Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is a fun and thrilling activity for the whole family, but it is also risky. If a negligent act causes to an accident, victims and their families may be entitled to monetary compensation for injuries and losses.

A NYC lawyer for boat accidents can help injured victims demand the amount of damages they are entitled to. A claim could include past medical expenses and other economic damages.

Damages

Although many people imagine bodies of water as if they were the Wild West, there are laws that govern boats that are moored on lakes, rivers, and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can involve many federal and state laws which are considered when determining the degree of negligence. For example, if a boat operator was drunk, it could lead to civil litigation for negligence. Federal laws also address pollution and deaths at the sea. In addition, there are specific maritime regulations such as the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families a pathway to compensation that is comparable to workers who receive compensation in other industries.

If a loved one has been killed in a fatal boat crash family members may sue for damages, including lost companionship and funeral costs. They may also sue for pain and suffering. Families can recover money to cover past medical costs as well as future treatment.

If a boat accident has caused injuries to you or your loved ones If you or your loved ones were injured, a New York City boat accident attorney can help you determine what damages you may be entitled to claim. A personal injury lawyer will examine your insurance policy as well as 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. In addition, an experienced lawyer can assess whether there are any other parties that may be liable for the accident such as the manufacturer of a defective leesburg boat accident law firm or boat component.

Liability

In general, injured boaters seek damages to recover medical costs (past and future) as well as lost earnings due to time away from work emotional trauma, as well as pain and suffering. The most serious injuries are neck and back injuries as well as brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis and organ damage.

Boating accidents typically involve multiple parties who could have legal liability for a collision, such as the boat's operator, any passengers who were aboard at the time of the incident or other watercraft and boats involved in the collision, the makers of the boats and their parts or engines and even the government agencies that are responsible for putting up buoys to warn of dangerous conditions. An attorney who handles personal injury cases is well-versed in both state and federal maritime laws to determine who is responsible for an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a vessel who is injured at sea has rights to compensation similar to those of workers' compensation recipients. Similarly, sailors who are injured in international waters or in the outer continental shelf waters are entitled to submit a claim under Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. State workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers who have been injured and families of sailors who died.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence gathered in the initial stages of the legal process will aid in determining the strength and legitimacy of your case. For example, taking photographs of the scene of the accident can be useful in determining the extent of liability as well as establishing how the boating collision happened. It is also essential to collect information from eyewitnesses, as they can be a valuable source of evidence which can back up your assertions.

Medical records are essential to finding out the extent of your injuries and injuries that result from them. These records should include detailed accounts of doctor and hospital visits, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments and the costs associated with them. You should also keep track of any changes in your income and employment and other losses that are not financial in nature.

Injuries to the spinal cord and brain are common in boat collisions. The injuries in this category can be caused by oxygen deficiency carbon monoxide poisoning, blunt force trauma from hitting the head on areas like the propeller or side of the boat. In most cases, these injuries can be life-changing.

Other kinds of marine injuries include mechanical problems, such as electrical or engine failure, steering problems, and gear shift issues. Our NYC boating accident attorneys will analyze these cases to determine whether the manufacturer can be accountable for the injuries suffered by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

While it is important to seek medical attention for Vimeo injuries immediately following a boat accident, you should not offer a statement to an insurance adjuster or another party without consulting a lawyer. A lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure that you get the compensation you are entitled to for the damages you have suffered.

The legal procedure to seek compensation after a boat accident is to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the person or parties who are accountable. This usually involves the presentation of evidence to back a claim for economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages may include medical costs and other expenses that result from the accident, including loss of income due to missing work. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering and other intangible losses that may be harder to quantify.

In some cases a boat manufacturer or parts of the boat can be held accountable for causing an accident if their product was created or manufactured in a defective manner. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer can determine if a product's liability is involved and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In certain situations the boat owner may not be held liable for the outcome of a collision. Owners of vessels can be held accountable, particularly when they are responsible for hiring and training the person operating their vessel or in the event that a person who isn't fit to operate a vessel is allowed to use their property.