Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be a thrilling and enjoyable recreational activity but it is also dangerous. If a negligent decision leads to an accident and their families may be entitled to compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC boat accident lawyer can help injured victims claim the maximum amount of compensation they deserve. A claim includes an obligation to pay for medical expenses as well as other financial damages.

Damages

While many people think of bodies of water as if they were the Wild West, there are laws that govern the vessels that travel on rivers, lakes and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents may be a result of various federal and state laws which are considered when determining the degree of negligence. If a boater is drunk, they may be sued for negligence. Federal laws also address pollution and deaths at the sea. In addition, there are specific maritime laws, like the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families a pathway for compensation similar to workers who receive compensation in other industries.

If a loved one has been killed in a boat accident, the family members may sue for damages including lost companionship, funeral expenses, and pain and suffering. Families can also recover money for past medical bills as well as future treatment costs.

A New York redwood city boat accident Law firm boat accident lawyer can help you determine whether you or a loved ones were injured in an accident on the water. A personal injury lawyer can examine your insurance coverage and the responsible party's boat liability policies to determine the type of compensation you might be entitled to in a settlement or a verdict. An experienced lawyer can also assess if there are other parties who may be liable, like the manufacturer or part of the boat that was faulty.

Liability

Typically, injured boaters seek damages to cover medical expenses (past and expected) and lost income due to the time they miss from work as well as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damages to their boats. Serious injuries commonly involve back and neck injury or brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis or internal organ damage.

Boating accidents often involve multiple people who could bear legal responsibility for the collision, such as the coal city boat accident lawsuit's operator, any passengers who were onboard at the time of the crash, other boats and watercraft involved in the collision, as well as the manufacturers of the boats as well as their engines or parts and even government agencies responsible for placing buoys to warn of hazardous conditions. A personal injury lawyer is familiar with federal and state maritime laws in order to determine who is at fault in an accident.

Under the Jones Act a worker on a vessel injured at sea enjoys the same rights to those of workers compensation beneficiaries. Similar, sailors who suffer injuries in international waters or the outer continental shelf waters can make claims under the Jones Act as well as other federal maritime regulations. The families of injured maritime workers and the families of deceased sailors also have claims under state worker' compensation laws.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence collected during the early stages of the legal process can help determine the strength and viability of your case. For example, taking photographs of the scene of the accident could be useful in determining the extent of liability as well as establishing the circumstances of the boating accident. It is also crucial to get evidence from eyewitnesses, since they can be a valuable source of evidence that supports your claims.

Medical records are essential for establishing the extent of your injuries and associated damages. These records should include detailed reports of doctor and hospital visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, and the costs associated with these. It is also necessary to document any changes in your income and employment as well as other non-financial losses.

Boat accidents are typically associated with brain and spinal cord injuries. These injuries can result from carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma, when the head strikes the propeller of the boat. These injuries can cause life-altering impact.

Other kinds of marine injuries are caused by mechanical problems, such as electrical or engine problems or steering issues, as well as problems with gear shifts. Our NYC boating accident lawyers will examine these cases to determine whether the manufacturer is held responsible for the injuries sustained by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

It is important to seek medical attention immediately after a boating accident. However, it is recommended to consult a lawyer prior to submitting an assurance to the insurance adjuster or any other person. Your lawyer will protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to for the damages you have suffered.

In order to seek compensation after a boating accident and you need to submit an insurance claim or an action against the party(ies) responsible. This usually involves providing evidence to support a claim for financial and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those incurred as a result of medical treatment as well as other expenses arising from the accident, including lost earnings from work missed. Noneconomic damages are those that result from pain and suffering and other intangible damages that may be harder to quantify.

In certain instances, a lehi boat accident attorney manufacturer, or an element of the boat could be held accountable for causing an accident if their product was designed or manufactured in a way that was defective. A New York boating accident lawyer may investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In certain situations, the boat operator may not be held responsible for an accident. Boat owners can also be held accountable, particularly if the owner is responsible for hiring and training the person who operates their vessel or when a person who is not fit to operate a craft is allowed to use their property.