Boat Accident Legal: What's New? No One Is Discussing

Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an exciting and enjoyable recreational activity but it is also dangerous. If negligence causes an accident, the victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for injuries and loss.

A NYC boat accident lawyer will assist victims of injuries to claim the amount of damages they are entitled to. A claim may include past medical expenses as well as other economic damages.

Damages

While many people think of bodies of water with the Wild West in the United States, there are laws that govern the boats on lakes and rivers as well as oceans. Boat accidents can involve several federal and state laws that are considered when determining the degree of negligence. For instance, if the boat accident law firm operator was drunk, this could be a cause for civil lawsuits for negligence. Federal laws also address pollution and deaths at the sea. In addition, there are specific maritime regulations such as the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families a pathway to compensation that is comparable to workers who receive compensation in other industries.

If a loved-one was killed in a boat accident, the family members may sue for damages, including loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and pain and suffering. Families can also seek reimbursement to pay medical bills in the past and future medical expenses.

If a boating accident resulted in injuries to you or your loved ones, a New York City boat accident law firm accident lawyer can help you determine what type of damages you might be entitled to claim. A personal injury lawyer can examine your insurance policy and the policies regarding liability for boats of the responsible party to determine the compensation you are eligible to receive as part of a settlement or jury verdict. A lawyer with experience will also be able to determine if there are any other parties that could be liable, such as the manufacturer or part of the boat that was defective.

Liability

Typically, injured boaters seek damages to cover medical expenses (past and expected) and lost income due to absences from work or pain and suffering emotional trauma, and damages to their boats. Injuries that are serious include neck and back injuries, brain traumas, broken bones and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve a variety of parties who could be held liable for the crash. These include the boat operator, passengers aboard at the time of the incident as well as other watercraft or boats involved, manufacturers of boats as well as their parts, engines and government agencies that place buoys to alert people of dangers. A personal injury lawyer can be familiar with the details of state law as well as federal maritime laws to determine who can be liable in a collision.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a vessel who suffers an injury on the sea has rights to compensation that are similar to those of workers' compensation beneficiaries. Additionally, sailors injured in international waters or in the outer continental shelf waters have the right to submit a claim under Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. Workers' compensation laws of the state laws also apply to injured maritime workers and the families of sailors who died.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence you gather during the initial stages of the legal process could aid in determining the strength of your case. Photographing the accident scene can help establish liability and reveal what caused the boating collision. Eyewitnesses also can provide important information to aid in proving your claim.

Medical records are critical for in determining the extent of your injuries and the injuries that result from them. These records should include detailed accounts of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, and the expenses associated with these. You'll need to document any changes in your income or employment capacity, as well for any other financial loss.

Boat accidents are typically related to brain and spinal cord injuries. These injuries can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma if your head strikes the propeller of the boat. These injuries can cause life-changing impact.

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

Filing a Claim

While it is essential to seek medical attention immediately following a boating accident, you should not offer a statement to an insurance adjuster, or another party without first consulting a lawyer. Your lawyer can protect your rights and ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve for any damages.

To seek compensation for a boating incident you must file an insurance claim, or a lawsuit against the party(ies) responsible. This usually involves providing evidence to support a claim for financial as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to the cost of medical treatment and other expenses arising from the accident, for example lost earnings due to missed work. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering and other intangible losses that are more difficult to quantify.

In certain cases the boat manufacturer or an element of the vessel can be held accountable for a mishap if their product was manufactured or designed in a way that was defective. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer can determine if a product's liability is involved and pursue compensation from the parties responsible.

In certain instances the boat's operator might not be held liable for an accident. The owners of boats can also be held accountable, particularly 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 vessel is allowed on their property.