Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is an enjoyable and exciting recreational activity that could be dangerous. If a negligent act causes to an accident, victims and their families could be entitled to monetary compensation for injuries and losses.

A NYC lawyer for boat accidents can assist injured victims to receive the full amount they deserve. The claim may cover past medical expenses, as well as other economic damages.

Damages

Although many people imagine bodies of water as if they were the Wild West, there are laws that govern boats that are moored on lakes, rivers and oceans throughout the United States. Boat accidents can involve several federal and state laws which are considered when determining negligence. If a boat accident attorney driver is drunk, they may be liable for negligence. Federal laws also deal with death and pollution at sea. There are maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with similar compensation to other industries.

If a loved one has been killed in a tragic boat accident, the family can sue to recover damages, including loss of companionship and funeral costs. They can also sue for pain and suffering. Families can even recover money for past medical bills and future costs for treatment.

A New York City boat accident Law Firms accident lawyer can assist you in determining if you or your loved one was injured in a boat accident. A personal injury lawyer will look over your insurance policy and the boat liability policies of the responsible party to determine the amount of compensation you could be entitled to receive as part of a settlement or jury verdict. A lawyer with experience will also be able to determine if there are any other parties that could be liable, like the manufacturer or the part of the boat that was faulty.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters seek damages to cover medical expenses (past and anticipated), lost income due to the time they miss from work in pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damages to their boats. Injuries that are serious typically involve neck and back injuries as well as brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis and organ damage.

Accidents involving boats can involve many people who could be held liable for the crash. These include the operator of the boat, any passengers on board at the time of the collision and other watercrafts or boats involved, boat manufacturers and their components, engines, and government agencies that set up buoys to warn people about dangerous conditions. A personal injury attorney is well-versed in federal and state maritime laws in order to determine who is responsible for an accident.

Under the Jones Act a worker on the vessel that is injured at sea has similar rights to those of workers compensation beneficiaries. Similar to sailors injured in international waters, or outer continental shelf waters can submit claims under the Jones Act as well as other maritime regulations of the federal government. Workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers who have been injured as well as the families of sailors who have passed away.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence gathered during the early stages of the legal process can help determine the strength and legitimacy of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident will help determine the liability and reveal how the boating incident occurred. Eyewitnesses can also provide valuable information that will aid in proving your claim.

Medical records are vital for in determining the severity of your injuries as well as the damages that resulted. These records should include precise reports of hospital and doctor visitations and surgeries, rehabilitation treatments as well as the expenses associated with them. Additionally, you should document any changes in your employment and income capacity along with other losses that are not financial in nature.

Spinal cord and brain injuries are common in boat collisions. These injuries can result from carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma when the head hits the propeller of the boat. These injuries could have a life-changing impact.

Other forms of marine injuries involve mechanical failure like electrical or engine problems in the steering system, as well as gear shift problems. In these instances our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will investigate to determine if a manufacturer can be held responsible for injuries sustained by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

While it is vital to seek medical attention for injuries as soon as you can following a boat accident, you should not offer an account to an insurance adjuster, or another party without consulting a lawyer. A lawyer can safeguard your rights, ensuring that you receive adequate compensation for the damage.

In order to obtain compensation following a boating collision you must file an insurance claim, or a lawsuit against the party(ies) responsible. This typically involves the presentation of evidence to support a claim for economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are medical expenses and other expenses that result from the accident, as well as the loss of income resulting from missing work. Non-economic damages include pain, suffering, and any other intangible loss that can be difficult to quantify.

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

In some cases there are instances where it is not only the operator of a boat who may be held liable for boat accidents an accident. The owner of the vessel is liable also, particularly when they are responsible for hiring or training the person who operates their craft or if they permit a person who is not fit to operate the boat on their property.