Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an enjoyable and exciting recreational activity that is also risky. If a negligent decision leads to an accident, the victim and their families may be entitled to financial compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC lawyer who handles boat accidents can assist injured victims in getting the amount they are due. A claim includes the need for past medical expenses and other economic damages.

Damages

While many people associate bodies of water with the Wild West in the United States There are laws that govern the boats on lakes and rivers as well as oceans. Boat accidents can be governed by multiple federal and state laws which are weighed in determining if negligence occurred. For instance, if a boat operator was drunk, this could be a cause for civil action for negligence. There are also federal laws that deal with death and pollution at sea. There are maritime regulations, like the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with a similar compensation pathways to other industries.

If a loved-one was killed in a fatal boat accident family members can sue for damages, including loss of companionship and funeral costs. They may also sue for pain and suffering. Families can seek compensation to pay for medical expenses from the past and future medical treatment.

If a boating accident caused injuries to you or your loved ones If you or your loved ones were injured, a New York City boat accident law firms accident lawyer can assist you in determining what type of damages you may be entitled to claim. An attorney for personal injuries can review your insurance coverage and the responsible party's boat liability policy to determine the type of compensation you may be entitled to receive in a settlement or a verdict. A lawyer with experience can also determine if there other parties that could be accountable, such as the manufacturer or part of the boat that was defective.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters seek damages to recover medical expenses (past and expected) as well as lost income due to time missed from work in pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damage to their boats. Most serious injuries involve back and neck injury or brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis and organ damage.

Accidents involving boats can involve many people who could be held liable for the crash. These include the operator of the boat, any passengers aboard at the time of accident as well as the other watercraft or boats involved, boat manufacturers and their parts, motors and government agencies that put up buoys to alert people of dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer will be aware of the details 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 boat who is injured at sea has rights to compensation similar to those of workers' compensation recipients. In the same way, sailors injured on international waters or in outer continental shelf waters are entitled to make a claim under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. Families of injured maritime workers as well as relatives of sailors who died have claims under state worker insurance laws.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence gathered during the initial stages of the legal process could aid in determining the strength of your case. Photographing the accident scene can help determine liability and reveal how the boating incident occurred. It is also important to obtain information from eyewitnesses, as they can be a valuable source of evidence that supports your assertions.

Medical records are essential for determining the extent of your injuries, and the damages that resulted. These records should include precise accounts of doctor and hospital visitations, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments and the costs associated with them. You will need to document any changes in your income or job capacity, as well for any other financial loss.

The spinal and brain injuries are a common occurrence in boat accidents. These injuries may be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma, when the head is struck by the propeller of the boat. These injuries can cause life-altering impact.

Other types of marine injuries include mechanical failures that can result from electrical or engine failure as well as steering system malfunctions and gear shift issues. Our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will look into these cases to determine whether the manufacturer is held responsible for the injuries sustained by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

You should seek medical attention immediately after a boating accident. However, it is recommended to consult with a lawyer prior to giving a statement to the insurance adjuster or another party. A lawyer can defend your rights and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve for any damages.

To seek compensation following a boating accident you must file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the party(ies) responsible. It is common to present evidence in support of an insurance claim for both economic and noneconomic damage. Economic damages may include medical costs and other expenses incurred as a result of the accident, including loss of income due to missing work. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering, and other intangible loss that is difficult to quantify.

In some cases, a boat manufacturer, or a part of the vessel can be held liable for an accident if their product was constructed or designed in a way that was defective. A skilled New York boating injury lawyer can determine if a product's liability is at stake and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In some cases it's not just the person who operates a boat Accident Law firm who is liable for the event of a crash. Owners of vessels can be held accountable, particularly if the owner is responsible for the hiring and training of the person who operates their vessel or if a person unfit to operate a craft is allowed to use their property.