Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is an enjoyable and exciting recreational activity that could be dangerous. If a negligent act leads to an accident and their families may be entitled to monetary compensation for injuries and losses.

A NYC boat accident lawyer can help injured victims claim the full amount of damages they are entitled to. The claim may cover past medical expenses as well as other economic damages.

Damages

While many people associate bodies of water with the Wild West in the United States, there are laws governing the boats on lakes and rivers as well as oceans. boat accident attorney accidents may be governed by a variety of federal and state laws that are considered in determining if negligence occurred. If a boater is drunk, they could be liable for negligence. There are also federal laws that address the issue of pollution and deaths at sea. In addition, there are specific maritime laws, like 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 boat accident, the family members may bring a lawsuit on their behalf to recover damages, including the loss of companionship, funeral costs as well as pain and suffering. Families can collect money to cover medical bills from the past and any future treatment.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you to determine whether you or a loved one was injured in an accident on the water. A personal injury lawyer can review your insurance coverage and the responsible party's boat liability policies to determine what compensation you might be entitled to in a settlement or a verdict. Additionally, a knowledgeable lawyer can determine if there are any other parties who may be accountable for the accident, such as the manufacturer of a defective boat or boat component.

Liability

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

In boating accidents, there are a variety of parties who could have legal liability for a crash, including the boat's operator, any passengers aboard at the time of the accident along with other watercraft and vessels involved in the collision, Boat Accident Lawyer manufacturers of the boats and their engines or parts and even authorities responsible for putting buoys to warn of hazardous conditions. A personal injury lawyer is familiar with federal and state maritime laws to determine who is liable in an accident.

Under the Jones Act a worker on an vessel that is injured at sea enjoys the same rights as workers compensation beneficiaries. Similar to sailors who are injured in international waters or outer continental shelf waters can file claims under the Jones Act as well as other federal maritime regulations. State workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers injured and the families of sailors who died.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence gathered in the initial stages of the legal process can help determine the strength and validity of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident can help establish liability and determine how the boating incident occurred. Eyewitnesses may also provide valuable evidence to help you prove your claim.

Medical records are essential to establishing the extent of your injuries and injuries that result from them. The records should contain thorough reports of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, and the cost associated with these. It is also necessary to note any changes to your income and employment and boat accident lawyer any other losses that are not financial in nature.

Brain and spinal cord injuries are common in boating accidents. These injuries can be caused by oxygen deprivation carbon monoxide poisoning or blunt force trauma from hitting the head on areas such as the propeller or the side of the boat. Often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other types of maritime injuries result from mechanical issues for example, electrical or engine problems or steering system malfunctions and gear shift problems. In these instances, our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will investigate to determine if a company should be held responsible for injuries sustained by victims of accidents.

How to File a Claim

You should seek medical attention immediately after an accident on the water. However, you should consult a lawyer before giving an admission to the insurance adjuster or any other party. An attorney can help protect your rights, ensuring that you are compensated in a fair manner for any damages.

The legal procedure for seeking compensation after a boat accident is to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the person or parties who are liable. It is common to present evidence to support a claim for damages both economic and noneconomic. Economic damages are medical expenses and other expenses that result from the accident, such as lost income due to missed work. Non-economic damages include pain, suffering, and other forms of loss that is difficult to quantify.

In certain cases the boat manufacturer or parts of the boat may be held responsible for an accident when their product was created or manufactured in a defective manner. A skilled New York boating injury lawyer can investigate whether product liability is involved and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In some cases, it is not just the person who operates a boat who is liable for an accident. Owners of vessels can be held accountable, particularly when the owner is responsible for hiring and training the person who operates their vessel or in the event that a person who isn't fit to operate a craft is allowed to use their property.