Boat Accident Litigation

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

A NYC boat accident attorney can assist injured victims in getting the amount they are due. A claim may include past medical expenses, along with other economic damages.

Damages

While many people think of bodies of water similar to the Wild West, there are laws that govern the vessels on lakes, rivers and oceans throughout the United States. Boat accidents can trigger various federal and state laws which are considered when determining the degree of negligence. For example, if a boat operator was drunk, it could open them up to civil lawsuits based on negligence. Federal laws also deal with death and pollution at sea. There are maritime regulations, like 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, the family members may sue for damages, including the loss of companionship, funeral costs, and pain and suffering. Families can recover money to cover medical bills from the past as well as future treatment.

If a red wing boat accident attorney accident caused injuries to you or your loved ones If you or your loved ones were injured, a New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine what damages you are entitled to claim. An attorney for personal injury can review your insurance policy and the boat liability policies of the responsible party to determine the compensation you are eligible to receive as part of the settlement or verdict of a jury. A lawyer with experience can also determine if are other parties who may be liable, such as the manufacturer or a component of the boat that was faulty.

Liability

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

Boating accidents can involve a variety of parties who could be held accountable for the collision. This includes the operator of the boat, any passengers who were aboard at the time of the accident and other watercrafts or boats involved, manufacturers of boats and their components, engines and government agencies that place buoys to warn people about dangers. An attorney who handles personal injury cases will be familiar with federal and state maritime laws to determine who is liable in an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a vessel who suffers an injury at sea has rights to compensation that are similar to those of workers' compensation beneficiaries. Similar to this, sailors who are who are injured in international waters or outer continental shelf water are entitled to file claims under the Jones Act as well as other federal maritime regulations. The families of injured maritime workers and the families of sailors who have died have claims under state workers law on compensation.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence you gather during the initial stages of the legal process can aid in determining the strength of your case. For example, taking photographs of the scene of the accident could help determine the responsibility as well as establishing what caused the boating crash. Eyewitnesses may also provide valuable evidence to help you prove your claim.

Medical records are essential to understanding the severity of your injuries as well as the associated damages. They should contain detailed account of hospital and doctor visits as well as rehabilitation procedures, surgeries, and costs associated with them. It is also necessary to record any changes to your income or employment along with other non-financial losses.

Boat accidents are typically linked to spinal cord injuries. These injuries can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation, or blunt force trauma, when the head strikes the propeller of the boat. Most often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other types of marine injuries are caused by mechanical failures, such as electrical or engine failure such as steering issues, engine failure, and problems with gear shifts. In these cases our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will determine if a manufacturer can be held responsible for injuries sustained by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

It is crucial to seek medical attention for injuries immediately following a boating accident but you should not provide a statement to an insurance adjuster, or another party without consulting a lawyer. Your lawyer will protect your rights and ensure you get the compensation you deserve for any damages.

In order to claim compensation following a boating collision it is necessary to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the party(ies) responsible. This usually includes the presentation of evidence to support a claim for financial as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages include the costs of medical treatment and other expenses associated with the accident, for example lost earnings due to missed work. Noneconomic damages include pain and suffering, as well as other losses that are more difficult to quantify.

In certain cases, a boat manufacturer, or parts of the vessel can be held responsible for an accident when their product was designed 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 parties responsible.

In some cases there are instances where it is not only the operator of a san luis boat accident lawyer who may be held liable for a crash. Owners of vessels can be held responsible, especially 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 on their property.