Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an exciting and enjoyable recreational activity but it's also a risky one. If negligence causes an accident the victims and their families could be entitled to compensation for injuries and loss.

A NYC boat accident lawyer can help injured victims claim the maximum amount of compensation they deserve. A claim can include past medical expenses, along with other economic damages.

Damages

Many people think of bodies of water as if they were the Wild West, there are laws that govern the boats that are moored on lakes, rivers and oceans throughout the United States. Boat accidents can involve multiple federal and state laws that are weighed in determining if negligence took place. For example, if a boat operator was drunk, this could open them up to civil litigation for negligence. Federal laws also address death and pollution at sea. There are maritime regulations, like the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with similar compensation options to other industries.

If a loved one was killed in a fatal boat accident, the family may sue for damages, including lost companionship and funeral costs. They can also sue for pain and suffering. Families may also seek compensation for past medical bills as well as future medical expenses.

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 attorney can assist you in determining the type of damages you are entitled to claim. A personal injury attorney can look over your insurance policy and the policies governing boat liability of the responsible party to determine the amount of compensation you could be entitled to receive as part of a settlement or jury verdict. A lawyer with experience can also determine if there other parties that could be liable, like the manufacturer, or even a part of the boat that was defective.

Liability

In general, boat accident boaters who are injured seek damages to recover medical expenses (past and future) and lost income due to working absences emotional trauma and suffering and pain. The most serious injuries are back and neck injuries, brain traumas, broken bones, and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents often involve multiple parties that could be liable for legal responsibility for the collision, such as the boat's operator, any passengers who were aboard at the time of the accident as well as other watercraft and boats involved in the collision, the manufacturers of the boats and their components or engines and even government agencies responsible for placing buoys to warn of hazardous conditions. A personal injury lawyer will know the ins and outs of both state law and federal maritime laws to determine who can be held accountable in the event of a collision.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a vessel who suffers an injury at sea has rights to compensation similar to those of workers' compensation recipients. Additionally, sailors injured on international waters or in outer continental shelf waters are entitled to claim compensation under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. The state workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers who are injured as well as the families of deceased sailors.

Gathering Evidence

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

Medical records are essential for finding out the extent of your injuries and the damages that resulted. These records should include detailed reports of doctor and hospital visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, and the cost associated with these. You will need to document any changes in your income or capacity to work, as well in any other losses that are not financial.

Injuries to the spinal cord and brain are common in boat accidents. The injuries in this category can result from oxygen deficiency, carbon monoxide poisoning or blunt force trauma caused by hitting the head on places like the propeller or side of the boat. These injuries can cause life-changing impact.

Other forms of marine injury are caused by mechanical issues like electrical or engine problems, Boat Accident steering system malfunction and gear shift problems. Our NYC boating accident lawyers will investigate these cases to determine whether the manufacturer can be held accountable for the injuries sustained by accident victims.

Making a Claim

While it is important to seek medical attention immediately following a boat accident, you should not offer an account to an insurance adjuster or other party without first consulting with a lawyer. Your attorney can protect your rights, and ensure that you receive adequate compensation for the damages.

The legal procedure for seeking compensation after a boat accident is to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the party or parties that are accountable. This typically includes providing evidence to back a claim for economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to the cost of medical treatment as well as other expenses arising from the accident, like lost income from missed work. Non-economic damages can include pain, suffering, and any other intangible losses that are difficult to quantify.

In some instances the manufacturer of a vessel or one of its components could be held accountable for an accident if their product was defectively made or designed. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer can investigate whether product liability is involved and pursue compensation from the parties responsible.

In some cases there are instances where it is not only the boat accident lawyers's operator who is liable for the event of a crash. The owners of boats can also be held accountable, in particular when the owner is responsible for hiring and training the person who operates their vessel or if a person unfit to operate a craft is allowed to use their property.