Boat Accident Legal The Process Isn't As Hard As You Think

Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an enjoyable and thrilling activity for the whole family, but it can 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 to receive the full amount they deserve. A claim may include past medical expenses and other economic damages.

Damages

While many people imagine bodies of water similar to the Wild West, there are laws that govern vessels on lakes, rivers, and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents may be a result of many federal and state laws that are considered when determining negligence. For example, if a boat operator was drunk, it could open them up to civil lawsuits for negligence. Federal laws also address pollution and deaths at the sea. In addition, there are specific maritime laws, like the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families a pathway to compensation that is similar to workers who receive compensation in other industries.

If a loved-one was killed in a boating accident, family members can sue on their behalf for damages including the loss of companionship, funeral costs as well as pain and suffering. Families can also recover money 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 an accident on the water. A personal injury lawyer will 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 settlement or a jury verdict. An experienced lawyer will also be able to determine if there other parties that could be responsible, for instance the manufacturer or part of the boat that was faulty.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters seek damages to cover medical expenses (past and expected) and lost earnings due to time missed from work or pain and suffering emotional trauma, and damage to their boats. Serious injuries include neck and back injuries, brain traumas, broken bones and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents may involve many people who could be held responsible for the crash. These include the operator of the boat, any passengers aboard at the time of the accident as well as the other watercraft or boats involved, the manufacturers of boats and their components, engines and government agencies who place buoys to warn people about dangers. A personal injury attorney will be familiar with federal and state maritime laws to determine who is at fault for an accident.

Under the Jones Act a worker on the vessel that is injured at sea has the same rights as workers compensation beneficiaries. In the same way, 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 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 could aid in determining the strength of your case. Photographing the accident scene can help establish liability and reveal the circumstances of the boating accident. It is also essential to collect information from eyewitnesses since they can provide valuable testimony which can back up your claims.

Medical records are essential to in determining the extent of your injuries and damage they cause. These records should include detailed details of hospital and doctor visitations, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments and the associated costs them. You'll need to document changes in your income and employment capacity, as well in any other losses that are not financial.

The spinal and brain injuries are a common occurrence in boat accidents. These injuries can result from carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation, or blunt force trauma when the head strikes the propeller of the boat. These injuries can cause life-altering impact.

Other forms of marine injuries are caused by mechanical issues that can result from electrical or engine problems as well as steering system malfunctions and gear shift problems. In these instances, our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will determine if a manufacturer can be held accountable for the injuries sustained by victims of accidents.

How to File a Claim

You should seek medical attention right away following a boating accident. However, you should consult a lawyer before giving an admission to the insurance adjuster or to any other party. A lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure that you get the compensation you need for your losses.

To seek compensation following a boating collision, you will need to make an insurance claim or an action against the party(ies) responsible. It is common to present evidence in support of claims for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to the cost of medical treatment and other costs associated with the accident, such as the loss of income resulting from missing work. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering and boat accident lawyer other intangible damages which are harder to quantify.

In certain cases the manufacturer of a vessel or one of its parts can be held liable for an accident when their product was not properly made or designed. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer can determine whether a product liability is involved and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In some cases, it is not just the operator of a boat accident lawsuit who is liable for a crash. The owner of a vessel could be held accountable also, particularly in the event that they are responsible for hiring or training the person operating their vessel, or allow someone who isn't qualified to operate the vessel on their premises.