Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an exciting and enjoyable leisure activity, boat accident lawyer however, it can be a danger. If negligence causes an accident the victim and their families may be entitled to compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC boat accident lawyer can assist injured victims in obtaining the full amount of damages they deserve. A claim can include past medical expenses, as well as other economic damages.

Damages

Although many people imagine bodies of water like the Wild West, there are laws that govern the boats on rivers, lakes and oceans throughout the United States. Boat accidents can involve various federal and state laws that are considered when determining the degree of negligence. If a boat driver is drunk, they could be sued for negligence. There are also federal laws that address pollution and deaths on the sea. Furthermore, there are specific maritime laws, like the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families access to compensation similar to workers' compensation in other industries.

If a loved one has been killed in a tragic boat accident family members can sue to recover damages, including loss of companionship and funeral expenses. They can also sue for pain and suffering. Families can recover money to cover medical bills from the past as well as future treatment.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you in determining whether you or your loved ones were injured in an accident on the boat. An attorney for personal injuries can examine your insurance coverage and the responsible party's policies on boat liability to determine the type of compensation you are entitled to receive in a settlement or verdict. In addition, an experienced lawyer can determine if there are any other parties that may be liable for the accident, such as the manufacturer of a defective boat or boat component.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters seek damages to cover medical expenses (past and anticipated) and lost earnings due to the time they miss from work, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damage to their boats. Serious injuries commonly involve back and neck injury or brain trauma, broken bones, boat accident lawyer paralysis and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve a variety of individuals who could be accountable for the collision. This includes the operator of the boat, any passengers aboard at the time of the accident and other watercrafts or boats involved, manufacturers of boats as well as their parts, engines and government agencies that set up buoys to warn people of dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer will be aware of the rules and regulations 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 boat who suffers an injury at sea has rights to compensation that are similar to those of workers' compensation recipients. Similarly, sailors who are injured on international waters or in outer continental shelf waters have the right to file a claim under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. State workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers who have been injured and families of sailors who have died.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence gathered during the early stages of the legal process will aid in determining the strength and effectiveness of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident can help establish liability and reveal what caused the boating collision. Eyewitnesses also can provide valuable evidence to help you prove your claim.

Medical records are essential for determining the extent of your injuries and the damages that resulted. These records should include detailed accounts of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, and the expenses associated with these. You'll need to document changes in your income and capacity to work, as well as any other non-financial loss.

Injuries to the spinal cord and brain are a common occurrence in boat accidents. The injuries in this category can be caused by oxygen deficiency carbon monoxide poisoning or blunt force trauma caused by hitting the head against areas such as the propeller or the side of the boat. Often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other types of maritime injuries involve mechanical failure that can result from engine or electrical failure in the steering system, as well as gear shift issues. Our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will investigate these cases to determine whether the manufacturer should be held responsible for the injuries suffered by accident victims.

The process of filing a claim

While it is important to seek medical attention for injuries immediately following a boat accident however, you shouldn't make an account to an insurance adjuster or another party without consulting a lawyer. Your lawyer can help protect your rights, and ensure that you receive adequate compensation for the damages.

In order to seek compensation following a boating collision, you will need to file an insurance claim, or a lawsuit against the party(ies) responsible. It is standard to provide evidence in support of claims for damages both economic and noneconomic. Economic damages can include medical expenses and other expenses incurred as a result of the accident, including the loss of income resulting from missing work. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering, and other forms of loss that can be difficult to quantify.

In some cases, a boat accident lawsuits manufacturer or parts of the boat may be held accountable for a mishap if their product was manufactured or designed in a way that was defective. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer can determine if a product's liability is at stake and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In some instances the boat's operator might not be held responsible for an accident. The owner of the vessel may be held responsible too, particularly if they are responsible for hiring or training the person operating their vessel or allow someone who isn't fit to operate an unfit boat to use their property.