Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is an enjoyable and exciting recreational activity that can be dangerous. If a negligent decision leads to an accident, the victim and their families may be entitled to compensation for the injuries and losses.

A NYC boat accident lawyer can assist injured victims in obtaining the amount of damages they deserve. A claim can include past medical expenses, along with other economic damages.

Damages

While many people associate bodies of water with the Wild West in the United States, there are laws that govern the boats on lakes and rivers as well as oceans. Boat accidents can trigger various federal and state laws which are considered when determining the degree of negligence. For instance, if the fircrest boat accident lawyer operator was drunk, this could be a cause for civil lawsuits for negligence. There are also federal laws that deal with pollution and deaths at sea. Furthermore, there are specific maritime regulations such as the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families access for compensation similar to workers who receive compensation in other industries.

If a loved one has been killed in a boat accident, family members can bring a lawsuit on their behalf to recover damages including lost companionship, funeral expenses as well as pain and loss. Families can recover money to cover past medical costs and future treatment.

If a boat accident resulted in injuries to you or your loved ones If you or your loved ones were injured, a New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine what type of damages you could be entitled to claim. A personal injury attorney can look over your insurance policy and the policies governing boat liability of the responsible party to determine what amount of compensation you could be entitled to receive as part of an agreement or jury verdict. An experienced lawyer can also determine if other parties that could be liable, such as the manufacturer or part of the boat that was faulty.

Liability

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

Boating accidents often involve multiple parties that could potentially bear legal responsibility for the crash, including the boat's operator, any passengers on board at the time of the crash, other boats and watercraft involved in the collision, the makers of the boats as well as their parts or engines and even authorities responsible for putting buoys to warn of dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer will be aware of the specifics of both state law and federal maritime laws to determine who can be responsible in a collision.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a vessel who is injured at sea is entitled to compensation that are similar to those of workers' compensation beneficiaries. Additionally, sailors injured in international waters or in outer continental shelf waters have the right to claim compensation under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. Workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers who have been injured and families of sailors who have died.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence you gather in the beginning stages of the legal process could help you determine the strength of your case. Photographing the accident scene will help determine the liability and establish the circumstances of the boating accident. Eyewitnesses may also provide valuable information that will aid in proving your claim.

Medical records are essential to establishing the extent of your injuries and the related damages. These records should include thorough reports of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments, and the costs associated with these. You should document any changes in your income or job capacity, as well in any other losses that are not financial.

plymouth boat accident lawsuit accidents are often caused by brain and spinal cord injuries. Injuries in this category may be caused by oxygen deprivation carbon monoxide poisoning, or blunt force trauma caused by hitting the head against areas such as the propeller or the side of the boat. Most often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other types of marine injuries include mechanical issues, for example electrical or engine failure, steering problems, and gear shift issues. In these instances, our NYC boating accident lawyers will determine if the manufacturer should be held accountable for injuries sustained by victims of accidents.

Filing a Claim

While it is vital to seek medical attention for injuries immediately following a boating accident, you should not offer an account to an insurance adjuster, or another party without first consulting with a lawyer. A lawyer can defend your rights and ensure you get the compensation you are entitled to for lawsuits the damages you have suffered.

The legal process for seeking compensation following a boat accident is to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the party or parties that are responsible. This usually includes presenting evidence to support a claim for financial and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are the cost of medical treatment and other expenses arising from the accident, including lost earnings due to missed work. Noneconomic damages are those that result from pain and suffering and other intangible losses that are more difficult to quantify.

In certain instances the boat manufacturer or an element of the boat may be held accountable for causing an accident if their product was designed or manufactured in a defective manner. A New York boating accident lawyer will investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In certain instances, it is not just the operator of a boat who is liable for a crash. The owner of a vessel may be held responsible in addition, especially if they are responsible for hiring or training the person who is operating their vessel or permit someone who is unfit to operate the vessel on their premises.