boat accident Law firms Accident Litigation

Boating is a fun and exciting activity to enjoy, but it can be dangerous. If negligence leads to an accident the victim and their families may be entitled to compensation for the loss and injuries.

A NYC boat accident attorney can help injured victims get the full amount they deserve. The claim may cover past medical expenses as well as other economic damages.

Damages

While many people think of waters like the Wild West, there are laws that govern vessels on lakes, rivers and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can involve a number of laws, both state and federal, that are considered when determining the degree of negligence. For example, if a boat operator was drunk, this could lead to civil litigation for negligence. Federal laws also deal with pollution and deaths at the sea. Additionally, there are special maritime regulations such as the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families a pathway for compensation similar to workers compensated in other industries.

If a loved one has been killed in a boat accident attorneys accident, the family can sue them on behalf of damages that include loss of companionship, funeral expenses and pain and suffering. Families can also seek reimbursement for past medical bills as well as future medical expenses.

If a boating accident resulted in injuries to you or your loved ones If you or your loved ones were injured, a New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine the kind of damages you may be entitled to claim. A personal injury lawyer can look over your insurance policy and the responsible party's boat liability policy to determine the amount of compensation you may be entitled to in a settlement or a verdict. An experienced lawyer will also be able to determine if there are any other parties that could be responsible, for instance the manufacturer or the part of the boat that was defective.

Liability

Typically, injured boaters seek damages to cover medical expenses (past and expected), lost income because of time lost from work or pain and suffering emotional trauma, and damages to their boats. Most serious injuries involve back and neck injury or brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis, and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents usually involve multiple parties that could potentially bear legal responsibility for a crash, including the boat's operator, any other passengers aboard at the time of the incident, other boats and watercraft involved in the collision, the makers of the boats as well as their engines or parts as well as government agencies responsible for putting buoys to warn of dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer will know the specifics of both state law and federal maritime laws to determine who might be liable for a crash.

Under the Jones Act a worker on a vessel who is injured at sea has similar rights to those of workers compensation beneficiaries. Similar to sailors injured in international waters or outer continental shelf water are entitled to submit claims under the Jones Act as well as other maritime regulations of the federal government. The state workers' compensation laws also apply to injured maritime workers and the families of sailors who have died.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence collected in the beginning stages of the legal process can aid in determining the strength of your case. Photographing the accident scene will help determine the liability and establish how the boating incident occurred. It is also important to obtain information from eyewitnesses since they can offer valuable evidence which can back up your assertions.

Medical records are essential to finding out the extent of your injuries as well as the damages that resulted. They should contain detailed account of hospital and doctor visitations surgery, rehabilitation, and costs associated with them. You will need to document any changes to your income and job capacity, as well for any other financial loss.

Brain and spinal cord injuries are a common occurrence in boat accidents. These types of injuries could be caused by oxygen deficiency, carbon monoxide poisoning or blunt force trauma caused by hitting the head on places like the propeller or side of the boat. In most cases, these injuries can be life-changing.

Other types of marine injuries involve mechanical issues, like electrical or engine failure or steering issues, as well as problems with gear shifts. In these cases our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will investigate to determine if a company should be held responsible for injuries suffered by victims of accidents.

How to File a Claim

While it is important to seek medical attention immediately for injuries following a boat accident, you should not offer a statement to an insurance adjuster, or another party without first consulting with a lawyer. Your lawyer can help protect your rights, and ensure that you receive the proper compensation for the damages.

The legal procedure to seek compensation after a boat accident is to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the person or parties who are liable. This usually includes presenting evidence to back a claim for economic and non-economic damages. 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, suffering, as well as other losses that are more difficult to quantify.

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

In certain instances the boat's operator boat accident law firms might not be held liable for an accident. Owners of vessels can also be held accountable, especially if the owner is responsible for the hiring and training of the person who operates their vessel, or when a person who is not fit to operate a boat is allowed to use their property.