Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an exciting and enjoyable recreational activity however, it can be a danger. If a negligent decision leads to an accident, the victim and their families could be entitled to monetary compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC boat accident lawyer can help injured victims claim the full amount of damages they deserve. The claim may cover past medical expenses, along with other economic damages.

Damages

While many people think of bodies of water like the Wild West, there are laws that govern vessels that travel on rivers, lakes and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can be governed by multiple federal and state laws that are considered in determining if negligence occurred. For instance, if the boat accident lawyers operator was drunk, this could make them vulnerable to civil lawsuits based on negligence. Federal laws also address pollution and deaths at sea. Furthermore, there are specific maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families access for compensation similar to workers compensated in other industries.

If a loved one was killed in a boating accident, family members can bring a lawsuit on their behalf to recover damages, Boat accident law firms including loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and pain and suffering. Families can also seek reimbursement for past medical bills as well as future medical expenses.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you to determine whether you or a loved one was injured in a boating accident. A personal injury lawyer can look over your insurance policy and the boat accident law Firms liability policies of the responsible party to determine what compensation you may be eligible to receive as part of settlement or a jury verdict. An experienced lawyer can also determine if there are other parties who may be liable, like the manufacturer, or even a part of the boat that was faulty.

Liability

In general, injured boaters seek damages to recover medical expenses (past and future), lost income from time away from work, emotional trauma and pain and suffering. The most serious injuries are neck and back injuries, brain traumas, broken bones and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents may involve many individuals who could be liable for the crash. This includes the boat operator, passengers who were aboard at the time of the collision and other watercrafts or boats involved, manufacturers of boats and their components, engines and boat accident law firms government agencies who place buoys to alert 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 could be responsible in a collision.

Under the Jones Act a worker on the vessel that is injured on the sea has similar rights as workers compensation beneficiaries. Similar to sailors who are injured in international waters or outer continental shelf waters are entitled to claim compensation under the Jones Act as well as other federal maritime regulations. Injured maritime workers and family members of sailors who have passed away have claims under state worker compensation laws.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence you gather in the beginning stages of the legal process can help you determine the strength of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident can help determine the extent of liability and determine the circumstances of the boating accident. Eyewitnesses can also provide valuable evidence to support your claim.

Medical records are vital for in determining the severity of your injuries, and the damages that resulted. They should contain detailed accounts of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, and the expenses associated with these. It is also necessary to note any changes to your employment and income capacity and any other losses that are not financial in nature.

Spinal cord and brain injuries are common in boat collisions. These injuries may be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma if the head is struck by the propeller of the boat. Most often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other kinds of marine injuries are caused by mechanical failures, such as electrical or engine malfunctions or steering issues, as well as gear shift issues. In these cases, our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will determine if a company should be held responsible for injuries sustained by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

While it is vital to seek medical attention immediately following a boating incident and you should not make an account to an insurance adjuster or any other party without consulting with a lawyer. A lawyer can defend your rights and ensure you get the compensation you need for your losses.

In order to seek compensation for a boating incident and you need to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the party(ies) responsible. It is common to present evidence to support the claim, which includes both economic and noneconomic damage. Economic damages can include medical expenses and other expenses that result from the accident, which includes lost income due to missed work. Noneconomic damages include pain and suffering as well as other intangible losses that are more difficult to quantify.

In certain instances, a boat manufacturer or parts of the vessel can be held accountable for causing an accident if their product was created or manufactured in a way that was defective. A skilled New York boating injury lawyer can determine if a product's liability is at stake and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In some instances it's not just the boat's operator who may be held liable for a crash. Owners of vessels can also be held accountable, particularly in the event that the owner is responsible for hiring and training the person operating their vessel or in the event that a person who isn't fit to operate a boat accident law firm is allowed on their property.