Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be a thrilling and enjoyable leisure activity, however, it can be a danger. If negligence causes an accident, the victims and their families could be entitled to compensation for injuries and loss.

A NYC lawyer for boat accident law firms (Click To See More) accidents will assist victims of injuries to claim the full amount of damages they deserve. A claim will include the need for past medical expenses as well as other economic damages.

Damages

Although many people imagine bodies of water like 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 involve multiple federal and state laws that are taken into consideration in determining if negligence occurred. For instance, if the boat operator was drunk, this could be a cause for civil lawsuits based on negligence. There are federal laws that deal with death and pollution at sea. There are maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with a similar compensation to other industries.

If a loved one has been killed in a boating accident, the family members may sue on their behalf for damages, including the loss of companionship, funeral costs and pain and suffering. Families can seek compensation to cover past medical costs and future medical treatment.

If a boating accident caused injuries to you or your loved ones, a New York City boat accident attorney can help you determine the kind of damages you might be entitled to claim. An attorney for personal injuries can look over your insurance policy and the responsible party's boat accident lawsuits liability policies to determine the amount of compensation you may be entitled to in a settlement or verdict. In addition, an experienced lawyer can assess whether there are any additional parties that may be liable for the accident, including the manufacturer of the boat or component.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters pursue damages to cover medical expenses (past and expected), lost income due to the time they miss from work, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damage to their boats. Injuries that are serious typically involve neck and back injuries and brain trauma, fractured bones, paralysis or internal organ damage.

Accidents involving boats can involve many parties who could be held responsible for the crash. This includes the operator of the boat, passengers aboard at the time of the accident as well as the other watercraft or boats involved, manufacturers of boats, their parts, engines, and government agencies that put up buoys to warn people of dangerous conditions. A personal injury attorney is well-versed in federal and state maritime laws to determine who is at fault in the event of an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a boat who is injured at sea is entitled to a compensation equal to that of workers' compensation recipients. Similar to this, sailors who are who are injured in international waters or outer continental shelf waters are able to claim compensation under the Jones Act as well as other federal maritime regulations. Workers' compensation laws of the state laws also apply to maritime workers who are injured and families of sailors who died.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence collected during the initial stages of the legal process can aid in determining the strength of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident will help determine the liability and establish what caused the boating collision. It is also crucial to get information from eyewitnesses, as they can provide valuable testimony which can back up your assertions.

Medical records are essential for establishing the extent of your injuries as well as the injuries that result from them. The records should include thorough accounts of doctor and hospital visits as well as rehabilitation procedures, surgeries as well as the expenses associated with them. You will need to document any changes to your income and employment capacity, as for any other financial loss.

Injuries to the spinal cord and brain are common in boat accidents. These injuries may be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation, or blunt force trauma that occurs when your head strikes the propeller of the boat. These injuries could have a life-changing effect.

Other forms of marine injury are caused by mechanical issues, such as electrical or engine problems or steering system malfunctions and gear shift issues. Our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will analyze these cases to determine whether the manufacturer can be held responsible for the injuries suffered by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

While it is essential to seek medical attention immediately following a boating incident and you should not make an account to an insurance adjuster or other party without first consulting a lawyer. Your attorney can protect your rights, and ensure that you receive adequate compensation for the damage.

The legal process for seeking compensation after a boat accident is to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the party or parties that are accountable. It is common to present evidence in support of claims for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses and other expenses that are incurred due to the accident, which includes lost earnings due to missed work. Non-economic damages can include pain, suffering, and any other intangible losses that are difficult to quantify.

In certain cases, the manufacturer of a boat or one of its components could be held responsible for an accident in the event of a product that was defectively constructed or designed. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer can determine whether a product responsibility is involved and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In some cases there are instances where it is not only the person who operates a boat accident lawsuits who may be held liable for an accident. The owner of a vessel can be held liable also, particularly when they are responsible for hiring or training the person who operates their vessel or allow a person who isn't fit to operate the vessel on their premises.