Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be a thrilling and enjoyable leisure activity, however, it can also be dangerous. If a negligent act causes to an accident, the victims and their families could be entitled to compensation for the injuries and losses.

A NYC lawyer for boat accidents can help injured victims demand the full amount of damages they are entitled to. A claim can be a demand for 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 may be governed by a variety of federal and state laws that are taken into consideration in determining whether negligence occurred. For example, if a boat operator was drunk, this could lead to civil lawsuits for negligence. Federal laws also address pollution and deaths on the sea. Additionally, there are special maritime regulations like the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families access to compensation that is similar to workers' compensation in other industries.

If a loved-one was killed in a boating accident, the family members may bring a lawsuit on their behalf to recover damages, including loss of companionship, funeral expenses as well as pain and loss. Families can get money to pay for medical expenses from the past and future medical treatment.

If a boat accident caused injuries to you or your loved ones, a New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine what damages you might be entitled to claim. A personal injury lawyer can examine your insurance policy and the policies governing boat liability of the responsible party to determine what compensation you are eligible to receive as part of an agreement or jury verdict. An experienced lawyer can also determine if there are other parties that could be liable, like the manufacturer, or even a part of the boat that was defective.

Liability

Typically, injured boaters seek damages to recover medical expenses (past and expected), lost income due to absences from work or pain and suffering emotional trauma, and damages to their boats. Serious injuries include neck and back injuries, brain traumas, broken bones and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents may involve many parties that could be held accountable for the accident. These include the operator of the odessa Boat Accident attorney, any passengers aboard at the time of the accident as well as the other watercraft or boats involved, atlantic boat accident law firm manufacturers and their parts, motors, and government agencies who place buoys to alert people of dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer can be familiar with the ins and outs of state law as well as federal maritime laws to determine who can be liable in a collision.

Under the Jones Act a worker on an vessel that is injured at sea has similar rights to those of workers compensation beneficiaries. Also, sailors who are injured on international waters or in the outer continental shelf waters are entitled to make a claim under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. The families of injured maritime workers and the relatives of sailors who died are entitled to compensation under state workers insurance laws.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence gathered in the beginning stages of the legal process could aid in determining the strength of your case. Photographing the accident scene can help establish liability and reveal what caused the boating collision. It is also important to obtain information from eyewitnesses, as they can provide evidence that supports your claims.

Medical records are essential to understanding the severity of your injuries and related damages. The records should include thorough account of hospital and doctor visitations as well as rehabilitation procedures, surgeries as well as the expenses associated with them. Additionally, you should note any changes to your income and employment and other non-financial losses.

Boat accidents are typically related to brain and spinal cord injuries. The injuries in this category can be caused by oxygen deprivation carbon monoxide poisoning, blunt force trauma from hitting the head against areas like the propeller or side of the boat. The majority of the time, these injuries are life-changing.

Other types of marine injuries involve mechanical failure like electrical or engine problems in the steering system, as well as gear shift issues. In these instances, our NYC boating accident lawyers will determine if a manufacturer can be held responsible for injuries suffered by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

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

The legal process for seeking compensation for a boating accident involves filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the person or parties who are accountable. It is common to present evidence to support the claim, which includes damages both economic and noneconomic. Economic damages are those incurred as a result of medical treatment and other costs associated with the accident, for example lost earnings from work missed. Non-economic damages include pain, suffering, and other forms of loss that can be difficult to quantify.

In some cases, a boat manufacturer, or a part of the vessel can be held liable for causing an accident if their product was constructed or designed in a manner that was not safe. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer will determine if product responsibility is involved and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In some instances the boat's owner might not be held accountable for an accident. The owners of boats can also be held accountable, in particular when the owner is responsible for hiring and training the person operating their vessel or if a person unfit to operate a vessel is allowed to use their property.