Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be a thrilling and enjoyable recreational activity however, it can also be dangerous. If a negligent action leads to an accident, the victim and their families may be entitled to monetary compensation for the injuries and losses.

A NYC boat accident lawyer can assist injured victims in obtaining the full amount of damages they deserve. A claim can include past medical expenses, along with other economic damages.

Damages

Although many people imagine bodies of water similar to the Wild West, there are laws that govern the boats on rivers, lakes and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can trigger several federal and state laws which are considered when determining negligence. If a boater is drunk, they may be liable for negligence. Federal laws also deal with pollution and deaths at the sea. There are maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with similar compensation pathway to other industries.

If a loved one has been killed in a boat accident, the family members may sue for damages including loss of companionship, funeral expenses and pain and suffering. Families can collect money to cover medical costs from the past as well as future treatment.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine whether you or your loved one was injured in a boating accident. An attorney for personal injuries can look over your insurance policy and the responsible party's boat liability policy to determine the type of compensation you might be entitled to in a settlement or verdict. A knowledgeable lawyer can determine if there are any other individuals who are liable for the accident, including the manufacturer of the boat or component.

Liability

Typically, injured boaters seek damages to recover medical expenses (past and anticipated), lost income due to time missed from work or pain and suffering emotional trauma, and damage to their boats. Injuries that are serious typically involve back and neck injury and brain trauma, fractured bones, paralysis, and internal organ damage.

Accidents involving boats can involve many parties who could be held accountable for the accident. These include the operator of the boat, passengers who were aboard at the time of the collision as well as other watercraft or boats involved, the makers of boats, their parts, engines and government agencies that set up buoys to warn people of dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer will know the specifics of state law as well as federal maritime laws to determine who can be liable for a crash.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a vessel who is injured at sea is entitled to a compensation equal to that of workers' compensation recipients. Also, sailors who are injured in international waters or in outer continental shelf waters are entitled to make a claim under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. Injured maritime workers and family members of sailors who have passed away have claims under state worker law on compensation.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence gathered during the early stages of the legal process can aid in determining the strength and viability 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 what caused the boating crash. It is also crucial to get evidence from eyewitnesses, since they can provide evidence which can back up your assertions.

Medical records are crucial for understanding the severity of your injuries and the injuries that result from them. These records should include precise accounts of doctor and hospital visits, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments and the associated costs them. It is also necessary to record any changes to your income and employment along with other non-financial losses.

Boat accidents are often 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. In most cases, these injuries can be life-changing.

Other forms of marine injury result from mechanical issues for example, electrical or engine failure as well as steering system malfunctions and Boat Accident Lawyer gear shift issues. Our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will examine these cases to determine if the manufacturer should be held accountable for the injuries suffered by accident victims.

The process of filing 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 other party without first consulting a lawyer. A lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve for any damages.

The legal process to seek compensation for a boating accident is to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the party or parties that are responsible. It is common to present evidence in support of the claim, which includes both non-economic and economic damages. Economic damages can include medical expenses and other expenses caused by the accident, such as lost earnings due to missed work. Non-economic damages can include pain, suffering, and other types of intangible loss that can be difficult to quantify.

In some cases, the manufacturer of a boat or one of its parts could be held accountable for an accident when their product was not properly created or boat accident lawyer manufactured. A skilled New York boating injury lawyer can investigate whether product liability is involved and pursue compensation from the parties responsible.

In some instances it's not just the person who operates a boat who may be held liable for a crash. The owner of the vessel is liable too, particularly in the event that they are responsible for hiring or training the person who operates their boat or permit someone who is unfit to operate the vessel on their premises.