Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be a thrilling and fun recreational activity, but it is also dangerous. If negligence leads to an accident, the victims and their families could be entitled to compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC lawyer for boat accidents will assist victims of injuries to claim the full amount of damages they are entitled to. A claim will include an obligation to pay for medical expenses and other economic damages.

Damages

Although many people imagine bodies of water like the Wild West, there are laws that govern the boats on rivers, lakes and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can trigger many federal and state laws which are considered when determining the degree of negligence. For instance, if a boat operator was drunk, this could be a cause for civil lawsuits based on negligence. Federal laws also deal with death and pollution at sea. There are maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with a similar compensation to other industries.

If a loved-one was killed in a boating accident that killed them, the family could sue for damages including loss of companionship and funeral costs. They may also sue for suffering and pain. Families can collect money to pay for medical expenses from the past and future medical treatment.

A New York salt lake city boat accident law firm boat accident lawyer can assist you in determining if you or your loved one was injured in an accident on the water. A personal injury attorney can look over your insurance policy and the policies governing boat liability of the responsible party to determine what compensation you might be able to receive as part of an agreement or jury verdict. A lawyer with experience can also determine if there are other parties that could be liable, like the manufacturer or a component of the Holdrege Boat Accident Attorney that was defective.

Liability

In general, injured boaters seek compensation to cover medical costs (past and future) as well as lost income resulting from absence from work emotional trauma and pain and suffering. Serious injuries include neck and back injuries, brain traumas, broken bones, and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents may involve many individuals who could be accountable for the accident. This includes the operator of the boat, passengers on board at the time of accident and other watercrafts or boats involved, the makers of boats as well as their parts, engines and government agencies that put up buoys to warn people about dangerous conditions. An attorney for personal injury will be knowledgeable of both state and federal maritime laws to determine who is responsible in an accident.

Under the Jones Act a worker on a vessel who is injured at sea has the same rights to those of workers compensation beneficiaries. Similar, sailors who are injured in international waters or the outer continental shelf waters have the right to claim compensation under the Jones Act as well as other maritime regulations of the federal government. Injured maritime workers and families of sailors who have died have claims under state workers insurance laws.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence gathered during the initial stages of the legal process could aid in determining the strength of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident can help establish liability and reveal how the boating collision happened. Eyewitnesses can also provide important information to support your claim.

Medical records are critical for establishing the extent of your injuries and the related damages. The records should contain thorough reports of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, as well as the costs associated with these. It is also necessary to record any changes to your employment and income capacity and other non-financial losses.

Boat accidents are typically caused by brain and spinal cord injuries. These types of injuries could result from oxygen deprivation carbon monoxide poisoning or blunt force trauma caused by hitting the head on places like the propeller or side of the boat. These injuries can cause life-changing effect.

Other forms of marine injuries are caused by mechanical issues, such as electrical or engine problems in the steering system, as well as gear shift problems. Our NYC boating accident attorneys will examine these cases to determine whether the manufacturer is held responsible for the injuries suffered by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

It is important to seek medical attention immediately after an accident on the water. However, you should consult a lawyer before giving an admission to the insurance adjuster or any other party. A lawyer can safeguard your rights, and ensure that you receive the proper compensation for damages.

In order to claim compensation following a boating accident you must file an insurance claim or an action against the party(ies) responsible. This typically involves providing evidence to back a claim for economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those incurred as a result of medical treatment as well as other expenses related to the accident, including lost earnings due to missed work. Non-economic damages can include pain, suffering, and any other intangible loss that is difficult to quantify.

In some cases, a boat manufacturer, or a part of the boat could be held responsible for arkansas city boat accident law firm causing an accident if 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 certain instances it's not only the operator of a boat who may be held liable for a crash. The owner of a vessel may be held responsible too, particularly when they are responsible for hiring or training the person who operates their craft or if they permit someone who isn't fit to operate the boat on their property.