Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is a fun and thrilling activity for the whole family, but it can be dangerous. If negligence causes an accident the victims and their families could be entitled to compensation for injuries and loss.

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

Damages

While many people imagine bodies of water like the Wild West, there are laws that govern boats that are moored on lakes, rivers, and oceans in the United States. Boat Accidents (Http://Artrecord.Kr/) can trigger multiple federal and state laws that are considered to determine if negligence was the cause. If a boat driver is drunk, they could be liable for negligence. Federal laws also address death and pollution at sea. Additionally, there are specific maritime laws, like the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families a pathway to compensation that is comparable to workers compensated in other industries.

If a loved one has been killed in a boating accident, the family can sue them on behalf of damages such as funeral expenses, lost companionship, and pain and suffering. Families may also seek compensation for past medical bills as well as future treatment costs.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you to determine whether you or your loved one was injured during a boat accident. A personal injury attorney can review your insurance policy and the policies regarding liability for boats of the responsible party to determine the compensation you may be eligible to receive as part of settlement or a jury verdict. An experienced lawyer can also assess if there are other parties who may be liable, such as the manufacturer, or even a part of the boat that was faulty.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters seek damages to cover medical expenses (past and expected) as well as lost income because of time lost from work, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damages to their boats. Injuries that are serious typically involve neck and back injuries or brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis, and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents usually involve multiple parties who could have legal responsibility for a crash, including the boat's operator, passengers who were onboard at the time of the accident as well as other watercraft and boats involved in the collision, the makers of the boats and their components or engines, and even authorities responsible for putting buoys to warn of dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer will be aware of the rules and regulations of state law as well as federal maritime laws to determine who can be responsible in a collision.

Under the Jones Act a worker on the vessel that is injured at sea has the same rights as workers compensation beneficiaries. In the same way, sailors injured in international waters or in outer continental shelf waters are entitled to claim compensation under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. State workers' compensation laws also apply to injured maritime workers and the families of deceased sailors.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence gathered during the initial stages of the legal process can help you determine the strength of your case. Photographing the accident scene can help establish liability and establish how the boating collision happened. Eyewitnesses may also provide crucial information that can aid in proving your claim.

Medical records are vital for understanding the severity of your injuries as well as the damage that resulted from it. These records should include detailed details of doctor and hospital visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, and the cost associated with these. You should document any changes to your income and employment capacity, as as any other non-financial loss.

The spinal and brain injuries are common in boat accidents. These injuries can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma if the head is struck by the propeller of the boat. These injuries can cause life-changing effect.

Other types of marine injuries are caused by mechanical issues, like electrical or engine failure or steering issues, as well as problems with gear shifts. Our NYC boating accident attorneys will examine these cases to determine whether the manufacturer can be held responsible for the injuries sustained by accident victims.

The process of filing a claim

You should seek medical attention immediately after an incident on the boat. However, it is recommended to consult with a lawyer before submitting a statement to the insurance adjuster or another party. A lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure that you get the money you are entitled to for the damages you have suffered.

The legal process to seek compensation after a boat accident involves filing an insurance claim or lawsuit against the party or parties that are responsible. This typically includes the presentation of evidence to justify a claim of economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages can include medical expenses and other expenses incurred as a result of the accident, such as the loss of income resulting from missing work. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, and other intangible losses that are difficult to quantify.

In certain cases, the manufacturer of a boat or one of its components could be held accountable for an accident in the event that their product was defectively constructed or designed. 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 instances there are instances where it is not only the person who operates a boat that could be held accountable for an accident. Owners of vessels can also be held accountable, in particular when they are responsible for the hiring and training of the person operating their vessel or if a person unfit to operate a boat is allowed on their property.