Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an enjoyable and exciting activity to enjoy, but it can be risky. If a negligent decision leads to an accident, the victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for the injuries and losses.

A NYC boat accident lawyer will assist victims of injuries to claim the full amount of damages they deserve. A claim may include past medical expenses, along with other economic damages.

Damages

Many people think of bodies of water as if they were the Wild West, there are laws that govern the vessels on lakes, rivers, and oceans in the United States. boat accident lawsuit accidents may be governed by a variety of federal and state laws that are considered in determining whether negligence occurred. For instance, if a boat operator was drunk, it could lead to civil litigation for boat accident negligence. There are also federal laws that address pollution and deaths at sea. In addition, there are specific maritime laws, like the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families a pathway to compensation that is similar to workers who receive compensation in other industries.

If a loved one died in a fatal boat accident, the family can sue for damages, including loss of companionship and funeral expenses. They can also sue for pain and suffering. Families can get money to pay for medical expenses from the past and any future treatment.

If a boating accident resulted in injuries to you or your loved ones and loved ones, a New York City boat accident attorney can assist you in determining the type of damages you could be entitled to claim. A personal injury lawyer can review your insurance coverage as well as the responsible party's policies on boat liability to determine what compensation you may be entitled to receive in a settlement or a verdict. A knowledgeable lawyer can determine if there are any additional parties who could be responsible for the accident such as the manufacturer of the defective boat or component.

Liability

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

Boating accidents can involve a variety of parties who could be held responsible for the crash. This includes the boat operator, passengers who were aboard at the time of accident as well as the other watercraft or boats involved, the makers of boats as well as their parts, engines, and government agencies that set up buoys to alert people of dangers. A personal injury lawyer can be familiar with the specifics of state law as well as federal maritime laws to determine who can be liable in a collision.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a vessel who suffers an injury on the sea has rights to a compensation equal to that of workers' compensation beneficiaries. Similar to that, sailors injured in international waters, or outer continental shelf water are able to submit claims under the Jones Act as well as other federal maritime regulations. The families of injured maritime workers and the families of sailors who have died have claims under state worker insurance laws.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence collected during the early stages of the legal process will help determine the strength and validity of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident can help establish liability and establish what caused the boating collision. It's also important to obtain evidence from eyewitnesses, since they can provide evidence that supports your claims.

Medical records are critical for in determining the extent of your injuries and the related damages. The records should include thorough reports of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments and the associated costs them. Additionally, you should keep track of any changes in your income and employment and any other losses that are not financial in nature.

Injuries to the spinal cord and brain are common in boat accidents. These injuries can result from oxygen deprivation carbon monoxide poisoning, blunt force trauma from hitting the head on places like the propeller or side of the boat. These injuries can cause life-changing impact.

Other types of maritime injuries involve mechanical failure for example, engine or electrical failure, steering system malfunction and gear shift issues. Our NYC boating accident attorneys will examine these cases to determine whether the manufacturer can be held accountable for the injuries sustained by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

While it is important to seek medical attention for injuries as soon as you can following a boat accident however, you shouldn't make a statement to an insurance adjuster or other party without consulting a lawyer. Your lawyer can help protect your rights, ensuring that you receive the proper compensation for any damages.

The legal process for seeking compensation for a boating accident is to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the person or parties who are accountable. It is standard to provide evidence in support of claims for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to the cost of medical treatment and other expenses arising from the accident, like lost earnings due to missed work. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering and other intangible damages that may be harder to quantify.

In some cases the manufacturer of a vessel or one of its components could be held accountable for an accident in the event of a product that was defectively 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 instances it's not just the operator of a plum boat accident attorney who may be held liable for an accident. The owner of the vessel is liable too, particularly when they are responsible for hiring or training the person who operates their vessel, or allow a person who isn't fit to operate the vessel on their premises.