Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is an enjoyable and thrilling recreational activity that is also risky. If a negligent action leads to an accident, victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for injuries and losses.

A NYC lawyer for boat accidents can help injured victims claim the maximum amount of compensation they deserve. A claim may include past medical expenses as well as other economic damages.

Damages

Many people think of bodies of water as if they were the Wild West, there are laws that govern boats that are moored on lakes, rivers and oceans throughout the United States. Boat accidents can be governed by many federal and state laws that are considered when determining negligence. For example, if a boat operator was drunk, this could open them up to civil litigation for negligence. There are also federal laws that address pollution and deaths on the sea. Additionally, there are special maritime regulations like the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families a pathway to compensation that is similar to workers' compensation in other industries.

If a loved one was killed in a boat accident, the family can sue for damages, including the loss of companionship, funeral costs as well as pain and suffering. Families may also seek compensation for past medical bills as well as future treatment costs.

If a boating accident resulted in injuries to you or your loved ones, a New York City boat accident lawsuits accident lawyer can help you determine the kind of damages you might be entitled to claim. An attorney for personal injury can look over your insurance policy and the policies on Boat Accident Law Firms liability of the responsible party to determine what compensation you are eligible to receive as part of a settlement or jury verdict. A knowledgeable lawyer can determine if there are any other parties who could be responsible for the accident, including the manufacturer of the defective boat or component.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters pursue damages to cover medical expenses (past and anticipated) and lost earnings due to time missed from work in pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damages to their boats. Serious injuries commonly involve back and neck injury, brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis or internal organ damage.

In boating accidents, there are a variety of people who could bear legal liability for a collision, including the boat accident lawyers's operator, any other passengers aboard at the time of the accident as well as other watercraft and boats involved in the collision, manufacturers of the boats as well as their components or engines as well as government agencies responsible for placing buoys that warn of the dangers of conditions. A personal injury attorney will be familiar with federal and state maritime laws to determine who is liable for an accident.

Under the Jones Act a worker on an vessel that is injured at sea has the same rights as workers compensation beneficiaries. Also, sailors who are injured on international waters or in outer continental shelf waters are entitled to claim compensation under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. Families and maritime workers who have been injured as well as the relatives of sailors who died have claims under state worker insurance laws.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence collected during the initial stages of the legal process could aid in determining the strength of your case. Photographing the accident scene can help determine the extent of liability and determine what caused the boating collision. Eyewitnesses also can provide crucial information that can support your claim.

Medical records are crucial for in determining the severity of your injuries as well as the damage that resulted from it. These records should include precise accounts of doctor and hospital visits surgery, rehabilitation as well as the expenses associated with them. Additionally, you should record any changes to your income or employment and other losses that are not financial in nature.

Brain and spinal cord injuries are common in boat accidents. These injuries can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation, or blunt force trauma, when the head strikes the propeller of the boat. These injuries can cause life-altering impact.

Other kinds of marine injuries involve mechanical failures, such as electrical or engine malfunctions, steering problems, and gear shift issues. Our NYC boating accident attorneys will analyze these cases to determine if the manufacturer should be held accountable for the injuries sustained by accident victims.

Filing a Claim

While it is vital to seek medical attention for injuries as soon as you can following a boating incident however, boat accident law firms you shouldn't make a statement to an insurance adjuster or another party without consulting with a lawyer. A lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure that you receive the compensation you are entitled to for the damages you have suffered.

In order to seek compensation following a boating collision you must file an insurance claim or an action against the party(ies) responsible. This typically involves presenting evidence to justify a claim of economic as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages may include medical costs and other expenses that result from the accident, as well as lost earnings due to missed work. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, and any other intangible losses that are difficult to quantify.

In certain instances, a boat manufacturer or parts of the vessel can be held responsible for causing an accident if their product was manufactured or designed in a way that was defective. A New York boating accident lawyer may investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In some cases the boat owner may not be held liable for a collision. The owners of boats can also be held accountable, particularly in the event that the owner is 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.