Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an enjoyable and exciting recreational activity that can be dangerous. If negligence causes an accident the victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC boat accident attorney will assist victims of injuries to get the compensation they deserve. A claim could include past medical expenses as well as other economic damages.

Damages

Many people think of bodies of water similar to the Wild West, there are laws that govern the vessels on lakes, rivers and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can involve multiple federal and state laws which are weighed in determining if negligence occurred. For instance, if a boat operator was drunk, it could open them up to civil lawsuits based on negligence. Federal laws also address pollution and deaths at sea. There are also 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 tragic boat accident, the family can sue for damages, including loss of companionship and funeral costs. They may also sue for suffering and pain. Families can collect money to cover medical bills from the past as well as future treatment.

If a boat accident has caused injuries to you or your loved ones A New York City boat accident attorney can assist you in determining what type of damages you might be 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 the settlement or verdict of a jury. A lawyer with experience will also be able to determine if there are any other parties that could be accountable, such as the manufacturer, or even a part of the boat that was faulty.

Liability

In general, boaters who are injured seek damages to recover medical costs (past and future) as well as lost income resulting from the absence of work emotional trauma, as well as pain and suffering. Serious injuries commonly involve neck and back injuries, brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis or internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve many parties that could be held responsible for the crash. These include the operator of the boat, passengers on board at the time of the accident, other boats or watercraft involved, the manufacturers of boats, their parts, engines, and government agencies who place buoys to warn the public of dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer is aware of the specifics 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 vessel who suffers an injury on the sea has rights to a compensation equal to that of workers' compensation recipients. Similarly, sailors who are injured in international waters or in outer continental shelf waters are entitled to submit a claim under Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. The state workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers injured and families of sailors who died.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence gathered in the beginning stages of the legal process could aid in determining the strength of your case. Photographing the accident scene can help determine the extent of liability and help determine what caused the boating collision. It is also crucial to get evidence from eyewitnesses, since they can be a valuable source of evidence to support your claims.

Medical records are essential for in determining the extent of your injuries and related damages. The records should contain thorough reports of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, and the cost associated with these. You should document any changes in your income or job capacity, as well with any other non-financial losses.

Boat accidents are often related to brain and spinal cord injuries. These types of injuries could result from oxygen deprivation, carbon monoxide poisoning or blunt force trauma from hitting the head on areas like the propeller or sides of the natchitoches boat accident law firm. Most often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other types of maritime injuries involve mechanical failure like electrical or engine failure in the steering system, as well as gear shift issues. In these cases our NYC boating accident lawyers will investigate to determine if the manufacturer should be held accountable for injuries sustained by victims of accidents.

Making a Claim

While it is vital to seek medical attention for injuries as soon as you can following a boat accident and you should not make a statement to an insurance adjuster or another party without first consulting with a lawyer. Your attorney can protect your rights, and ensure that you receive the proper compensation for the damage.

In order to obtain compensation following a boating accident it is necessary to file an insurance claim or an action against the party(ies) responsible. This usually involves the presentation of evidence to justify a claim of economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages refer to the cost of medical treatment and other expenses related to the accident, such as the loss of income resulting from missing work. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, as well as other losses that may be harder to quantify.

In some cases the fairfield boat Accident Attorney manufacturer or a part of the boat may be held liable for an accident if their product was designed or manufactured in a manner that was not safe. A New York boating accident lawyer can investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In some cases, it is not just the person who operates a boat who may be held liable for the event of a crash. Owners of vessels can be held accountable, especially when they are responsible for hiring and training the person operating their vessel, or if a person unfit to operate a boat is allowed on their property.