Boat Accident Litigation

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

A NYC boat accident lawyer can assist injured victims in obtaining the full amount of damages they deserve. A claim includes an obligation to pay for medical expenses and other economic damages.

Damages

While many people think of bodies of water as if they were the Wild West, there are laws that govern the vessels that travel on rivers, lakes and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents may be a result of many federal and state laws that are considered when determining the degree of negligence. If a boat driver is drunk, they may be liable for negligence. There are federal laws that deal with the issue of pollution and deaths at sea. Additionally, there are special maritime laws, like the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families a pathway to compensation that is comparable to workers who receive compensation in other industries.

If a loved one has been killed in a boat accident, family members can sue on their behalf for damages such as loss of companionship, funeral expenses as well as pain and loss. Families can collect money to cover medical bills from the past and any future treatment.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you in determining whether you or your loved one was injured during a boating accident. An attorney for personal injury can examine your insurance policy as well as the policies on boat liability of the responsible party to determine the amount of compensation you could be entitled to receive as part of a settlement or jury verdict. An experienced lawyer can also determine if there are other parties who may be responsible, for instance the manufacturer, or even a part of the boat that was defective.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters seek damages to cover medical expenses (past and anticipated) and lost income due to time missed from work in pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damage to their boats. Injuries that are serious include neck and back injuries, brain traumas, broken bones, lawyers and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents usually involve multiple parties that could potentially bear legal responsibility for a accident, including the vessel's operator, passengers on board at the time of the accident as well as other watercraft and boats involved in the collision, the manufacturers of the boats and their components or engines, and even authorities responsible for putting buoys to warn of hazardous conditions. A personal injury lawyer will be familiar with federal and state maritime laws in order to determine who is accountable in an accident.

Under the Jones Act a worker on a vessel injured at sea enjoys the same rights as workers compensation beneficiaries. Similar to sailors who suffer injuries in international waters or the outer continental shelf waters have the right to claim compensation under the Jones Act as well as other maritime regulations of the federal government. Injured maritime workers and families of sailors who have died have rights under state workers law on compensation.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence collected during the early stages of the legal process will help determine the strength and legitimacy of your case. For instance, taking pictures of the scene of the accident can help determine the responsibility as well as establishing what caused the boating crash. Eyewitnesses also can provide crucial information that can support your claim.

Medical records are vital for in determining the severity of your injuries, and the damages that resulted. These records should include detailed accounts of doctor and hospital visitations, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments and the associated costs them. You should also keep track of any changes in your employment and income capacity as well as other losses that are not financial in nature.

Boat accidents are frequently associated with brain and spinal cord injuries. These injuries can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma, when the head hits the propeller of the boat accident law firm. These injuries can have a life-changing effect.

Other types of maritime injuries include mechanical failures like engine or electrical failure in the steering system, as well as gear shift issues. Our NYC lawyers for boating accidents will analyze these cases to determine if the manufacturer should be accountable for the injuries suffered by accident victims.

Making a Claim

You should seek medical attention as soon as you notice an accident with a boat. However, you should consult with a lawyer prior to giving an account to the insurance adjuster or any other person. Your lawyer can protect your rights and ensure that you get the money you are entitled to for the damages you have suffered.

To seek compensation following a boating accident you must submit an insurance claim or an action against the party(ies) responsible. This typically involves the presentation of evidence to back a claim for economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses and other expenses that are incurred due to the accident, including loss of income due to missing work. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering, and other intangible loss that is difficult to quantify.

In certain instances, a boat manufacturer, or a component of the vessel can be held responsible for causing an accident if their product was designed or manufactured in a manner that was not safe. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer can determine whether a product liability is at stake and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In some instances the boat's owner might not be held liable for the outcome of a collision. Boat owners can also be held accountable, especially in the event that the owner is responsible for the hiring and training of the person operating their vessel or in the event that a person who isn't fit to operate a boat is allowed to use their property.