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 and their families could be entitled to compensation for injuries and losses.

A NYC lawyer who handles boat accidents will assist victims of injuries to get the compensation they deserve. A claim can include past medical expenses, as well as other economic damages.

Damages

Many people think of waters like the Wild West, there are laws that govern the vessels on lakes, rivers and oceans throughout the United States. Boat accidents can be governed by a number of federal and state laws that are considered when determining the degree of negligence. For instance, if a sylvester boat accident lawsuit operator was drunk, this could lead to civil lawsuits for negligence. Federal laws also deal with death and pollution at sea. In addition, there are specific maritime regulations like the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families a pathway for compensation similar to workers compensated in other industries.

If a loved one was killed in a boating accident that killed them family members could sue for damages including lost companionship and funeral costs. They may also sue for pain and suffering. Families can seek compensation to pay for medical expenses from the past as well as future treatment.

If a boating accident resulted in injuries to you or your loved ones and loved ones, a New York City woodland boat accident law firm accident attorney can help you determine the kind of damages you might be entitled to claim. A personal injury lawyer can review your insurance coverage and the responsible party's boat liability policies to determine the amount of compensation you may be entitled to in a settlement or a verdict. An experienced lawyer can also determine if are other parties that could be responsible, for instance the manufacturer or the part of the boat that was faulty.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters seek damages to recover medical expenses (past and anticipated), lost income due to the time they miss from work, 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 usually involve multiple people who could bear legal liability for a collision, such as the boat's operator, other passengers aboard at the time of the accident along with other watercraft and vessels involved in the collision, manufacturers of the boats and their components or engines and even government agencies responsible for putting buoys to warn people of danger conditions. A personal injury attorney will be knowledgeable of both state and federal maritime laws to determine who is liable in the event of an accident.

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

Gathering Evidence

Evidence collected during the early stages of the legal process will help determine the strength and legitimacy of your case. For example, taking photographs of the scene of the accident can be helpful for determining who is responsible and how the boating collision occurred. Eyewitnesses also can provide important information to support your claim.

Medical records are crucial for understanding the severity of your injuries as well as the damages that resulted. They should contain detailed reports of hospital and doctor visits as well as rehabilitation procedures, surgeries and the costs associated with them. Additionally, you should document any changes in your employment and income capacity and any other losses that are not financial in nature.

Boat accidents are usually related to brain and spinal cord injuries. These injuries can result from carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma, when your head strikes the propeller of the boat. Most often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other types of marine injuries involve mechanical problems, 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 determine if a company should be held responsible for injuries suffered by victims of accidents.

How to File a Claim

It is crucial to seek medical attention for injuries as soon as you can after a boating accident however, you shouldn't make a statement to an insurance adjuster or other party without consulting a lawyer. Your lawyer can protect your rights and ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve for damages.

In order to obtain compensation after a boating accident and you need to submit an insurance claim or an action against the party(ies) responsible. This typically involves providing evidence to support a claim for financial and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses and other expenses incurred as a result of the accident, such as the loss of income resulting from missing work. Noneconomic damages include pain and suffering and other intangible damages that are difficult to quantify.

In some cases, the manufacturer of a vessel or one of its components could be held responsible for an accident if their product was defectively created or manufactured. A skilled New York boating injury lawyer will determine if product responsibility is involved and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In some cases it's not just the operator of a vessel who is liable for an accident. Boat owners can also be held accountable, especially if the owner is responsible for the hiring and training of the person who operates their vessel, or in the event that a person who isn't fit to operate a vessel is allowed to use their property.