Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is a fun and thrilling recreational activity that can be risky. If negligence causes an accident, the victims and their families could be entitled to compensation for the loss and injuries.

A NYC boat accident lawyer can help injured victims demand the amount of damages they are entitled to. A claim includes the need for past medical expenses and other economic damages.

Damages

Although many people imagine bodies of water as if they were the Wild West, there are laws that govern boats that are moored on lakes, rivers and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents may be governed by a variety of federal and state laws that are taken into consideration to determine if negligence was the cause. If a boater is drunk, they may be sued for negligence. There are also federal laws that address pollution and deaths at sea. There are maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with similar compensation pathways to other industries.

If a loved-one was killed in a fatal boat accident family members 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 resulted in injuries to you or your loved ones If you or your loved ones were injured, a New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine what damages you are entitled to claim. A personal injury attorney can review your insurance policy and the policies governing boat liability of the responsible party to determine the compensation you might be able to receive as part of settlement or a jury verdict. An experienced lawyer can also determine if other parties that could be accountable, such as the manufacturer, or even a part of the boat that was faulty.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters pursue damages to recover medical expenses (past and expected) as well as lost income due to absences from work, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damage to their boats. The most serious injuries are neck and back injuries and brain trauma, fractured bones, paralysis and organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve many parties that could be held accountable for the collision. This includes the boat's operator, passengers who were aboard at the time of the incident as well as other watercraft or boats involved, manufacturers of boats and their parts, motors, and government agencies that place buoys to warn people of dangers. A personal injury attorney will be familiar with both state and federal maritime laws to determine who is liable for an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a boat who suffers an injury on the sea is entitled to a compensation equal to that of workers' compensation recipients. Similarly, sailors who are injured in international waters or in the outer continental shelf waters are entitled to claim compensation under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. The families of injured maritime workers and the relatives of sailors who died have claims under state worker law on compensation.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence gathered during the early stages of the legal process will aid in determining the strength and viability of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident can help determine liability and help determine the circumstances of the boating accident. It's also important to obtain information from eyewitnesses since they can provide valuable testimony to support your assertions.

Medical records are crucial for establishing the extent of your injuries as well as the injuries that result from them. These records should include detailed details of hospital and doctor visitations as well as rehabilitation procedures, surgeries as well as the expenses associated with them. You will also need to note any changes to your income and employment along with other non-financial losses.

Brain and spinal cord injuries are common in boat accident lawyers accidents. These injuries can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma, when the head hits the propeller of the boat accident lawyers. In most cases, these injuries can be life-changing.

Other forms of marine injuries result from mechanical issues that can result from electrical or engine failure or steering system malfunctions and gear shift problems. In these cases our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will determine if a manufacturer can be held responsible for injuries sustained by accident victims.

The process of filing a claim

It is crucial to seek medical attention immediately for injuries following a boat accident and you should not make a statement to an insurance adjuster, or another party without consulting with a lawyer. An attorney can help protect your rights, including ensuring that you receive the proper compensation for damages.

In order to obtain compensation following a boating accident you must file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the party(ies) responsible. This typically includes the presentation of evidence to justify a claim of economic as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages can include medical expenses and other expenses that result from the accident, which includes loss of income due to missing work. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, and any other intangible loss that is difficult to quantify.

In some instances, a boat manufacturer, or parts of the vessel can be held accountable for a mishap if their product was designed or manufactured in a flawed manner. A skilled New York boating injury lawyer can investigate whether product liability is involved and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In certain instances, it is not just the operator of a boat who may be held liable for an accident. The owner of a vessel can be held liable in addition, especially if they are responsible for hiring or training the person operating their boat or allow someone who isn't qualified to operate a boat on their property.