Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an exciting and enjoyable recreational activity however, it can also be dangerous. If negligence causes an accident, the victims and their families could be entitled to compensation for injuries and loss.

A NYC lawyer who handles boat accidents can help injured victims get the amount they deserved. A claim includes an obligation to pay for medical expenses as well as other economic damages.

Damages

Many people think of bodies of water as if they were the Wild West, there are laws that govern boats on rivers, lakes and oceans throughout the United States. Boat accidents can involve multiple federal and state laws which are weighed in determining if negligence occurred. If a boater is drunk, they could be sued for negligence. There are federal laws that deal with pollution and deaths on the sea. There are maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with a similar compensation options to other industries.

If a loved one was killed in a boat accident, the family can sue them on behalf of damages, including funeral expenses, lost companionship as well as pain and loss. Families can get money to pay for medical expenses from the past and future medical treatment.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you to determine if you or your loved ones were injured in an accident on the water. A personal injury attorney can review your insurance policy and the policies on boat liability of the responsible party to determine the amount of compensation you could be entitled to receive as part of an agreement or jury verdict. A lawyer with experience will also be able to determine if there are any other parties that could be responsible, for instance the manufacturer or part of the boat that was defective.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters seek damages to recover medical expenses (past and anticipated) and lost income because of time lost from work or pain and suffering emotional trauma, and damage to their boats. Most serious injuries involve neck and back injuries, brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis and organ damage.

Boating accidents usually involve multiple people who could bear legal liability for a accident, including the vessel's operator, any passengers aboard at the time of the crash as well as other watercraft and boats involved in the collision, manufacturers of the boats and their components or engines, and even government agencies responsible for placing buoys to warn of dangerous conditions. A personal injury attorney will be familiar with both state and federal maritime laws in order to determine who is responsible in the event of an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a vessel who suffers an injury at sea is entitled to compensation that are similar to those of workers' compensation beneficiaries. Similar to this, sailors who are injured in international waters or the outer continental shelf waters can submit claims under the Jones Act as well as other maritime regulations of the federal government. Workers' compensation laws of the state laws also apply to maritime workers who have been injured and families of deceased sailors.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence you gather in the beginning stages of the legal process could help you determine the strength of your case. For instance, taking pictures of the scene of the accident could be useful in determining the extent of the extent of liability and what caused the boating crash. It is also essential to collect information from eyewitnesses, as they can provide evidence that can support your claims.

Medical records are vital for understanding the severity of your injuries and the damage that resulted from it. These records should include thorough accounts of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, as well as the costs associated with these. It is also necessary to keep track of any changes in your income or employment and other losses that are not financial in nature.

Spinal cord and brain injuries are common in boating accidents. Injuries in this category may be caused by oxygen deficiency, carbon monoxide poisoning or blunt force trauma that results from hitting the head against areas like the propeller or sides of the boat. Often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other kinds of marine injuries are caused by mechanical failures, such as engine failure or electrical failure or steering issues, as well as gear shift issues. In these cases, our NYC boating accident lawyers will investigate to determine if the manufacturer should be held accountable for injuries sustained by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

It is crucial to seek medical attention for injuries immediately following a boating accident and you should not make a statement to an insurance adjuster or other party without first consulting a lawyer. A lawyer can defend your rights and ensure you get the money you deserve for damages.

The legal process for seeking compensation after a alma boat accident lawyer accident is to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the party or parties that are accountable. It is common to present evidence to support the claim, which includes both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to the cost of medical treatment as well as other costs associated with the accident, including lost earnings due to missed work. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering, and other intangible losses that are difficult to quantify.

In certain cases, the manufacturer of a vessel or one of its components could be held responsible for an accident if their product was defectively constructed or designed. A New York boating accident lawyer can investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In certain instances the boat's operator might not be held accountable for a collision. The owner of a vessel may be held responsible also, particularly when they are accountable for hiring or training the person who operates their vessel or allow a person who is unfit to operate a boat on their property.