boat accident law firm Accident Litigation

Boating is an enjoyable and exciting activity to enjoy, but it can be dangerous. If a negligent decision leads to an accident, the victim and their families could be entitled to financial compensation for injuries and losses.

A NYC boat accident lawyer will assist victims of injuries to claim the full amount of damages they deserve. A claim can be an obligation to pay for medical expenses as well as other financial damages.

Damages

Although many people think of bodies of water with the Wild West in the United States, there are laws that govern boats on lakes and rivers as well as oceans. Boat accidents may be a result of several federal and state laws which are considered when determining the degree of negligence. If a boater is drunk, they may be sued for negligence. There are federal laws that deal with pollution and deaths on the sea. There are maritime regulations, like the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with a similar compensation to other industries.

If a loved one died in a tragic boat accident, the family may sue for damages, including lost companionship and funeral costs. They can also sue for pain and suffering. Families can collect money to cover medical bills from the past as well as future treatment.

If a boat accident caused injuries to you or your loved ones, a New York City boat accident attorney can assist you in determining what damages you might be entitled to claim. A personal injury lawyer can review your insurance policy and the policies regarding liability for boats of the responsible party to determine what compensation you may be eligible to receive as part of the settlement or verdict of a jury. Additionally, a knowledgeable lawyer can determine if there are any other parties who may be accountable for lawsuit the accident, such as the manufacturer of a defective boat or boat part.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters seek damages to cover medical expenses (past and expected) as well as lost income due to time missed from work as well as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damages to their boats. Injuries that are serious include back and neck injuries and brain traumas, as well as broken bones and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve a variety of parties who could be held accountable for the accident. These include the operator of the boat, any passengers on board at the time of the collision as well as other watercraft or boats involved, boat manufacturers and their components, engines, and government agencies that put up buoys to warn people about dangerous conditions. A personal injury attorney is well-versed in both state and federal maritime laws in order to determine who is liable for an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a vessel who suffers an injury on the sea has rights to compensation similar to those of workers' compensation beneficiaries. Similar, sailors injured in international waters or lawsuit the outer continental shelf waters are entitled to file claims under the Jones Act as well as other federal maritime regulations. The families of injured maritime workers and the families of deceased sailors also have claims under state workers insurance laws.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence gathered in the initial stages of the legal process will aid in determining the strength and viability of your case. For instance, taking photographs of the scene of the accident could be useful in determining the degree of liability as well as establishing how the boating collision happened. It is also crucial to get details from eyewitnesses as they can provide evidence that supports your claims.

Medical records are essential for understanding the severity of your injuries and the damage they cause. The records should contain thorough reports of doctor and hospital visits, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments, and the cost associated with these. You'll need to document any changes to your income and job capacity, as well with any other non-financial losses.

The spinal 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 strikes the propeller of the boat. These injuries can cause life-changing effect.

Other forms of marine injuries involve mechanical failure for example, engine or electrical failure, steering system malfunction and gear shift issues. Our NYC boating accident attorneys will look into 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 after an accident with a boat. However, you should consult a lawyer before giving a statement to the insurance adjuster or another party. A lawyer can defend your rights and ensure you get the compensation you are entitled to for the damages you have suffered.

In order to obtain compensation after a boating accident and you need to file an insurance claim, or a lawsuit against the party(ies) responsible. This typically involves presenting evidence to support a claim for financial as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages are those incurred as a result of medical treatment as well as other expenses related to the accident, like the loss of income resulting from missing work. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering, and other types of intangible loss that may be difficult to quantify.

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

In some instances the boat's owner might not be held accountable for a collision. The owner of the vessel can be held liable also, particularly when they are responsible for hiring or training the person operating their vessel or allow someone who isn't fit to operate the boat on their property.