Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is a fun and exciting recreational activity that can be risky. If negligence causes an accident the victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC lawyer for boat accidents can help injured victims get the compensation they deserve. A claim is the demand for past medical expenses as well as other financial damages.

Damages

While many people think of waters like the Wild West, there are laws that govern the boats on rivers, lakes, and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents may be governed by a variety of federal and state laws which are weighed in determining if negligence took place. If a boater is drunk, they may be sued for negligence. There are federal laws that deal with death and pollution at sea. Furthermore, there are specific maritime regulations such as the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families a pathway to compensation similar to workers who receive compensation in other industries.

If a loved one died in a fatal boat accident, the family can sue to recover damages, including lost companionship and funeral costs. They may also sue for pain and suffering. Families can collect money to cover past medical costs as well as future treatment.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you to determine if you or your loved one was injured in an accident on the water. A personal injury lawyer can look over your insurance policy and the responsible party's policies on boat liability to determine what type of damages you could be entitled to receive in a settlement or verdict. Additionally, a knowledgeable lawyer can assess whether there are any other individuals who are liable for the accident, including the manufacturer of the boat or part.

Liability

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

Boating accidents can involve many parties that could be held accountable for the accident. These include the operator of the boat, any passengers aboard at the time of the collision and other watercrafts or boats involved, the manufacturers of boats and their components, engines, and government agencies that set up buoys to warn people of dangers. A personal injury lawyer will know the specifics of both state law and federal maritime laws to determine who could be held accountable in the event of a collision.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a vessel who is injured at sea has rights to compensation that are similar to those of workers' compensation recipients. Similar to that, sailors injured in international waters or outer continental shelf waters can claim compensation under the Jones Act as well as other maritime regulations of the federal government. The state workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers injured and the families of sailors who have passed away.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence gathered in the initial stages of the legal process can aid in determining the strength and validity of your case. Photographing the accident scene can help determine the extent of liability and help determine how the boating incident occurred. It is also essential to collect evidence from eyewitnesses, since they can provide evidence which can back up your assertions.

Medical records are essential to finding out the extent of your injuries, as well as the damages that resulted. These records should include detailed account of hospital and doctor visitations as well as rehabilitation procedures, surgeries as well as the expenses associated with them. You'll need to record any changes in your income or job capacity, as well in any other losses that are not financial.

Brain and spinal cord injuries are common in boating accidents. Injuries in this category may be caused by oxygen deprivation carbon monoxide poisoning, or blunt force trauma that results from hitting the head on areas like the propeller or side of the boat. These injuries can have a life-altering impact.

Other types of marine accidents involve mechanical issues, for example engine failure or electrical failure in steering, abrasions, and problems with gear shifts. In these instances, our NYC boating accident lawyers will determine if a manufacturer should be held accountable for the injuries suffered by victims of accidents.

Filing a Claim

You should seek medical attention right away following an incident on the boat. However, it is recommended to consult with a lawyer before submitting an account to the insurance adjuster or Boat accidents any other person. Your attorney can protect your rights, including ensuring that you are compensated in a fair manner for damages.

The legal procedure for seeking compensation in the event of a boating accident involves filing an insurance claim or lawsuit against the person or parties who are liable. It is common to present evidence in support of the claim, which includes both non-economic and economic damages. Economic damages are the cost of medical treatment as well as other expenses associated with the accident, including lost income from missed work. Noneconomic damages include pain and suffering and other intangible damages that may be harder to quantify.

In some instances a boat accident attorneys manufacturer or a part of the vessel can be held liable for a mishap if their product was designed or manufactured in a flawed manner. A New York boating accident lawyer will investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In some instances there are instances where it is not only the operator of a vessel who could be held responsible for an accident. The owner of the vessel could be held accountable also, particularly when they are responsible for hiring or training the person who operates their craft or if they permit a person who isn't qualified to operate an unfit boat to use their property.