operator was drunk, it could make them vulnerable to civil litigation for negligence. Federal laws also deal with pollution and deaths at sea. There are maritime regulations, like the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with a similar compensation options to other industries.

If a loved one died in a boating accident that killed them family members can sue for damages, including loss of companionship and funeral costs. They may also sue for pain and suffering. Families can even recover money for medical bills from the past and future treatment costs.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you to determine whether you or your loved one was injured in a boating accident. A personal injury lawyer can examine your insurance policy as well as the boat liability policies of the responsible party to determine the compensation you are eligible to receive as part of the settlement or verdict of a jury. An experienced lawyer can also determine if are any other parties that could be liable, like the manufacturer or the part of the boat that was faulty.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters pursue damages to recover medical expenses (past and expected), lost income due to absences from work in pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damages to their boats. Serious injuries include back and neck injuries and brain traumas, as well as broken bones and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve a variety of parties that could be held responsible for the crash. This includes the boat accident law firm's operator, passengers who were aboard at the time of the collision as well as other watercraft or boats involved, the makers of boats and their parts, motors and government agencies who place buoys to warn people about dangerous conditions. An attorney for personal injury is familiar with both state and federal maritime laws to determine who is responsible in an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a vessel who suffers an injury at sea is entitled to a compensation equal to that of workers' compensation recipients. Similar to this, sailors who are injured in international waters, or the outer continental shelf waters can file claims under the Jones Act as well as other maritime regulations of the federal government. Families and maritime workers who have been injured as well as the relatives of sailors who died have claims under state worker compensation laws.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence gathered during the early stages of the legal process will aid in determining the strength and viability of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident can help establish liability and help determine the circumstances of the boating accident. Eyewitnesses can also provide valuable evidence to help you prove your claim.

Medical records are vital for finding out the extent of your injuries, and the damages that resulted. These records should include thorough reports of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments, and the expenses associated with these. It is also necessary to record any changes to your income or boat accident employment and other losses that are not financial in nature.

Injuries to the spinal cord and brain are common in boat collisions. These injuries may be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation, or blunt force trauma that occurs when your head strikes the propeller of the boat. These injuries can cause life-changing impact.

Other types of maritime injuries include mechanical failures for example, electrical or engine problems in the steering system, as well as gear shift issues. In these instances, our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will investigate to determine if a company should be held responsible for injuries sustained by victims of accidents.

How to File a Claim

While it is essential to seek medical attention for injuries as soon as you can following a boating accident however, you shouldn't make a statement to an insurance adjuster or another party without consulting a lawyer. Your lawyer will protect your rights and ensure you get the compensation you are entitled to for the damages you have suffered.

The legal procedure for seeking compensation following a boat accident involves filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the person or parties who are liable. It is commonplace to present evidence to support a claim for both economic and noneconomic damage. Economic damages include the costs of medical treatment as well as other costs associated with the accident, for example lost earnings from work missed. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering, as well as other losses that are difficult to quantify.

In some cases, the manufacturer of a vessel or one of its parts could be held accountable for an accident in the event that their product was defectively constructed or designed. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer can investigate whether product liability is involved and pursue compensation from the responsible parties.

In some cases the boat owner may not be held responsible for the outcome of a collision. The owner of a vessel may be held responsible too, particularly when they are accountable for hiring or training the person operating their craft or if they permit a person who is unfit to operate an unfit boat to use their property.