How a Boat Accident Lawyer Can Help You File a Claim

If you've been injured on water or in a marina, a New York boat accident lawyer can assist you in filing an insurance claim. They will offer advice on the strength of your claim and negotiate with insurance companies.

Most boat accident lawsuits involve negligence. If your lawyer can prove that there was a breach of duty, causation and damages, you could receive compensation.

Damages

Boating accidents can result in serious injuries, just like any other kind of accident. The types of injuries that can occur include drowning in the water, oxygen deprivation injuries brain trauma and fractured bones. A good lawyer can help you obtain the amount of compensation you are entitled to for these damages.

Like car accidents the case of a boating injury is dependent on proving the negligence of responsible party. A lawyer can conduct an exhaustive investigation and take photos of the scene and your injuries to establish the responsibility. They can also assist you in locating medical records and other evidence to support your claim. They can also help understand comparative negligence laws in the event they apply to your particular situation.

Victims could be entitled both economic and non-economic damages for their boating accident injuries. Economic damages are ones that are more easily verified, such as the future and past medical costs for your injury. This could include the loss of income as a result of your injury, as well as any changes in your future capacity to work. Noneconomic damages may be subjective and could include pain and discomfort, inconvenience and loss of enjoyment life, emotional distress and many more. A lawyer can help you determine the value of your damages and make an insurance claim or lawsuit against the people responsible for your injuries. They also handle cases involving government bodies, such as the Coast Guard or police.

Insurance

The financial burden can quickly grow when someone is injured in an accident with a boat. Medical bills can run to thousands of dollars and, in the event of surgery, the cost could be more expensive.

A personal injury lawyer can help injured people recover the compensation they need. He or she can investigate the root of a boating incident as well as file the necessary paperwork and work with insurance companies to get the maximum possible compensation.

Additionally, a boat accident lawyer can determine who is accountable and how much insurance coverage they have. Not all boat owners and operators carry liability insurance to protect against injuries. People who lease or borrow boats should check their own homeowners' and boating insurance policies to determine the amount of protection they have.

Reporting boat accidents to authorities is vital. A police report is a valid document that can be used to prove negligence as well as other elements in the case of a claim for damages. Also, it's recommended to speak with witnesses to get their accounts. It is also helpful to obtain the names, contact numbers and insurance policy numbers for everyone involved in the accident, particularly the operators of the boats.

Liability

You could be entitled to reimbursement of past and future medical expenses if you are a victim of a boating incident. This includes hospital bills, emergency room services, doctor's appointments, therapy sessions and the costs of medication. Your NYC boat accident lawyer will investigate these expenses and will ensure that the totality of your losses are reflected in your compensation payout.

The majority of injuries in boat accidents are caused by careless or reckless actions by the owner of the boat or the operator. Some injuries are exacerbated by the failure to have the safety equipment required like life jackets, fire extinguishers and navigational lights. An action can be brought against a manufacturer of a defective boat or a component of the boat, such as a water ski.

If you were injured on an commercial vessel then you could be able to make a Jones Act claim. A knowledgeable New York boat accident lawyer will review the specifics of your situation and provide you with more information regarding this particular law. Your lawyer will also take the lead in negotiations with the parties responsible, their lawyers and insurance companies on your behalf. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your lawyer will prepare for trial in order to achieve justice on your behalf.

Time Limits

There are a variety of laws that govern boating and other watercrafts. These laws cover driving, passing and ceding the right-of-way among others. These regulations also require that boaters remain in a safe place, refrain from overloading or overpowering their vessels, and discourage risky behaviors such as weaving into traffic or hopping into the wake. Unintentional actions by a boater or a third party involved in a boating accident can lead to serious injuries and even wrongful deaths.

A qualified boat accident lawyer will guide you through the legal process, determine the strengths of your case and defend your rights. They can also assist you seek financial compensation for your losses by providing medical documents and other evidence to back your claim.

Since a boat accident case is one that is adjudicated under maritime law, as well as state personal injury law, it can take longer to settle than a car accident claim. This is because a lawyer must gather eyewitness testimony, police reports, and other documents before negotiations can begin. Negotiations in the pre-litigation phase can last anywhere between a few weeks to six months, based on the nature of the case. If you are an employee of a commercial fisherman, cruise or sightseeing ship or other kind of worker who is on boats as part of their job, you may be entitled to workers' compensation under maritime law. A NY boat accident lawyer can assist with these claims, as well.