Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an exciting and enjoyable recreational activity however, it can be a danger. If negligence causes an accident the victim and their families may be entitled to compensation for the loss and injuries.

A NYC lawyer for boat accident lawyers accidents can help injured victims get the amount they deserved. The claim may cover past medical expenses, along with other economic damages.

Damages

Although many people imagine 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 may be governed by a variety of federal and state laws that are weighed in determining if negligence took place. For example, if a boat operator was drunk, it could make them vulnerable to civil litigation for negligence. There are also federal laws that deal with death and pollution at sea. Additionally, there are special maritime regulations like the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families access to compensation that is comparable to workers compensated in other industries.

If a loved one has been killed in a boating accident, family members can sue on their behalf for damages, including funeral expenses, lost companionship and pain and suffering. Families can also recover money for past medical bills and future medical expenses.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you to determine whether you or a loved one was injured during a boating accident. An attorney for personal injuries can examine your insurance coverage and the responsible party's boat accident claim liability policy to determine what compensation you may be entitled to receive in a settlement or verdict. A knowledgeable lawyer can assess whether there are any additional parties who may be accountable for the accident such as the manufacturer of a defective boat or boat part.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters pursue damages to cover medical expenses (past and anticipated) and lost income due to the time they miss from work in pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damages to their boats. The most serious injuries are neck and back injuries, brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis or internal organ damage.

Accidents involving boats can involve many parties who could be held liable for the crash. These include the boat's operator, passengers who were aboard at the time of accident as well as other watercraft or boats involved, the manufacturers of boats and their components, engines and Boat Accident Litigation government agencies that set up buoys to warn the public of dangerous conditions. A personal injury attorney is familiar with federal and state maritime laws to determine who is responsible for an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a boat who suffers an injury at sea has rights to compensation that are similar to those of workers' compensation beneficiaries. Additionally, sailors injured on international waters or in outer continental shelf waters are entitled to submit a claim under Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. The families of injured maritime workers and the families of sailors who have died have rights under state workers insurance laws.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence collected in the early stages of the legal process will help determine the strength and viability of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident will help determine the liability and establish the circumstances of the boating accident. It's also important to obtain details from eyewitnesses as they can be a valuable source of evidence that supports your claims.

Medical records are crucial for understanding the severity of your injuries as well as the damages that resulted. These records should include detailed reports of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments, and the cost associated with these. You will also need to record any changes to your employment and income capacity and other losses that are not financial in nature.

Spinal cord and brain injuries are a common occurrence in boat accident claim accidents. These types of injuries could result from oxygen deprivation, carbon monoxide poisoning or blunt force trauma that results from hitting the head against areas like the propeller, or on the side of the boat accident attorney. In most cases, these injuries can be life-changing.

Other kinds of marine injuries include mechanical issues, for example electrical or engine failure in steering, abrasions, and problems with gear shifts. In these instances, our NYC boating accident lawyers will investigate to determine if a manufacturer can be held responsible for injuries suffered by accident victims.

Filing a Claim

While it is vital to seek medical attention for injuries immediately after a boating accident however, you shouldn't make an account to an insurance adjuster or other party without consulting with a lawyer. Your lawyer can help protect your rights, and ensure that you are compensated in a fair manner for damages.

In order to seek compensation following a boating accident you must file an insurance claim, or an action against the party(ies) responsible. It is commonplace to present evidence in support of the claim, which includes both non-economic and economic damages. Economic damages may include medical costs and other expenses caused by the accident, which includes loss of income due to missing work. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering and other intangible losses that are more difficult to quantify.

In some instances 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 made or designed. A New York boating accident lawyer will investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In certain instances the boat accident attorney's operator might not be held liable for the outcome of a collision. The owners of boats can also be held accountable, in particular when the owner is responsible for the hiring and training of the person who operates their vessel, or when a person not qualified to operate a boat is allowed on their property.