Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is an enjoyable and thrilling activity for the whole family, but it can be risky. If negligence leads to an accident, the victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC lawyer for boat accident lawsuits accidents can help injured victims claim the maximum amount of compensation they deserve. A claim can include past medical expenses, as well as other economic damages.

Damages

While many people think of bodies of water with the Wild West in the United States, there are laws governing the boats on lakes and rivers as well as oceans. Boat accidents can be governed by multiple federal and state laws that are weighed in determining if negligence occurred. If a boat driver is drunk, they could be sued for negligence. Federal laws also deal with death and pollution at sea. In addition, there are specific maritime laws, like the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families a pathway to compensation that is comparable to workers who receive compensation in other industries.

If a loved-one was killed in a boat accident, family members can sue them on behalf of damages that include the loss of companionship, funeral costs, and pain and suffering. Families may also seek compensation for medical bills from the past and future costs for treatment.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you to determine if you or your loved ones were injured in an accident on the water. A personal injury lawyer will review your insurance coverage as well as the responsible party's boat liability policies to determine what type of compensation you are entitled to in a settlement or verdict. An experienced lawyer can also assess if there are any other parties that could be accountable, such as the manufacturer or part of the boat that was defective.

Liability

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

Accidents involving boats can involve many parties that could be held liable for the crash. These include the boat's operator, passengers on board at the time of the incident, other boats or watercraft involved, manufacturers of boats and their parts, motors, and government agencies that place buoys to warn people about dangers. An attorney for personal injury will be knowledgeable of both state and federal maritime laws to determine who is accountable for 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. Similar, sailors who suffer injuries in international waters or outer continental shelf waters can file claims under the Jones Act as well as other maritime regulations of the federal government. Workers' compensation laws of the state laws also apply to maritime workers who have been injured as well as the families of sailors who have passed away.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence you gather during the initial stages of the legal process could help determine the strength of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident can help establish liability and establish how the boating collision happened. Eyewitnesses also can provide valuable information that will support your claim.

Medical records are crucial for determining the extent of your injuries as well as the damages that resulted. They should contain detailed account of hospital and doctor visitations as well as rehabilitation procedures, surgeries as well as the expenses associated with them. You will also need to document any changes in your income and employment as well as other non-financial losses.

Spinal cord and brain injuries are common in boat accidents (simply click for source). Injuries in this category may result from oxygen deprivation carbon monoxide poisoning, or blunt force trauma caused by hitting the head on places like the propeller or side of the boat. These injuries could have a life-altering effect.

Other types of marine injuries are caused by mechanical issues, like electrical or engine malfunctions such as steering issues, engine failure, and problems with gear shifts. In these cases our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will determine if a company should be held accountable for the injuries suffered by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

While it is essential to seek medical attention immediately following a boat accident but you should not provide an account to an insurance adjuster, or another party without consulting with a lawyer. A lawyer can defend your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for damages.

To seek compensation following a boating accident it is necessary to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the party(ies) responsible. It is common to present evidence in support of a claim for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses and other expenses that result from the accident, including lost income due to missed work. Non-economic damages can include pain, suffering, and any other intangible loss that can be difficult to quantify.

In some instances, a boat manufacturer, or a part of the vessel can be held responsible for causing an accident if their product was manufactured or designed in a manner that was not safe. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer can determine if a product's liability is involved and pursue compensation from the responsible parties.

In certain instances there are instances where it is not only the operator of a boat that could be held accountable for an accident. Boat owners can also be held accountable, especially when they are responsible for hiring and training the person operating their vessel or when a person not qualified to operate a boat is allowed to use their property.