Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is an enjoyable and exciting recreational activity that is also risky. If a negligent decision leads to an accident, victims and their families may be entitled to financial compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC boat accident attorney can assist injured victims to receive the full amount they deserve. A claim can include past medical expenses and other economic damages.

Damages

While many people think of bodies of water like the Wild West, there are laws that govern the boats on rivers, lakes and oceans throughout the United States. Boat accidents can trigger several federal and state laws which are considered when determining negligence. If a boat driver is drunk, boat they could be sued for negligence. Federal laws also address death and pollution at sea. Furthermore, there are specific maritime regulations like the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families a pathway for compensation similar to workers who receive compensation in other industries.

If a loved one was killed in a boat accident, the family can bring a lawsuit on their behalf to recover damages including loss of companionship, funeral expenses as well as pain and suffering. Families can even recover money for past medical bills as well as future treatment costs.

If a boat accident caused injuries to you or your loved ones If you or your loved ones were injured, a New York City boat accident attorney can help you determine the type of damages you may be entitled to claim. An attorney for personal injuries can review your insurance coverage and the responsible party's policies on boat liability to determine what compensation you might be entitled to receive in a settlement or verdict. Additionally, a skilled lawyer can assess whether there are any other individuals who are liable for the accident, including the manufacturer of the defective boat accident lawsuit or component.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters seek damages to recover medical expenses (past and expected) and lost income due to absences from work, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damage to their boats. The most serious injuries are neck and back injuries as well as brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis or internal organ damage.

Boating accidents usually involve multiple parties that could potentially bear legal responsibility for the collision, including the boat's operator, any passengers on board at the time of the incident along with other watercraft and vessels involved in the collision, the manufacturers of the boats and their parts or engines, and even government agencies responsible for placing buoys to warn of hazardous conditions. A personal injury lawyer will be familiar with both state and federal maritime laws in order to determine who is accountable for an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a vessel who suffers an injury at sea has rights to a compensation equal to that of workers' compensation beneficiaries. Also, sailors who are injured on international waters or in the outer continental shelf waters have the right to file a claim under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. Families of injured maritime workers as well as family members of sailors who have passed away have claims under state workers insurance laws.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence gathered during the early stages of the legal process can aid in determining the strength and legitimacy of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident can help determine the extent of liability and help determine the circumstances of the boating accident. Eyewitnesses can also provide valuable evidence to aid in proving your claim.

Medical records are critical for finding out the extent of your injuries as well as the damage they cause. They should contain detailed reports of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, as well as the costs associated with these. You'll need to document any changes in your income or job capacity, as well as any other non-financial loss.

chicago boat accident Law firm accidents are frequently associated with brain and spinal cord injuries. The injuries in this category can result from oxygen deficiency carbon monoxide poisoning, or blunt force trauma from hitting the head on places like the propeller or side of the boat. These injuries could have a life-altering impact.

Other forms of marine injuries include mechanical failures like electrical or engine problems as well as steering system malfunctions and gear shift problems. Our NYC lawyers for boating accidents will investigate these cases to determine whether the manufacturer is held responsible for the injuries sustained by accident victims.

Making a Claim

While it is vital to seek medical attention immediately for injuries following a boat accident, you should not offer a statement to an insurance adjuster or other party without first consulting a lawyer. An attorney can help protect your rights, ensuring that you receive adequate compensation for damages.

The legal procedure for seeking compensation following a boat accident is to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the party or parties that are responsible. It is typical to present evidence in support of claims for both economic and noneconomic damage. Economic damages can include medical expenses and other expenses that are incurred due to the accident, as well as the loss of income resulting from missing work. Noneconomic damages are those that result from pain and suffering and other intangible losses that are difficult to quantify.

In certain cases the maker of a vessel or one of its components may be held accountable for an accident if their product was defectively constructed or designed. A skilled New York boating injury lawyer can determine whether a product responsibility is involved and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In some instances it's not only the operator of a boat who is liable for an accident. Owners of vessels can be held accountable, in particular in the event that the owner is responsible for hiring and training the person operating their vessel, or if a person unfit to operate a boat is allowed to use their property.