boat accident attorney - Click On this page - Accident Litigation

Boating is an enjoyable and thrilling recreational activity that could be dangerous. If negligence causes an accident the victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for injuries and loss.

A NYC lawyer who handles boat accidents can help injured victims get the compensation they deserve. A claim can include past medical expenses as well as other economic damages.

Damages

While many people imagine bodies of water similar to the Wild West, there are laws that govern the boats on rivers, lakes, and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents may be governed by a variety of federal and state laws that are considered to determine if negligence was the cause. For instance, if the boat operator was drunk, this could make them vulnerable to civil lawsuits based on negligence. There are also federal laws that deal with death and pollution at sea. There are maritime regulations, boat accident attorney such as the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with a similar compensation pathways to other industries.

If a loved one died in a fatal boat crash family members could sue for damages including lost companionship and funeral expenses. They can also sue for suffering and pain. Families can recover money to cover past medical costs and future medical treatment.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you to determine whether you or your loved one was injured during a boating accident. A personal injury lawyer can examine your insurance policy as well as the policies governing boat liability of the responsible party to determine the amount of compensation you could be entitled to receive as part of settlement or a jury verdict. Additionally, a skilled lawyer can assess whether there are any additional individuals who are liable for the accident, including the manufacturer of the boat accident lawsuit or component.

Liability

In general, injured boaters seek compensation to cover medical expenses (past and future) and lost income due to working absences emotional trauma, and pain and suffering. The most serious injuries are back and neck injury, brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis, boat accident attorney and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents typically involve multiple people who could bear legal responsibility for a accident, including the vessel's operator, any other passengers who were aboard at the time of the crash as well as other watercraft and boats involved in the collision, as well as the manufacturers of the boats as well as their parts or engines, and even the government agencies that are responsible for putting up buoys to warn of hazardous conditions. A personal injury lawyer will be aware of the details of both state law and federal maritime laws to determine who may be liable in a collision.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a boat who suffers an injury at sea is entitled to a compensation equal to that of workers' compensation recipients. Additionally, sailors injured in international waters or in the outer continental shelf waters are entitled to claim compensation under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. Workers' compensation laws also apply to injured maritime workers as well as the families of sailors who have passed away.

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 can help determine liability and reveal how the boating collision happened. Eyewitnesses also can provide crucial information that can back your claim.

Medical records are essential to in determining the extent of your injuries and the associated damages. These records should include thorough accounts of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, and the costs associated with these. You'll need to record the changes in your income and employment capacity, as in any other losses that are not financial.

Boat accidents are typically related to brain and spinal cord injuries. These types of injuries could result from oxygen deficiency, carbon monoxide poisoning or blunt force trauma that results from hitting the head on places such as the propeller or the side of the boat. These injuries could have a life-changing impact.

Other forms of marine injuries result from mechanical issues that can result from engine or electrical failure in the steering system, as well as gear shift problems. Our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will analyze these cases to determine whether the manufacturer is held responsible for the injuries sustained by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

You should seek medical attention immediately following an accident with a boat. However, you should consult with a lawyer prior to giving a statement to the insurance adjuster or another party. Your lawyer will protect your rights and ensure that you receive the compensation that 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 person or parties who are accountable. It is standard to provide evidence to support claims for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those incurred as a result of medical treatment and other expenses arising from the accident, including the loss of income resulting from missing work. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering and other intangible damages that may be harder to quantify.

In certain cases the maker of a vessel or one of its components could be held responsible for an accident when their product was not properly designed or manufactured. A New York boating accident lawyer may investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In some cases it's not only the boat's operator who is liable for a crash. The owners of boats can also be held accountable, especially when the owner is responsible for the hiring and training of the person operating their vessel or in the event that a person who isn't fit to operate a boat is allowed to use their property.