Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an exciting and enjoyable activity for the whole family, but it's also a risky one. If a negligent act leads to an accident and their families could be entitled to financial compensation for the injuries and losses.

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

Damages

While many people imagine bodies of water like the Wild West, there are laws that govern the boats that are moored on lakes, rivers and oceans throughout the United States. Boat accidents may be governed by a variety of federal and state laws that are taken into consideration in determining if negligence occurred. If a boat accident attorneys driver is drunk, they could be liable for negligence. Federal laws also deal with pollution and deaths on the sea. Additionally, there are special maritime regulations, such as 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 boat accident, the family members may sue for damages that include the loss of companionship, funeral costs as well as pain and loss. Families can get money to cover past medical costs and any future treatment.

If a boat accident has caused injuries to you or your loved ones A New York City boat accident attorney can assist you in determining what damages you may be entitled to claim. An attorney for personal injuries can review your insurance coverage and the responsible party's policies on boat liability to determine the amount of compensation you may be entitled to in a settlement or a verdict. A lawyer with experience will also be able to determine if there are other parties who may be liable, such as the manufacturer or a component of the boat Accident Law Firms that was defective.

Liability

In general, boaters who are injured seek damages to recover medical costs (past and future) as well as lost earnings due to absence from work, emotional trauma and pain and suffering. The most serious injuries are neck and back injuries and brain trauma, fractured bones, paralysis, and internal organ damage.

Accidents involving boats can involve many people who could be held accountable for the collision. This includes the operator of the boat, 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 put up buoys to warn people of dangers. An attorney who handles personal injury cases is well-versed in federal and state maritime laws to determine who is liable in the event of an accident.

Under the Jones Act a worker on a vessel injured at sea has the same rights to those of workers compensation beneficiaries. Similar, sailors who suffer injuries in international waters or outer continental shelf waters can file claims under the Jones Act as well as other federal maritime regulations. Workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers who have been injured and the families of sailors who died.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence collected in the early stages of the legal process can help determine the strength and effectiveness of your case. For instance, taking pictures of the scene of the accident could be helpful for determining the extent of liability and what caused the boating crash. Eyewitnesses can also give valuable evidence to support your claim.

Medical records are essential to in determining the extent of your injuries as well as the damage they cause. The records should include thorough reports of hospital and doctor visitations as well as rehabilitation procedures, surgeries as well as the expenses associated with them. You'll need to document any changes in your income or employment capacity, as well for any other financial loss.

Boat accidents are usually related to brain and spinal cord injuries. These injuries may be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma when the head is struck by the propeller of the boat. Most often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other types of marine injuries result from mechanical issues that can result from engine or electrical failure or steering system malfunctions and gear shift problems. Our NYC lawyers for boating accidents will analyze these cases to determine whether the manufacturer should be accountable for the injuries suffered by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

It is important to seek medical attention immediately after an incident on the boat. However, you should consult with a lawyer before submitting a statement to the insurance adjuster or any other person. Your lawyer can protect your rights and ensure that you receive the compensation that you are entitled to for the damages you have suffered.

The legal process to seek compensation after a boat accident is to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the party or parties that are responsible. This usually includes presenting evidence to support a claim for financial as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages are those incurred as a result of medical treatment as well as other expenses related to the accident, for example lost income from missed work. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering, and other forms of loss that is difficult to quantify.

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

In certain instances the boat owner may not be held liable for an accident. The owner of a vessel may be held responsible as well, especially when they are responsible for hiring or training the person operating their craft or if they allow someone who is not fit to operate a boat on their property.