Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an enjoyable and exciting activity to enjoy, but it could be dangerous. If negligence causes an accident the victim and their families may be entitled to compensation for the loss and injuries.

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

Damages

While 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 may be a result of various federal and state laws which are considered when determining the degree of negligence. If a boat driver is drunk, they may be sued for negligence. Federal laws also address pollution and deaths at sea. There are also maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with a similar compensation pathway to other industries.

If a loved one was killed in a boating accident, the family members may sue on their behalf for damages including loss of companionship, funeral expenses as well as pain and suffering. Families may also seek compensation for past medical bills and future costs for treatment.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine whether you or your loved one was injured in a boat accident. An attorney for personal injuries can review your insurance coverage as well as the responsible party's policies on boat liability to determine what damages you could be entitled to in a settlement or verdict. Additionally, a skilled lawyer can assess whether there are any other parties who may be accountable for the accident such as the manufacturer of the defective boat or boat accident law firms part.

Liability

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

Boating accidents can involve a variety of parties that could be held accountable for the accident. This includes the boat operator, passengers aboard at the time of the incident as well as other watercraft or boats involved, boat manufacturers and their components, engines and government agencies that set up buoys to warn people about dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer will be familiar with both state and federal maritime laws in order to determine who is responsible in the event of an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a vessel who is injured at sea has rights to compensation similar to those of workers' compensation beneficiaries. Similarly, sailors who are injured in international waters or in the outer continental shelf waters are entitled to make a claim under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. Families and maritime workers who have been injured as well as the families of sailors who have died have rights under state workers' compensation laws.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence gathered in the initial stages of the legal process can aid in determining the strength and viability of your case. Photographing the accident scene can help determine the extent of liability and help determine how the boating incident occurred. It's also important to obtain details from eyewitnesses as they can offer valuable evidence that can support your claims.

Medical records are vital for in determining the severity of your injuries and the damages that resulted. The records should contain thorough reports of doctor and hospital visits, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments, and the costs associated with these. You'll need to record any changes to your income and capacity to work, as well with any other non-financial losses.

The spinal and brain injuries are common in boat collisions. These injuries can result from carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation, or blunt force trauma, when your head strikes the propeller of the boat. Most often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other types of marine injuries are caused by mechanical failures, such as electrical or engine problems, steering problems, and problems with gear shifts. Our NYC boating accident attorneys will look into these cases to determine whether the manufacturer is held accountable for the injuries sustained by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

While it is essential to seek medical attention immediately for injuries following a boat accident lawyers accident but you should not provide a statement to an insurance adjuster or any other party without first consulting with a lawyer. A lawyer can safeguard your rights, ensuring that you receive the proper compensation for the damages.

The legal process for seeking compensation after a boat accident is to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the person or parties who are accountable. It is commonplace to present evidence to support an insurance claim for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses and other expenses incurred as a result of the accident, which includes loss of income due to missing work. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, and other intangible losses that are difficult to quantify.

In certain cases, a boat accident law firms manufacturer or a part of the boat can be held responsible for a mishap if their product was manufactured or designed in a flawed manner. A skilled New York boating injury lawyer will determine if product liability is involved and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In some instances there are instances where it is not only the operator of a vessel who is liable for a crash. The owner of a vessel is liable too, particularly when they are responsible for hiring or training the person who is operating their boat accident lawyers or allow someone who is unfit to operate the vessel on their premises.