Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be a thrilling and enjoyable leisure activity, but it's also a risky one. If negligence leads to an accident, the victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC lawyer who handles boat accidents can assist injured victims in getting the amount they are due. A claim may include past medical expenses and other economic damages.

Damages

While many people think of bodies of water like the Wild West, there are laws that govern the boats that are moored on lakes, rivers and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can trigger multiple federal and state laws that are taken into consideration in determining whether negligence occurred. For example, if a boat operator was drunk, it could open them up to civil lawsuits for negligence. Federal laws also address pollution and deaths at the sea. In addition, there are specific maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families a pathway to compensation that is similar to workers' compensation in other industries.

If a loved one has been killed in a boating accident, family members can sue for damages including loss of companionship, funeral expenses and pain and suffering. Families can also seek reimbursement for past medical bills and future medical expenses.

If a boat accident resulted in injuries to you or your loved ones and loved ones, a New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you in determining the type of damages you are entitled to claim. A personal injury lawyer will review your insurance coverage as well as the responsible party's boat liability policies to determine the type of compensation you may be entitled to in a settlement or a verdict. In addition, an experienced lawyer can assess whether there are any other parties who could be responsible for the accident, such as the manufacturer of a defective boat or boat part.

Liability

In general, injured boaters seek compensation to cover medical costs (past and future) as well as lost income resulting from the absence of work emotional trauma and suffering and pain. Injuries that are serious include neck and back injuries and brain traumas, as well as broken bones, and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents typically involve multiple parties that could be liable for legal liability for a collision, such as the boat's operator, any other passengers aboard at the time of the crash or other watercraft and boats involved in the collision, manufacturers of the boats and their parts or engines, and even government agencies responsible for putting buoys to warn of hazardous conditions. A personal injury lawyer is aware of the rules and regulations of state law as well as federal maritime laws to determine who may be liable for a crash.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a boat who suffers an injury at sea is entitled to a compensation equal to that of workers' compensation recipients. Also, sailors who are injured on international waters or in the outer continental shelf waters are entitled to make a claim under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. State workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers injured and families of deceased sailors.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence gathered during the early stages of the legal process can aid in determining the strength and viability of your case. Photographing the accident scene can help establish liability and establish what caused the boating collision. Eyewitnesses can also provide valuable information that will help you prove your claim.

Medical records are crucial for understanding the severity of your injuries, and the damages that resulted. The records should contain thorough details of doctor and hospital visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, as well as the costs associated with these. You should also note any changes to your income and employment and other non-financial losses.

Boat accidents are often associated with brain and spinal cord injuries. Injuries in this category may result from oxygen deficiency carbon monoxide poisoning or blunt force trauma that results from hitting the head on places like the propeller, or on the side of the boat. In most cases, these injuries can be life-changing.

Other types of marine injuries involve mechanical failures, such as electrical or engine failure such as steering issues, engine failure, and lawsuits problems with gear shifts. In these instances our NYC boating accident lawyers will investigate to determine if a manufacturer can be held accountable for injuries suffered by accident victims.

Filing a Claim

You should seek medical attention immediately following a boating accident. However, it is recommended to consult with a lawyer before submitting an admission to the insurance adjuster or any other person. Your lawyer will protect your rights and ensure that you get the money you deserve for damages.

The legal procedure to seek compensation following a boat accident is to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the party or parties that are responsible. This usually includes presenting evidence to back a claim for economic as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages may include medical costs and other expenses incurred as a result of the accident, as well as lost income due to missed work. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering, and other types of intangible loss that is difficult to quantify.

In some instances the boat manufacturer or a part of the boat can be held accountable for causing an accident if their product was designed or manufactured in a defective manner. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer can investigate whether product liability is involved and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In some cases it's not only the operator of a boat that could be held accountable for an accident. Owners of vessels can also be held responsible, especially when the owner is responsible for the hiring and training of the person who operates their vessel, or in the event that a person who isn't fit to operate a vessel is allowed to use their property.