bellefonte Boat Accident attorney Accident Litigation

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

A NYC lawyer who handles boat accidents can assist injured victims to receive the compensation they deserve. A claim could include past medical expenses as well as other economic damages.

Damages

While many people think of bodies of water as if they were the Wild West, there are laws that govern the boats on rivers, lakes, and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can trigger various federal and state laws that are considered when determining the degree of negligence. If a boat driver is drunk, they may be sued for negligence. There are also federal laws that deal with pollution and deaths at sea. There are maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with similar compensation pathway to other industries.

If a loved one has been killed in a boating accident, the family members may sue for damages that include the loss of companionship, funeral costs, and pain and suffering. Families can even recover money for past medical bills as well as future treatment costs.

If a boating accident resulted in injuries to you or your loved ones, a New York City boat accident attorney can assist you in determining what damages you are entitled to claim. An attorney for personal injury can examine your insurance policy as well as the policies regarding liability for boats of the responsible party to determine the compensation you might be able to receive as part of an agreement or jury verdict. An experienced lawyer can also determine if are other parties who may be accountable, such as the manufacturer or part of the boat that was faulty.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters seek damages to cover medical expenses (past and anticipated) and lost earnings 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 neck and back injuries or brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis and organ damage.

Boating accidents may involve many parties who could be held accountable for the accident. These include the operator of the boat, passengers aboard at the time of accident as well as the other watercraft or boats involved, boat manufacturers and their components, engines, and government agencies who place buoys to alert people of dangers. An attorney who handles personal injury cases is familiar with federal and state maritime laws to determine who is liable in an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a boat who is injured at sea has rights to a compensation equal to that of workers' compensation recipients. Similarly, sailors who are injured in international waters or in the outer continental shelf waters have the right to make a claim under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. Injured maritime workers and family members of sailors who have passed away are entitled to compensation under state workers law on compensation.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence gathered during the initial stages of the legal process can help you determine the strength of your case. Photographing the accident scene will help determine the liability and reveal what caused the boating collision. It is also essential to collect evidence from eyewitnesses, since they can offer valuable evidence that can support your assertions.

Medical records are critical for establishing the extent of your injuries and the damage they cause. These records should include precise accounts of doctor and hospital visitations and surgeries, rehabilitation treatments and the costs associated with them. You will also need to keep track of any changes in your income or employment as well as other non-financial losses.

Boat accidents are typically caused by brain and spinal cord injuries. These injuries can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma when your head strikes the propeller of the boat. These injuries can cause life-changing impact.

Other types of marine injuries result from mechanical issues that can result from electrical or engine problems, steering system malfunction and gear shift problems. Our NYC boating accident attorneys will examine these cases to determine whether the manufacturer can be held responsible for the injuries suffered by accident victims.

Making a Claim

You should seek medical attention immediately after an accident on the water. However, you should consult with a lawyer before submitting an admission to the insurance adjuster or any other party. A lawyer can safeguard your rights, including ensuring that you are compensated in a fair manner for the damage.

In order to obtain compensation following a boating accident you must file an insurance claim, or an action against the party(ies) responsible. It is typical to present evidence to support claims for both economic and noneconomic damage. Economic damages include the costs of medical treatment and other expenses associated with the accident, like lost income from missed work. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering, and other types of intangible loss that can be difficult to quantify.

In some cases a boat manufacturer or a component of the vessel can be held liable for an accident when their product was created 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 responsible parties.

In some cases there are instances where it is not only the operator of a vermont boat accident lawsuit who is liable for an accident. Boat owners can also be held accountable, in particular if the owner is responsible for hiring and training the person who operates their vessel or when a person not qualified to operate a vessel is allowed on their property.