Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is a fun and exciting recreational activity that can be risky. If a negligent decision leads to an accident and their families could be entitled to monetary compensation for the injuries and losses.

A NYC lawyer for boat accidents will assist victims of injuries to claim the full amount of damages they deserve. A claim is an obligation to pay for medical expenses as well as other economic damages.

Damages

While many people associate bodies of water with the Wild West in the United States There are laws that govern the boats on lakes and rivers as well as oceans. Boat accidents can trigger multiple federal and state laws that are considered in determining if negligence occurred. For example, if a boat operator was drunk, it could make them vulnerable to civil action for negligence. Federal laws also address death and pollution at sea. There are maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and boat Accidents their families with similar compensation options to other industries.

If a loved one died in a boating accident that killed them family members can sue for damages, boat Accidents including lost companionship and funeral expenses. They may also sue for suffering and pain. Families can also seek reimbursement to pay medical bills in the past and future treatment costs.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you in determining whether you or your loved one was injured during a boat accident. A personal injury lawyer can examine your insurance policy as well as the policies on boat liability of the responsible party to determine the compensation you may be eligible to receive as part of a settlement or jury verdict. An experienced lawyer can also determine if are other parties who may be liable, such as the manufacturer or part of the boat accident attorney that was defective.

Liability

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

In boating accidents, there are a variety of parties that could potentially bear legal responsibility for the collision, including the boat's operator, any passengers on board at the time of the crash, other boats and watercraft involved in the collision, the makers of the boats as well as their engines or parts and even the government agencies that are responsible for putting up buoys to warn of hazardous conditions. A personal injury attorney is familiar with federal and state maritime laws to determine who is at fault in the event of an accident.

Under the Jones Act a worker on an vessel that is injured at sea has similar rights as workers compensation beneficiaries. Similar to sailors injured in international waters, or outer continental shelf water are entitled to claim compensation under the Jones Act as well as other maritime regulations of the federal government. Families of injured maritime workers as well as relatives of sailors who died have claims under state worker insurance laws.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence gathered in the initial stages of the legal process will help determine the strength and legitimacy of your case. Photographing the accident scene can help determine liability and reveal what caused the boating collision. Eyewitnesses may also provide crucial information that can support your claim.

Medical records are vital for finding out the extent of your injuries and the damages that resulted. These records should include thorough reports of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, and the expenses associated with these. You will also need to note any changes to your income and employment and other non-financial losses.

Injuries to the spinal cord and brain are common in boat accidents. These types of injuries could result from oxygen deficiency carbon monoxide poisoning, or blunt force trauma that results from hitting the head on areas like the propeller or sides of the boat. These injuries can have a life-altering effect.

Other types of maritime injuries include mechanical failures like engine or electrical failure or steering system malfunctions and gear shift issues. In these cases, our NYC boating accident lawyers will determine if a manufacturer can be held accountable for the injuries suffered by victims of accidents.

How to File a Claim

While it is important to seek medical attention immediately for injuries following a boat accident and you should not make a statement to an insurance adjuster, or another party without consulting with a lawyer. An attorney can help protect your rights, and ensure that you receive adequate compensation for damages.

The legal procedure to seek compensation for a boating accident involves filing an insurance claim or lawsuit against the party or parties that are liable. It is commonplace to present evidence in support of a claim for both non-economic and economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses and other expenses that are incurred due to the accident, including loss of income due to missing work. Non-economic damages can include pain, suffering, and other types of intangible loss that may be difficult to quantify.

In some instances, the manufacturer of a vessel or one of its components may be held accountable for an accident when their product was not properly designed or manufactured. A New York boating accident lawyer could investigate the possibility product liability and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In certain situations, the boat operator may not be held liable for a collision. Owners of vessels can be held accountable, in particular in the event that the owner is responsible for the hiring and training of the person who operates their vessel, or if a person unfit to operate a boat accident lawsuit is allowed on their property.