Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be a thrilling and enjoyable activity for the whole family, but it's also a risky one. If a negligent act leads to an accident, the victim and their families could be entitled to financial compensation for injuries and losses.

A NYC lawyer for boat accidents can assist injured victims in obtaining the amount of damages they are entitled to. The claim may cover past medical expenses as well as other economic damages.

Damages

Many people think of bodies of water as if they were the Wild West, there are laws that govern the vessels on lakes, rivers, and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can trigger multiple federal and state laws that are taken into consideration in determining if negligence took place. If a boater is drunk, they could be liable for negligence. There are federal laws that address the issue of pollution and deaths at sea. There are also maritime regulations, like the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with a similar compensation pathways to other industries.

If a loved-one was killed in a boating accident, the family members may sue on their behalf for damages, including lost companionship, funeral expenses as well as pain and suffering. Families may also seek compensation for past medical bills as well as future costs for treatment.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine if you or your loved one was injured in a boat accident. An attorney for personal injury can examine your insurance policy as well as the boat liability policies of the responsible party to determine the amount of compensation you could be entitled to receive as part of an agreement or jury verdict. A knowledgeable lawyer can determine if there are any additional individuals who are liable for the incident, such as the manufacturer of a defective boat or boat component.

Liability

In general, boaters who are injured seek compensation to cover medical expenses (past and future) and lost income due to working absences, emotional trauma and pain and suffering. Serious injuries include neck and back injuries, brain traumas, broken bones and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve a variety of parties that could be held responsible for the crash. This includes the operator of the boat, any passengers on board at the time of the collision, other boats or watercraft involved, manufacturers of boats as well as their parts, engines and government agencies who place buoys to warn people of dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer will know the details of both state law and federal maritime laws to determine who can be liable in a collision.

Under the Jones Act a worker on the vessel that is injured at sea has the same rights as workers compensation beneficiaries. Additionally, sailors 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 collected during the initial stages of the legal process could help you determine the strength of your case. Photographing the accident scene can help determine the extent of liability and determine what caused the boating collision. It's also important to obtain information from eyewitnesses, as they can offer valuable evidence to support your assertions.

Medical records are essential to determining the extent of your injuries, and the damage that resulted from it. These records should include detailed reports of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments, and the costs associated with these. You should document changes in your income and employment capacity, as well in any other losses that are not financial.

Spinal cord and brain injuries are common in Airway Heights Boat Accident Attorney collisions. These types of injuries could result from oxygen deprivation carbon monoxide poisoning, or blunt force trauma from hitting the head on places like the propeller, or on the side of the north canton boat accident lawyer. Most often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other forms of marine injuries result from mechanical issues like electrical or engine failure in the steering system, as well as gear shift issues. In these cases our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will determine if a manufacturer should be held accountable for injuries suffered by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

You should seek medical attention right away following a boating accident. However, it is recommended to consult with a lawyer before submitting a statement to the insurance adjuster or any other party. Your lawyer will protect your rights and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for damages.

In order to claim compensation for a boating incident, you will need to file an insurance claim or an action against the party(ies) responsible. This usually includes presenting evidence to support a claim for economic as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages can include medical expenses and other expenses that result from the accident, which includes lost income due to missed work. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, as well as other losses that are difficult to quantify.

In some cases the manufacturer of a vessel or one of its components could be held accountable for an accident in the event of a product that was defectively created or manufactured. A New York boating accident lawyer may investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In some instances the boat's operator might not be held responsible for the outcome of a collision. The owners of boats can also be held accountable, particularly when they are responsible for the hiring and training of the person operating their vessel or when a person not qualified to operate a craft is allowed to use their property.