Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be a thrilling and fun recreational activity, but it's also a risky one. If negligence causes an accident the victim and their families may be entitled to compensation for the loss and injuries.

A NYC boat accident attorney can assist injured victims in getting the amount they are due. A claim will include the need for past medical expenses as well as other economic damages.

Damages

While many people imagine 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 involve several federal and state laws that are considered when determining the degree of negligence. For example, if a albertville boat accident lawsuit operator was drunk, this could open them up to civil action for negligence. Federal laws also deal with pollution and deaths at the sea. There are also maritime regulations, like the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with a similar compensation pathway to other industries.

If a loved-one was killed in a boating accident that killed them, the family can sue to recover damages, including lost companionship and funeral expenses. They can also sue for pain and suffering. Families can even recover money to pay medical bills in the past and future medical expenses.

A New York plant city boat accident lawyer boat accident lawyer can help you determine whether you or your loved one was injured during a boat accident. An attorney for personal injury can examine your insurance policy and the policies on decatur boat accident lawsuit liability of the responsible party to determine what compensation you may be eligible to receive as part of the settlement or verdict of a jury. A knowledgeable lawyer can assess whether there are any additional parties who could be responsible for the accident such as the manufacturer of the boat or component.

Liability

In general, boaters who are injured seek damages to recover medical costs (past and future), lost income from time away from work emotional trauma and suffering and pain. Serious injuries commonly involve back and neck injury and brain trauma, fractured bones, paralysis or internal organ damage.

Boating accidents often involve multiple people who could bear legal responsibility for the collision, such as the boat's operator, passengers who were onboard at the time of the incident or other watercraft and boats involved in the collision, manufacturers of the boats and their parts or engines, and even the government agencies that are responsible for putting up buoys that warn of the dangers of conditions. A personal injury lawyer will know the details of state law as well as federal maritime laws to determine who can be held accountable in the event of a collision.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a boat who suffers an injury on the sea is entitled 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 are entitled to make a claim under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. The families of injured maritime workers and the family members of sailors who have passed away are entitled to compensation under state workers' compensation laws.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence you gather in the beginning stages of the legal process can help determine the strength of your case. Photographing the accident scene will help determine the liability and help determine how the boating collision happened. Eyewitnesses may also provide valuable information that will help you prove your claim.

Medical records are crucial for finding out the extent of your injuries, and the damages that resulted. They should contain detailed account of hospital and doctor visits and surgeries, rehabilitation treatments and the associated costs them. It is also necessary to document any changes in your income or employment as well as other losses that are not financial in nature.

Spinal cord and brain injuries are a common occurrence in boat accidents. These injuries can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma that occurs when your head strikes the propeller of the boat. These injuries could have a life-altering impact.

Other kinds of marine injuries include mechanical issues, like engine failure or electrical failure such as steering issues, engine failure, and problems with gear shifts. In these cases our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will investigate to determine if a manufacturer can be held liable for the injuries sustained by victims of accidents.

How to File a Claim

You should seek medical attention immediately after an incident on the boat. However, you should consult with a lawyer before submitting a statement to the insurance adjuster or any other party. Your attorney can protect your rights, ensuring that you receive the proper compensation for the damages.

The legal process for seeking compensation following a boat accident is to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the party or parties that are liable. It is commonplace to present evidence in support of a claim for damages both economic and noneconomic. Economic damages are those incurred as a result of medical treatment and other costs associated with the accident, like the loss of income resulting from missing work. Noneconomic damages include pain and suffering and other intangible losses that may be harder to quantify.

In some cases, the manufacturer of a vessel or one of its components can be held liable for an accident when their product was not properly designed or manufactured. 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 boat who may be held liable for a crash. The owner of the vessel could be held accountable in addition, especially when they are accountable for hiring or training the person who is operating their craft or if they permit someone who is not fit to operate the boat on their property.