Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is a fun and thrilling activity for the whole family, but it could be dangerous. If a negligent act leads to an accident and their families may be entitled to compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC lawyer who handles boat accidents will assist victims of injuries to get the amount they deserved. A claim can include past medical expenses, as well as other economic damages.

Damages

Although many people imagine bodies of water similar to the Wild West, there are laws that govern the boats that are moored on lakes, rivers and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can be governed by multiple federal and state laws that are weighed in determining if negligence took place. If a boat driver is drunk, they may be sued for negligence. There are also federal laws that address pollution and deaths at sea. There are also 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 was killed in a tragic boat accident family members could sue for damages including lost companionship and funeral costs. They can also sue for pain and suffering. Families may also seek compensation to pay medical bills in the past and future medical expenses.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine whether you or a loved one was injured in a boating accident. An attorney for personal injuries can review your insurance coverage and the responsible party's boat liability policy to determine what compensation you are entitled to receive in a settlement or verdict. In addition, an experienced lawyer can assess whether there are any other individuals who are liable for the incident, such as the manufacturer of a defective boat or boat Accident Law firm component.

Liability

In general, boat accident Law Firm injured boaters seek damages to recover medical costs (past and future) and lost income due to time away from work emotional trauma and pain and suffering. Serious injuries commonly involve back and neck injury as well as brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents usually involve multiple people who could bear legal liability for a collision, such as the boat's operator, other passengers aboard at the time of the incident or other watercraft and boats involved in the collision, as well as the manufacturers of the boats and their parts or engines and even government agencies responsible for putting buoys that warn of the dangers of conditions. A personal injury lawyer can be familiar with the details of both state law and 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 has similar rights to those of workers compensation beneficiaries. Also, sailors who are injured in international waters or in the outer continental shelf waters are entitled to make a claim under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. Families and maritime workers who have been injured as well as the families of deceased sailors also have claims under state workers compensation laws.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence gathered during the initial stages of the legal process could aid in determining the strength of your case. For instance, taking pictures of the scene of the accident can be useful in determining the extent of liability as well as establishing the circumstances of the boating accident. It is also essential to collect details from eyewitnesses as they can be a valuable source of evidence that supports your claims.

Medical records are crucial for in determining the extent of your injuries and the injuries that result from them. These records should include thorough reports of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, as well as the costs associated with these. Additionally, you should note any changes to your income and employment along with other losses that are not financial in nature.

Boat accidents are frequently 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 is struck by the propeller of the boat. In most cases, these injuries can be life-changing.

Other forms of marine injury are caused by mechanical issues for example, electrical or engine failure as well as steering system malfunctions and gear shift issues. Our NYC lawyers for boating accidents will analyze these cases to determine whether the manufacturer is held responsible for the 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 any other party without first consulting a lawyer. Your attorney can protect your rights, including ensuring that you receive adequate compensation for damages.

In order to seek compensation following a boating collision you must file an insurance claim, or an action against the party(ies) responsible. This usually involves presenting evidence to justify a claim of economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses and other expenses caused by the accident, including the loss of income resulting from missing work. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering and other intangible damages that are more difficult to quantify.

In some instances, a boat manufacturer, or parts of the boat can be held accountable for an accident when their product was constructed or designed in a way that was defective. A New York boating accident lawyer will investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In certain situations the boat owner may not be held accountable for an accident. Owners of vessels can be held accountable, particularly when they are responsible for hiring and training the person who operates their vessel or when a person not qualified to operate a boat is allowed on their property.