Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an exciting and enjoyable recreational activity but it is also dangerous. If a negligent act causes to an accident and their families could be entitled to compensation for injuries and losses.

A NYC lawyer who handles boat accidents can assist injured victims in getting the compensation they deserve. A claim includes a demand for 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 vessels that travel on rivers, lakes and oceans throughout the United States. Boat accidents can involve many federal and state laws that are considered when determining the degree of negligence. If a boat driver is drunk, they may be liable for negligence. There are federal laws that address pollution and deaths at sea. In addition, there are specific maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families a pathway to compensation similar to workers who receive compensation in other industries.

If a loved one was killed in a boat accident, the family members may sue for damages such as loss of companionship, funeral expenses as well as pain and boat accident law firms loss. Families can get money to cover past medical costs and future treatment.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine whether you or your loved one was injured in an accident on the boat. A personal injury attorney can examine your insurance policy as well as the boat liability policies of the responsible party to determine the compensation you may be eligible to receive as part of settlement or a jury verdict. A lawyer with experience can also determine if there are other parties that could be liable, such as the manufacturer, or even a part of the boat that was faulty.

Liability

Typically, injured boaters seek damages to cover medical expenses (past and anticipated) and lost earnings due to time missed from work in pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damages to their boats. Serious injuries commonly involve neck and back injuries as well as brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis and internal organ damage.

In boating accidents, there are a variety of parties who could have legal liability for a crash, including the boat accident law firms's operator, passengers on board at the time of the incident as well as other watercraft and boats involved in the collision, the manufacturers of the boats as well as their engines or parts, and even the government agencies that are responsible for putting up buoys to warn people of danger conditions. A personal injury lawyer will be familiar with both state and federal maritime laws in order to determine who is accountable for an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a boat who suffers an injury at sea is entitled to compensation similar to those of workers' compensation beneficiaries. Similar, sailors injured in international waters or the outer continental shelf waters are entitled to submit claims under the Jones Act as well as other federal maritime regulations. Workers' compensation laws of the state laws also apply to maritime workers injured and the families of sailors who have passed away.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence gathered in the beginning stages of the legal process could help you determine the strength of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident will help determine the liability and establish how the boating collision happened. Eyewitnesses also can provide valuable information that will 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 doctor and hospital visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, and the cost associated with these. You'll need to document any changes in your income or capacity to work, as well for any other financial loss.

Spinal cord and brain injuries are a common occurrence in boat accidents. The injuries in this category can result from oxygen deprivation carbon monoxide poisoning, or blunt force trauma that results from hitting the head against areas like the propeller, or on the side of the boat. These injuries can have a life-changing effect.

Other forms of marine injuries are caused by mechanical issues like electrical or engine failure or steering system malfunctions and gear shift problems. In these cases our NYC boating accident lawyers will investigate to determine if a manufacturer can be held accountable for injuries sustained by victims of accidents.

How to File a Claim

It is important to seek medical attention immediately after an incident on the boat accident law firms. However, it is recommended to consult a lawyer prior to submitting an admission to the insurance adjuster or any other person. Your lawyer will protect your rights and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve for any damages.

In order to claim compensation for a boating incident you must submit an insurance claim or an action against the party(ies) responsible. This usually involves providing evidence to justify a claim of economic as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages include the costs of medical treatment as well as other costs associated with the accident, such as lost income from missed work. Noneconomic damages are those that result from pain and suffering and other intangible damages that may be harder to quantify.

In some instances, the manufacturer of a vessel or one of its components may be held accountable for an accident if their product was defectively created or manufactured. A New York boating accident lawyer may investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In certain instances the boat's operator might not be held accountable for a collision. The owner of a vessel is liable also, particularly if they are responsible for hiring or training the person operating their vessel or permit a person who isn't fit to operate an unfit boat to use their property.