Boat Accident Attorneys

If you've been injured as a result of a boating accident that wasn't your fault, you could be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. These expenses could include physical therapy, medical bills, and loss of income due to inability to work.

Certain victims could also be eligible for Boat Accidents punitive damages if the defendant's conduct was inexplicably reckless. These types of awards are intended to punish the defendant and deter similar actions in the future.

Personal Injury

Although boating accidents may cause serious injuries, many of them are preventable. Untrained and inexperienced boaters are the main cause of boat accidents along with other reckless choices like operating under the influence of alcohol, bringing too many passengers, or reckless behavior. The severity of injuries can vary from lacerations and bruising to permanent paralysis from injuries to the head or spinal cord.

Victims of a boating accident are entitled to compensation for their medical bills and loss of earnings or work during their recovery from injuries. They also have the right to recover cost of long-term treatment in the event that their injuries are irreparable. Insurance companies often try and settle for less money than the victims deserve when estimating a claim's value. A skilled attorney can help you to fight for the most lucrative settlement you can get.

A New York City boating accident lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident in order to collect all relevant evidence. This includes gathering important documents, like police reports and witness statements along with logs of vessel maintenance, chemical tests and photographs of the accident scene and property damage. Other crucial information can be obtained from medical records, including detailed descriptions of the injuries sustained, expenses incurred, and estimated future costs. The lawyer can then negotiate an acceptable settlement with the person at fault and/or insurance company.

Maritime Workers' Compensation

Maritime workers on supply ships, workboats and other vessels are often exposed to hazardous conditions during the course of their job. They are at risk of being injured not only by falling equipment or cargo and cargo, but also due to boat accidents caused by the negligence or recklessness of others on the vessel.

Seamen are entitled to certain rights under the Jones Act and other federal laws that safeguard them from employer negligence. If they suffer injuries due to these incidents, they are entitled to full damages under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA). These damages can include medical expenses as well as lost income, the cost of living while recovering as well as pain and suffering and other monetary benefits.

Often, seamen who are injured while on a supply ship tugboat, dredger or tugboat barge, oil tanker or cruise or sightseeing boat require more than workers' compensation to cover their losses. A knowledgeable New York boat accident law firms accident lawyer can help identify other third party claims that a seaman may be able to claim compensation, such as allegations of unreliability and the employer's inability to maintain an appropriate vessel.

Your attorney will collect crucial documents and evidence regarding your claim, such as medical records, insurance policy information or police reports, among others. They will then negotiate an agreement with the attorney representing the defendant as well as an insurance company in your name. If an acceptable settlement cannot be reached, they will draft a compelling case for trial on your behalf.

Product Defects

While most boat accidents occur because of negligent or reckless behavior on the part of the boat's operator, there are also many instances when a crash actually the result of defective equipment. In these instances, the victims may sue the company who made the defective product in order to recover compensation. A Reston, VA, product defect lawyer can assist in these instances.

Defective equipment and boats can be covered under strict liability, negligence, or warranty law. A warranty claim can be caused by a breach of implied or express warranties that are created by law, like the New Jersey used car lemon laws, or the warranties of quality and fit and finish under the Uniform Commercial Code.

Insurance policies typically cover hidden defects, too. Although some consumers might claim that a problem is evident or obvious but courts typically require expert testimony from a surveyor or another certified professional to determine if the issue was caused by a mechanical malfunction or was caused by an unnoticed issue.

Certain defects are discovered after a boat is sold. These defects are typically considered manufacturing defects and the manufacturer is responsible for these. Other defects are discovered after the boat accident lawsuit has been operated and owned and may be the responsibility of the owner. One instance is when the owner fails to emptying of the engine's water and the water gets frozen and affects the motor in winter.

Insurance

In a state like New York with easy access to the Atlantic Ocean and numerous lakes, boating and similar water recreational activities are commonplace for residents. But, as with all recreation activities, they come with certain risks and liabilities that can have a negative impact on the lives of participants.

Injured individuals can file a personal injury claim or wrongful-death suit to seek compensation. Medical expenses as well as lost income, property losses, as well as suffering and Boat accidents pain are all considered damages. In cases of gross negligence, the victims can also seek punitive damages.

Insurance companies aren't always easy to work with in a boating dispute particularly when their main goal is to pay the least amount possible. Choose an NYC lawyer for a boating accident who will work closely with insurance companies to hold all parties responsible for their actions.

A seasoned attorney will look over all evidence available, including police reports and medical records. They will also look into witness testimony. They will then enter into negotiations with both the at fault person and their insurance company in order to reach a fair settlement. If they are not able to reach an agreement on a settlement, our attorneys will prepare the case for trial. We are experienced in providing evidence to support your claim and securing highest amount of financial compensation.