Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an enjoyable and exciting recreational activity that 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 boat accident attorney can assist injured victims in getting the full amount they deserve. A claim may include past medical expenses as well as other economic damages.

Damages

Although many people imagine bodies of water similar to the Wild West, there are laws that govern the boats that are moored on lakes, rivers and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can trigger multiple federal and state laws that are weighed in determining whether negligence occurred. If a boat driver is drunk, they could be liable for negligence. There are also federal laws that deal with pollution and deaths at sea. There are 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 tragic boat accident family members could sue for damages including lost companionship and funeral costs. They may also sue for pain and suffering. Families can also seek reimbursement for past medical bills and future treatment costs.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you in determining whether you or a loved one was injured during an accident on the water. An attorney for personal injuries can review your insurance coverage and the responsible party's boat liability policy to determine what type of compensation you are entitled to receive in a settlement or a verdict. In addition, an experienced lawyer can assess whether there are any additional individuals who are liable for the accident such as the manufacturer of the defective boat or part.

Liability

In general, boaters who are injured seek damages to recover medical costs (past and future) and lost income due to time away from work emotional trauma, and pain and suffering. Serious injuries include neck and back injuries as well as brain traumas, fractured bones, and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve a variety of individuals who could be liable for the crash. These include the operator of the boat, any passengers aboard at the time of the collision, other boats or watercraft involved, boat manufacturers, their parts, engines, and government agencies that put up buoys to alert people of dangers. A personal injury lawyer will be knowledgeable of both state and federal maritime laws to determine who is responsible for an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a boat who is injured at sea has rights to compensation similar to those of workers' compensation beneficiaries. Additionally, sailors injured in international waters or in the outer continental shelf waters have the right to make a claim under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. The families of injured maritime workers and the family members of sailors who have passed away have rights under state workers law on compensation.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence gathered during the early stages of the legal process will aid in determining the strength and validity of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident can help determine liability and determine what caused the boating collision. It is also essential to collect evidence from eyewitnesses, since they can provide valuable testimony that supports your claims.

Medical records are crucial for finding out the extent of your injuries as well as the related damages. These records should include thorough reports of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, and the expenses associated with these. You'll need to record any changes in your income or capacity to work, as well in any other losses that are not financial.

Boat accidents are often caused by brain and spinal cord injuries. These injuries can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma that occurs when the head strikes the propeller of the quitman boat accident Lawsuit. Often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other kinds of marine injuries are caused by mechanical issues, like engine failure or electrical failure in steering, abrasions, and gear shift issues. In these instances our NYC boating accident lawyers will investigate to determine if a company should be held responsible for injuries sustained by victims of accidents.

Making a Claim

It is important to seek medical attention as soon as you notice an accident with a la mirada boat accident lawsuit. However, it is recommended to consult a lawyer prior to submitting a statement to the insurance adjuster or to any other party. Your lawyer can help protect your rights, including ensuring that you receive adequate compensation for damages.

In order to claim compensation after a boating accident, you will need to file an insurance claim, or a lawsuit against the party(ies) responsible. It is standard to provide evidence to support an insurance claim for damages both economic and noneconomic. Economic damages are those incurred as a result of medical treatment as well as other expenses related to the accident, such as the loss of income resulting from missing work. Noneconomic damages include pain and suffering as well as other intangible losses that are difficult to quantify.

In some instances the maker of a vessel or one of its parts can be held liable for an accident in the event of a product that was defectively created or manufactured. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer will determine if product liability is involved and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In certain situations the boat's owner might not be held liable for an accident. Boat owners can also be held accountable, especially when 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 is allowed on their property.