Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an enjoyable and thrilling activity for the whole family, but it is also risky. If a negligent act causes to an accident, victims and their families may be entitled to financial compensation for injuries and losses.

A NYC boat accident attorney can assist injured victims to receive the compensation they deserve. The claim may cover past medical expenses and other economic damages.

Damages

Although many people think of bodies of water with the Wild West in the United States, there are laws that govern the boats on rivers and lakes as well as oceans. Boat accidents can be governed by multiple federal and state laws that are considered to determine if negligence was the cause. If a boat driver is drunk, boat accident attorney they may be sued for negligence. Federal laws also deal with death and pollution at sea. In addition, there are specific maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families access for compensation similar to workers who receive compensation in other industries.

If a loved one was killed in a boating accident, family members can sue for damages such as funeral expenses, lost companionship, and pain and suffering. Families can collect money to cover medical costs from the past as well as future treatment.

If a boat accident caused injuries to you or your loved ones and loved ones, a New York City boat accident attorney can help you determine what type of damages you might be entitled to claim. A personal injury lawyer will review your insurance coverage as well as the responsible party's policies on boat accident law firm liability to determine the type of damages you could be entitled to in a settlement or a verdict. A knowledgeable lawyer can assess whether there are any additional parties who could be responsible for the accident, such as the manufacturer of the defective boat or part.

Liability

In general, boaters who are injured seek compensation to cover medical costs (past and future) as well as lost income resulting from the absence of work, emotional trauma and suffering and pain. Injuries that are serious include neck and back injuries and brain traumas, as well as broken bones, and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve many parties that could be held liable for the crash. These include the operator of the boat, any passengers on board at the time of the accident as well as the other watercraft or boats involved, the makers of boats, their parts, engines and government agencies who place buoys to alert people of dangers. A personal injury lawyer will be aware of the ins and outs of state law as well as federal maritime laws to determine who may be responsible in a collision.

Under the Jones Act a worker on a vessel who is injured on the sea has similar rights to those of workers compensation beneficiaries. Similar, sailors injured in international waters, or outer continental shelf waters have the right to submit claims under the Jones Act as well as other federal maritime regulations. Families of injured maritime workers as well as family members of sailors who have passed away have claims under state workers' compensation laws.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence collected in the early stages of the legal process will aid in determining the strength and validity of your case. For example, taking photographs of the scene of the accident could be useful in determining the degree of who is responsible and how the boating collision occurred. It is also important to obtain information from eyewitnesses since they can provide valuable testimony that can support your assertions.

Medical records are essential for understanding the severity of your injuries and the damage they cause. These records should include detailed details of hospital and doctor visitations and surgeries, rehabilitation treatments, and costs associated with them. You will need to document any changes to your income and employment capacity, as well as any other non-financial loss.

The spinal and brain injuries are common in boating accidents. These types of injuries could result from oxygen deficiency carbon monoxide poisoning, blunt force trauma caused by hitting the head on places like the propeller, or on the side of the boat. The majority of the time, these injuries are life-changing.

Other kinds of marine injuries include mechanical problems, such as electrical or engine problems or steering issues, as well as gear shift issues. In these cases our NYC boating accident lawyers will determine if the manufacturer should be held accountable for injuries sustained by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

While it is important to seek medical attention for injuries as soon as you can following a boating accident and you should not make a statement to an insurance adjuster, or another party without first consulting a lawyer. Your lawyer will protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for damages.

In order to seek compensation following a boating accident and you need to make an insurance claim or an action against the party(ies) responsible. This usually involves the presentation of evidence to justify a claim of economic as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses and other expenses incurred as a result of the accident, such as lost earnings due to missed work. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering and other intangible losses that may be harder to quantify.

In certain instances, a boat manufacturer or an element of the boat accident lawyer could be held accountable for an accident when their product was constructed or designed in a way that was defective. 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 it's not only the boat's operator that could be held accountable for the event of a crash. The owner of the vessel could be held accountable also, particularly when they are accountable for hiring or training the person who is operating their boat or permit a person who is unfit to operate the boat on their property.