How a Boat Accident Lawyer Can Help You File a Claim

A New York boat accident attorney can help you file an insurance claim if injured in the water or in a marina. They'll provide guidance, evaluate the potential of your case, and bargain with insurance companies.

Most boat accident lawsuits are based on negligence. If your lawyer can show that there was a breach of duty, causation or damages, you could get compensation.

Damages

Boating accidents can cause serious injuries, like any other type of accident. Drowning, oxygen deprivation, brain trauma, fractured bones, whiplash and electrocution are only a few possible injuries. A competent lawyer can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve for these injuries.

Similar to car accidents, the case of a boating injury is dependent on proving the negligence of responsible party. An attorney can conduct an exhaustive investigation and take photographs of the scene of the accident and your injuries to establish the liability. They can also assist you in locating medical records and other documentation to support your claim. They can also help learn about comparative liability laws should your situation be affected.

Boating accidents can cause both non-economic and economic damage. Economic damages are more easily measurable such as past and future medical expenses related to your injury. These can also include any loss of income caused by your injuries as well as changes to your ability to work in the future. Noneconomic damages are more subjective, and can include the pain and suffering, inconvenience as well as loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress. A lawyer can help calculate the value of your damages, and submit a lawsuit or insurance claim against the parties responsible for your injuries. They can also handle cases involving government entities like the Coast Guard or police.

Insurance

Financial burdens can quickly increase when someone is injured in an accident with a boat. Medical bills can cost to thousands of dollars and, when surgery is required, the costs can be more costly.

A personal injury attorney can help injured individuals recover the compensation they need. They can investigate the root of a boating accident, file necessary paperwork, and deal with insurance companies to receive the most compensation.

An attorney who handles boat accidents can also determine who is liable and what insurance coverage each person has. Not all boat owners and operators have liability insurance to cover injuries. Review your own boating and homeowners insurance policies if renting or borrow a boat to see how much coverage you have.

It is important to report any boat-related accidents to the authorities. A police report can assist in establishing negligence as well as other facts when submitting an claim for damages. It is also a good idea to speak to witnesses in order to get their testimony. Finally, it is helpful to get the names, contact details and insurance policy numbers for everyone involved in the boat accident, especially the operators of the boats.

Liability

If you're a victim of a boating accident, you may be eligible for reimbursement of the past and future medical expenses. This includes hospital bills emergency room services, doctor's appointments therapy sessions and cost of medications. Your NYC boat accident attorney will work to prove all of these expenses, and ensure that your full loss is reflected in the compensation award.

Most injuries suffered in boat accidents result from negligence or reckless actions by the boat's owner or operator. Inadequate safety equipment like lighting for navigation, fire extinguishers, or life jackets can cause some injuries to get worse. A claim can be filed against the manufacturer of a defective boat or item on board, such as the ski.

If you were injured while working on a commercial vessel you could be able to make a claim under the Jones Act. A knowledgeable New York boat accident lawyer will examine the particulars of your case and provide more details on this special law. Your lawyer will also take the lead in negotiations with the parties responsible and their lawyers as well as insurance companies on your behalf. If there is no fair settlement reached, your attorney will prepare an appeal on your behalf to obtain justice.

Time Limits

Boating and other watercrafts are governed by various laws. These laws govern driving, passing and granting the right of way, among other things. They also mandate that operators remain sober, not overloading or overwhelming their vessels and prohibit people from engaging in risky behavior like weaving in traffic or jumping into wakes. The negligence of an operator or another party involved in a boating accident can result in serious injuries and sometimes even death.

A boat accident lawyer will guide you through the legal system, determine the strength of your claim, and safeguard your rights. They can also assist you in pursuing monetary compensation by providing medical documentation and supporting evidence.

Since a boat-related case is one that is adjudicated under maritime law, as well as state personal injury laws, it might take longer to settle than an auto accident claim. It is because an attorney must collect eyewitness testimonies and police reports, and other documents prior to negotiations beginning. Negotiations in the pre-litigation phase can last anywhere between a few weeks and six months, based on the complexity of the case. If you work for commercial fishing vessels or cruise ship, a sightseeing boat, or other type worker who is working on the boat as a part or for the purpose of working and you are eligible for workers' compensation. A NY lawyer who handles boat accidents can also represent these claims.