Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an enjoyable and thrilling activity for the whole family, but it can be dangerous. If a negligent action leads to an accident, victims and their families could be entitled to monetary compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC lawyer for boat accidents will assist victims of injuries to claim the amount of damages they are entitled to. The claim may cover past medical expenses and other economic damages.

Damages

Many people think of bodies of water like the Wild West, there are laws that govern 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 to determine if negligence was the cause. If a boater is drunk, they may be sued for negligence. There are federal laws that address pollution and deaths on the 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 has been killed in a tragic boat accident family members can sue for damages, including lost companionship and funeral costs. They can also sue for suffering and pain. Families can recover money to cover medical costs from the past and future medical treatment.

If a boat 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 assist you in determining what damages you could be entitled to claim. An attorney for personal injuries can review your insurance coverage as well as the responsible party's boat liability policies to determine the type of compensation you might be entitled to in a settlement or verdict. Additionally, a knowledgeable lawyer can assess whether there are any additional parties that may be liable for the incident, such as the manufacturer of the defective boat or component.

Liability

Typically, injured boaters seek damages to recover medical expenses (past and anticipated) and lost income because of time lost from work, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damages to their boats. Injuries that are serious typically involve back and neck injury, brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis or internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve a variety of parties that could be held liable for the crash. This includes the operator of the boat, passengers aboard at the time of the collision as well as other watercraft or boats involved, manufacturers of boats and their parts, motors, and government agencies that place buoys to alert people of dangers. A personal injury lawyer is aware of the specifics of both state law and federal maritime laws to determine who can be responsible in 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. Similar to that, sailors who suffer injuries in international waters or outer continental shelf water can submit claims under the Jones Act as well as other maritime regulations of the federal government. Workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers who are injured and the families of sailors who died.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence gathered in the beginning stages of the legal process can help you determine the strength of your case. For example, taking photographs of the scene of the accident can be useful in determining the degree of the extent of liability and the circumstances of the boating accident. It is also important to obtain information from eyewitnesses since they can be a valuable source of evidence that can support your claims.

Medical records are critical for establishing the extent of your injuries as well as the damage they cause. These records should include precise details of hospital and doctor visits surgery, rehabilitation and the costs associated with them. You should also document any changes in your income and employment as well as other losses that are not financial in nature.

Spinal cord and brain injuries are common in boat accidents. These injuries may be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation, or blunt force trauma when the head hits the propeller of the boat. These injuries could have a life-changing effect.

Other forms of marine injuries include mechanical failures, such as electrical or engine failure, steering system malfunction and gear shift issues. Our NYC boating accident attorneys will investigate these cases to determine whether the manufacturer should be accountable for the injuries sustained by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

It is crucial to seek medical attention immediately for injuries following a boat accident, you should not offer a statement to an insurance adjuster or another party without first consulting a lawyer. A lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure that you receive the compensation that you are entitled to for the damages you have suffered.

In order to obtain compensation after a boating accident it is necessary to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the party(ies) responsible. This typically includes presenting evidence to justify a claim of economic as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages may include medical costs and other expenses caused by the accident, such as the loss of income resulting from missing work. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering, as well as other losses that are difficult to quantify.

In some instances the boat manufacturer or parts of the vessel can be held liable for a mishap if their product was designed or manufactured in a manner that was not safe. A New York boating accident lawyer could investigate the possibility product liability and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In certain instances, the boat operator may not be held liable for a collision. Owners of vessels can also be held accountable, in particular when they are responsible for the hiring and training of the person operating their vessel, or when a person who is not fit to operate a boat accident law firms is allowed on their property.