georgetown boat accident lawyer Accident Litigation

Boating is a fun and thrilling activity for the whole family, but it could be dangerous. If a negligent act causes to an accident, the victim and their families could be entitled to monetary compensation for injuries and losses.

A NYC boat accident attorney can assist injured victims to receive the full amount they deserve. A claim is the need for past medical expenses as well as other financial damages.

Damages

While many people think of waters like the Wild West, there are laws that govern the boats on rivers, lakes and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can trigger a number of federal and state laws which are considered when determining the degree of negligence. For example, if a gulf shores boat accident attorney operator was drunk, it could open them up to civil lawsuits based on negligence. There are also federal laws that address pollution and deaths at sea. There are maritime regulations, like the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with similar compensation to other industries.

If a loved-one was killed in a fatal boat accident family members can sue for damages, including lost companionship and funeral costs. They may also sue for pain and suffering. Families can seek compensation to cover medical costs from the past as well as future treatment.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine if you or your loved ones were injured in a boat accident. A personal injury lawyer will review your insurance coverage as well as the responsible party's policies on boat liability to determine the type of compensation you might be entitled to receive in a settlement or a verdict. Additionally, a knowledgeable lawyer can determine if there are any additional parties that may be liable for the incident, such as the manufacturer of the boat or component.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters seek damages to recover medical expenses (past and expected), lost income because of time lost from work in pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damages to their boats. Serious injuries commonly involve back and neck injury, brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis or internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve a variety of parties who could be held responsible for the crash. These include the boat operator, passengers aboard at the time of the incident as well as the other watercraft or boats involved, the manufacturers of boats and their parts, motors and government agencies that set up buoys to warn people of dangerous conditions. An attorney for personal injury will be familiar with both state and federal maritime laws to determine who is accountable for an accident.

Under the Jones Act a worker on a vessel injured on the sea has similar rights as workers compensation beneficiaries. Also, sailors who are injured in international waters or in outer continental shelf waters have the right to make a claim under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. Families of injured maritime workers as well as relatives of sailors who died have rights under state workers' compensation laws.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence collected in the beginning stages of the legal process could help determine the strength of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident can help determine the extent of liability and help determine what caused the boating collision. Eyewitnesses can also give important information to aid in proving your claim.

Medical records are essential to understanding the severity of your injuries and the damage they cause. The records should include thorough details of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments as well as the expenses associated with them. Additionally, you should note any changes to your income and employment as well as other losses that are not financial in nature.

Brain and spinal cord injuries are common in boating accidents. The injuries in this category can be caused by oxygen deprivation carbon monoxide poisoning, or blunt force trauma caused by hitting the head on places like the propeller or side of the boat. Most often, these injuries are life-changing.

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

How to File a Claim

You should seek medical attention as soon as you notice an accident on the water. However, it is recommended to consult a lawyer before giving an admission to the insurance adjuster or another party. A lawyer can safeguard your rights, ensuring that you receive adequate compensation for any damages.

In order to claim compensation for a boating incident you must file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the party(ies) responsible. This usually includes providing evidence to back a claim for economic as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages are medical expenses and other expenses caused by the accident, including the loss of income resulting from missing work. Non-economic damages include pain, suffering, and other types of intangible loss that is difficult to quantify.

In some instances, the manufacturer of a boat or one of its components can be held liable for an accident in the event of a product that was defectively created or manufactured. A skilled New York boating injury lawyer can determine whether a product liability is involved and pursue compensation from the parties responsible.

In some cases the boat's operator might not be held responsible for a collision. The owners of boats can also be held accountable, particularly when the owner is responsible for hiring and training the person who operates their vessel, or in the event that a person who isn't fit to operate a craft is allowed to use their property.