Boat Accident Compensation

While injuries from boat accidents could be severe claims for compensation can help victims deal with their financial losses. These losses include medical costs, lost income, as well as the potential loss of earning capability.

In the event of an accident on the water, victims should take notes of the incident and collect information as soon as they can. This will assist an New York boat accident lawyer determine the parties responsible and how much compensation is due.

Liability

Anyone who has been injured in a boat accident are usually keen to hold the responsible party accountable. This usually involves filing a personal injury lawsuit against the person who was at fault. A skilled attorney can determine who is accountable for the injuries and accident.

It is possible that both big corporations and private individuals could be held accountable for an incident on a vessel in the event of an accident, based on the circumstances. A lot of boat accidents are caused by negligence of the owner or operator. In certain cases, a manufacturer or company could be held liable for defective equipment that causes an accident. In certain cases, a government agency may be held accountable.

The first step in determining the extent of liability is to determine the circumstances that led to a boat accident. Was it because of inadequate maintenance on a boat? Was the weather bad at the time? Did the boat's owner appear to be under the influence of alcohol? Injuries from a boating accident may include neck and back injuries brain injuries, fractured bones, burns and paralysis.

An experienced boat accident lawyer can assist injured victims in recovering damages for past and future medical expenses loss of wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. While money cannot replace the loss of a loved one, it can assist families and the victims to manage the financial burdens of serious injuries.

Damages

Injured captains, crew and passengers who suffer injuries in a boating accident may recover compensation for their injuries. This can include past and future medical bills along with property damage and lost wages, as well as pain and suffering.

The first step to pursue damages is to prove negligence. In boat accidents, negligence can be defined as a breach of a legal obligation, such as failing to warn boat passengers of danger zones or driving recklessly or negligently. The second element of a claim is the causation. The actions of the negligent party directly caused the injury. The third aspect is the actual harm sustained by the victim which could be both financial and non-financial such as loss of enjoyment of life or a loss of consortium.

Boating accidents can result in injuries ranging from minor bumps, to spinal cord injuries and even traumatic brain injuries. There is also the possibility of death. It is therefore important that patients seek medical attention as soon as they can. They should also record all the information they can about the incident by taking pictures using their smartphones and keeping a journal of information and contacting witnesses.

An attorney can determine which parties are liable in a boating collision and the amount of compensation a victim deserves. This typically requires a thorough investigation which will involve gathering and analyzing important documents such as accident reports, medical records, proof of future and current medical bills, employment records and calculation of lost income.

Waivers

A victim of a boating accident can get compensation for the damages such as medical expenses, future and boat accident lawyer past lost income damages to property, the loss of pain and suffering, and loss of consortium. These damages can be quantified using the Florida statutes on limitations. These deadlines are set to determine how long one is required to file a claim in the event of personal injury.

Before participating in a wide range of recreational activities, patrons are typically required to sign liability waivers. These contracts are designed to relieve the service provider from responsibility in the event of an injury. A waiver is valid and legally enforced depending on the circumstances.

However, when the waiver is written with the intention of protecting the business or company in lieu of its patrons the waiver could be deemed unenforceable. In general courts, they do not allow businesses to redefine the boundaries of their duty to take care in this way. This is especially true when the negligence involves an act of gross negligence that cannot be covered by an overall waiver.

A boating accident may occur for any number of reasons such as operator negligence or lack of experience or speeding, alcohol consumption or machinery malfunction, the force of a wake or wave and boat accident lawyer the dangers of the water. If you have been injured in a boating accident, contact an St. Petersburg boat accident lawyer from Salter, Healy, Rivera & Heptner to go over the details of your case and determine how your claim might be worth.

Insurance

There are many kinds of insurance coverages that can assist victims of boat accidents with their losses. For example, motor vehicle insurance does not usually cover boating accidents, however, homeowners policies will occasionally include insurance for watercrafts and boats. Boat owners may purchase additional insurance coverage to their policies, like personal effects (which will cover legal costs to repair damaged belongings on or off the boat or in dockboxes), and medical payments. Certain policies provide assistance with towing and towing, whereas others provide additional options such as hurricane haul-out coverage to reimburse the boat owner for moving it out of the way of an approaching storm.

A boating accident triggered by negligence could be a basis for an action for financial compensation. An attorney can determine who is to blame and file a lawsuit against them to collect damages.

If you've been injured as a result of an accident on the boat, contact an experienced attorney immediately. A New York injury attorney can examine your policy and determine all possibilities for recovery. They will also make sure you receive the amount of compensation you are entitled to. A knowledgeable attorney can also help you avoid being misled about your coverage by others or insurance companies.