Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an enjoyable and thrilling activity for the whole family, but it can be dangerous. If a negligent act causes to an accident, the victim and their families could be entitled to monetary compensation for injuries and losses.

A NYC boat accident lawyer will assist victims of injuries to claim the maximum amount of compensation they are entitled to. A claim can be a demand for past medical expenses as well as other financial damages.

Damages

While many people think of bodies of water as if they were the Wild West, there are laws that govern vessels that travel on rivers, lakes, and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can involve several federal and state laws which are considered when determining the degree of negligence. For instance, if the boat operator Boat accident lawyer was drunk, this could lead to civil lawsuits for negligence. Federal laws also address 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 has been killed in a boat accident law firm accident, the family can sue for damages such as lost companionship, funeral expenses as well as pain and loss. Families can seek compensation to pay for medical expenses from the past as well as future treatment.

If a boat accident resulted in injuries to you or your loved ones and loved ones, a New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you in determining the type of damages you might be entitled to claim. An attorney for personal injuries can examine your insurance coverage and the responsible party's boat liability policy to determine what compensation you may be entitled to in a settlement or a verdict. An experienced lawyer will also be able to determine if there other parties that could be responsible, for instance the manufacturer, or even a part of the boat that was faulty.

Liability

In general, injured boaters seek damages to recover medical costs (past and future) and lost income due to the absence of work emotional trauma, and pain and suffering. The most serious injuries are neck and back injuries as well as brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis and organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve a variety of parties who could be held accountable for the collision. These include the operator of the boat, passengers on board at the time of the collision, other boats or watercraft involved, boat manufacturers as well as their parts, engines, and government agencies that put up buoys to warn people of dangers. A personal injury lawyer will know the ins and outs of both state law and federal maritime laws to determine who might be liable in a collision.

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

Gathering Evidence

Evidence gathered during the early stages of the legal process will help determine the strength and effectiveness of your case. For instance, taking pictures of the scene of the accident can be helpful for determining liability as well as establishing what caused the boating crash. Eyewitnesses also can provide crucial information that can back your claim.

Medical records are essential for in determining the severity of your injuries as well as the damages that resulted. The records should include thorough details of hospital and doctor visitations, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments as well as the expenses associated with them. You will need to document the changes in your income and employment capacity, as well with any other non-financial losses.

Boat accidents are usually associated with brain and spinal cord injuries. These injuries may be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma that occurs when the head is struck by the propeller of the boat. Most often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other types of maritime injuries result from mechanical issues like engine or electrical failure in the steering system, as well as gear shift problems. In these instances our NYC boating accident lawyers will determine if a company should be held accountable for the injuries suffered by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

It is crucial to seek medical attention for injuries immediately after a boating accident and you should not make an account to an insurance adjuster or any other party without consulting with a lawyer. Your lawyer will protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for damages.

To seek compensation following a boating collision and you need to file an insurance claim, or a lawsuit against the party(ies) responsible. It is standard to provide evidence to support claims for both economic and noneconomic damage. Economic damages can include medical expenses and other expenses that are incurred due to the accident, which includes the loss of income resulting from missing work. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering, boat accident lawyer and any other intangible losses that are difficult to quantify.

In certain cases the manufacturer of a vessel or one of its components could be held responsible for an accident in the event that their product was defectively created or manufactured. A New York boating accident lawyer will investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In certain instances, it is not just the operator of a vessel who is liable for the event of a crash. The owner of a vessel may be held responsible in addition, especially in the event that they are responsible for hiring or training the person who operates their vessel or allow a person who isn't fit to operate an unfit boat to use their property.