Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an exciting and enjoyable recreational activity but it's also a risky one. If negligence causes an accident, the victims and their families could be entitled to compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC boat accident attorney can help injured victims get the compensation they deserve. A claim may include past medical expenses as well as other economic damages.

Damages

Although many people think of bodies of water with the Wild West in the United States, there are laws that govern the boats on lakes and rivers as well as oceans. Boat accidents can involve multiple federal and state laws that are taken into consideration in determining if negligence occurred. If a boat driver is drunk, they may be sued for negligence. There are also federal laws that deal with death and pollution at sea. Additionally, there are special maritime laws, like the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families access for compensation similar to workers' compensation in other industries.

If a loved-one was killed in a tragic mapleton boat accident law firm accident family members can sue to recover damages, including loss of companionship and funeral costs. They may also sue for pain and suffering. Families can even recover money for past medical bills and future costs for treatment.

If a boat accident caused injuries to you or your loved ones A New York City boat accident attorney can assist you in determining the type of damages you might be entitled to claim. A personal injury lawyer can examine your insurance policy and the policies regarding liability for boats of the responsible party to determine what compensation you might be able to receive as part of an agreement or jury verdict. A knowledgeable lawyer can determine if there are any other individuals who are liable for the incident, such as the manufacturer of the boat or component.

Liability

In general, injured boaters seek compensation to cover medical costs (past and future) and lost income due to the absence of work emotional trauma and pain and suffering. Most serious injuries involve neck and back injuries and brain trauma, fractured bones, paralysis and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve many parties that could be held liable for the crash. These include the operator of the boat, passengers aboard at the time of the accident, other boats or watercraft involved, the makers of boats and their components, engines and government agencies who place buoys to warn people of dangerous conditions. An attorney who handles personal injury cases will be familiar with both state and federal maritime laws in order to determine who is liable for an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a vessel who suffers an injury at sea is entitled to compensation that are similar to those of workers' compensation beneficiaries. In the same way, sailors injured on international waters or in outer continental shelf waters have the right to file a claim under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. Families and maritime workers who have been injured as well as the relatives of sailors who died have claims under state workers insurance laws.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence collected in the beginning stages of the legal process can help determine the strength of your case. For instance, taking photos of the scene of the accident could be useful in determining the degree of the extent of liability and how the boating collision happened. Eyewitnesses may also provide important information to support your claim.

Medical records are essential for finding out the extent of your injuries and related damages. These records should include thorough accounts of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, and the costs associated with these. Additionally, you should keep track of any changes in your employment and income capacity and any other losses that are not financial in nature.

Brain and spinal cord injuries are a common occurrence in boat accidents. These injuries can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma that occurs when your head strikes the propeller of the harrison boat accident lawyer. Most often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other forms of marine injuries are caused by mechanical issues, such as electrical or engine failure in the steering system, as well as gear shift problems. Our NYC boating accident attorneys will investigate these cases to determine if the manufacturer should be accountable for the injuries suffered by accident victims.

Filing a Claim

While it is vital to seek medical attention immediately for injuries following a boat accident but you should not provide an account to an insurance adjuster or another party without consulting a lawyer. A lawyer can defend your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for any damages.

In order to claim compensation for a boating incident, you will need to file an insurance claim, or a lawsuit against the party(ies) responsible. It is commonplace to present evidence in support of a claim for both non-economic and economic damages. Economic damages are those incurred as a result of medical treatment and other expenses related to the accident, including lost earnings from work missed. Non-economic damages include pain, suffering, and other forms of losses that are difficult to quantify.

In some instances the boat manufacturer or an element of the livingston boat accident attorney could be held responsible for causing an accident if their product was constructed or designed in a flawed manner. A skilled New York boating injury lawyer can investigate whether product responsibility is involved and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In some instances the boat's owner might not be held responsible for a collision. The owner of a vessel can be held liable in addition, especially if they are responsible for hiring or training the person operating their craft or if they permit someone who isn't qualified to operate the vessel on their premises.