Boat Accident Litigation

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

A NYC boat accident lawyer will assist victims of injuries to claim the full amount of damages they are entitled to. The claim may cover past medical expenses and other economic damages.

Damages

While many people think of bodies of water like the Wild West, there are laws that govern the boats on rivers, lakes, and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can trigger various laws, both state and federal, that are considered when determining negligence. For instance, if the boat operator was drunk, this could make them vulnerable to civil litigation for negligence. There are federal laws that address 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 fatal boat crash family members can sue for damages, including lost companionship and funeral costs. They may also sue for suffering and pain. Families can also seek reimbursement for past medical bills as well as future medical expenses.

If a boat accident resulted in injuries to you or your loved ones, a New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you in determining the type of damages you are entitled to claim. An attorney for personal injury can review your insurance policy and the boat liability policies of the responsible party to determine what compensation you may be eligible to receive as part of the settlement or verdict of a jury. An experienced lawyer will also be able to determine if there are any other parties that could be responsible, for instance the manufacturer, or even a part of the boat that was faulty.

Liability

In general, injured boaters seek damages to recover medical costs (past and future) as well as lost income resulting from time away from work emotional trauma, and suffering and pain. Serious injuries include back and neck injuries as well as brain traumas, fractured bones and boat accident lawyer internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve many parties who could be held accountable for the accident. This includes the operator of the boat, any passengers on board at the time of the accident as well as other watercraft or boats involved, the makers of boats and their parts, motors and government agencies who place buoys to alert people of dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer is aware of the specifics of both state law and federal maritime laws to determine who could be responsible in a collision.

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

Gathering Evidence

The evidence you gather during the initial stages of the legal process could aid in determining the strength of your case. For instance, taking pictures of the scene of the accident can be useful in determining the degree of responsibility as well as establishing how the boating collision happened. It's also important to obtain information from eyewitnesses, as they can offer valuable evidence to support your claims.

Medical records are crucial for establishing the extent of your injuries as well as the injuries that result from them. These records should include detailed accounts of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, as well as the costs associated with these. Additionally, you should keep track of any changes in your income and employment along with other non-financial losses.

Boat accidents are often linked to spinal cord injuries. These injuries can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation, or blunt force trauma when the head hits the propeller of the boat. These injuries can cause life-changing impact.

Other forms of marine injury include mechanical failures for example, electrical or engine problems in the steering system, as well as gear shift problems. In these instances, our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will determine if the manufacturer should be held accountable for the injuries sustained by accident victims.

Filing a Claim

While it is important 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 other party without first consulting with a lawyer. A lawyer can defend your rights and ensure you get the compensation you need for your losses.

In order to claim 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 economic as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses and other expenses caused by the accident, which includes the loss of income resulting from missing work. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, as well as other losses that are more difficult to quantify.

In certain cases a boat manufacturer or a component of the vessel can be held responsible for an accident if their product was designed or manufactured in a way that was defective. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer will determine if product responsibility is involved and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In some instances the boat accident lawyers's operator might not be held accountable for an accident. The owners of boats can also be held accountable, particularly if the owner is responsible for the hiring and training of the person operating their vessel or when a person not qualified to operate a craft is allowed on their property.