Boat Accident Litigation

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

A NYC lawyer for boat accidents can help injured victims claim the amount of damages they deserve. A claim may include past medical expenses, along with other economic damages.

Damages

While many people imagine bodies of water like the Wild West, there are laws that govern the boats on rivers, lakes and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can trigger multiple federal and state laws that are considered to determine if negligence was the cause. For instance, if a boat operator was drunk, this could open them up to civil lawsuits based on negligence. There are federal laws that deal with pollution and deaths at sea. There are maritime regulations, like the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with similar compensation to other industries.

If a loved one has been killed in a boating accident that killed them, the family can sue to recover damages, including lost companionship and funeral expenses. They can also sue for pain and suffering. Families can seek compensation to cover past medical costs and any future treatment.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you to determine if you or your loved ones were injured in a boating accident. A personal injury lawyer will review your insurance coverage and the responsible party's policies on boat liability to determine the amount of compensation you are entitled to in a settlement or a verdict. An experienced lawyer can also determine if there are other parties who may be liable, like the manufacturer or a component of the boat that was defective.

Liability

In general, boaters who are injured seek damages to recover medical expenses (past and future), lost income from the absence of work emotional trauma, and suffering and pain. Most serious injuries involve back and neck injury as well as brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis or internal organ damage.

Accidents involving boats can involve many people who could be held accountable for the accident. These include the operator of the boat accident attorneys, any passengers who were aboard at the time of the incident as well as the other watercraft or boats involved, the makers of boats and their parts, motors and government agencies that set up buoys to alert people of dangers. A personal injury lawyer will be aware of the rules and regulations of both state law and federal maritime laws to determine who may be liable for a crash.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a vessel who suffers an injury on the sea is entitled to compensation similar to those of workers' compensation beneficiaries. Additionally, sailors injured in international waters or in outer continental shelf waters have the right to submit a claim under Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. The state workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers who have been injured and the families of sailors who have died.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence collected during the early stages of the legal process will help determine the strength and legitimacy of your case. For instance, taking pictures of the scene of the accident could help determine the liability as well as establishing how the boating collision occurred. Eyewitnesses can also give valuable evidence to help you prove your claim.

Medical records are crucial for in determining the extent of your injuries as well as the related damages. These records should include precise details of hospital and doctor visits surgery, rehabilitation, and costs associated with them. You should document the changes in your income and job capacity, as well with any other non-financial losses.

The spinal and brain injuries are common in boat accidents. These injuries can result from carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation, or blunt force trauma if the head strikes the propeller of the boat. These injuries can have a life-altering effect.

Other types of marine injuries are caused by mechanical problems, such as electrical or engine failure or steering issues, as well as gear shift issues. In these cases, our NYC boating accident lawyers will determine if a manufacturer can be held liable for the injuries suffered by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

While it is essential to seek medical attention for injuries immediately after a boating accident, you should not offer an account to an insurance adjuster or other party without first consulting a lawyer. A lawyer can safeguard your rights, and ensure that you get the right amount of compensation for damages.

The legal procedure for seeking compensation after a boat accident attorneys accident is to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the person or parties who are responsible. It is standard to provide evidence in support of an insurance claim for both non-economic and economic damages. Economic damages refer to the cost of medical treatment and other expenses related to the accident, including lost earnings due to missed work. Noneconomic damages include pain and suffering and other intangible damages which are harder to quantify.

In some cases the manufacturer of a vessel or one of its parts may be held accountable for an accident in the event that their product was defectively made or designed. A skilled New York boating injury lawyer can investigate whether product liability is involved and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In certain instances it's not just the operator of a vessel that could be held accountable for a crash. Owners of vessels can be held accountable, particularly when the owner is responsible for hiring and training the person operating their vessel or if a person unfit to operate a craft is allowed to use their property.