Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is an enjoyable and thrilling activity for the whole family, but it can be risky. If negligence leads to an accident, the victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC lawyer for boat accidents can help injured victims get the amount they are due. A claim will include a demand for past medical expenses as well as other financial damages.

Damages

Many people think of bodies of water similar to the Wild West, there are laws that govern the vessels that travel on rivers, lakes, and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can be governed by multiple federal and state laws that are considered in determining whether negligence occurred. For example, if a boat operator was drunk, it could be a cause for civil litigation for negligence. There are federal laws that address death and pollution at sea. There are 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 tragic De Motte Boat Accident Law Firm accident, the family can sue for damages, including loss of companionship and funeral expenses. They may also sue for pain and suffering. Families can also recover money to pay medical bills in the past and future treatment costs.

A New York City atwater boat accident attorney accident lawyer can help you determine whether you or a loved ones were injured in a boat accident. A personal injury lawyer can look over your insurance policy and the responsible party's boat liability policies to determine the type of compensation you are entitled to receive in a settlement or a verdict. Additionally, a skilled lawyer can determine if there are any other individuals who are liable for the accident, such as the manufacturer of the boat or component.

Liability

In general, boaters who are injured seek compensation to cover medical expenses (past and future), lost income from time away from work emotional trauma, as well as suffering and pain. The most serious injuries are neck and back injuries as well as brain traumas, fractured bones and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents may involve many individuals who could be accountable for the accident. This includes the operator of the boat, any passengers on board at the time of the collision, other boats or watercraft involved, the makers of boats and their components, engines and government agencies that place buoys to alert people of dangers. A personal injury lawyer is aware of the rules and regulations of both state law and federal maritime laws to determine who could be responsible in a collision.

Under the Jones Act a worker on a vessel injured at sea has similar rights to those of workers compensation beneficiaries. Similarly, de motte boat accident law firm sailors who are injured on international waters or in outer continental shelf waters have the right to file a claim under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. Injured maritime workers and relatives of sailors who died have claims under state worker law on compensation.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence collected during the early stages of the legal process will help determine the strength and validity of your case. For instance, taking photos of the scene of the accident could be useful in determining the degree of the extent of liability and how the boating collision happened. It is also essential to collect information from eyewitnesses since they can offer valuable evidence which can back up your claims.

Medical records are vital for determining the extent of your injuries and the damages that resulted. These records should include detailed reports of hospital and doctor visitations and surgeries, rehabilitation treatments and the associated costs them. You should document changes in your income and capacity to work, as well for any other financial loss.

Injuries to the spinal cord and brain are common in boat accidents. These injuries may be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma if the head is struck by the propeller of the boat. The majority of the time, these injuries are life-changing.

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

How to File a Claim

You should seek medical attention immediately after an accident with a boat. However, you should consult a lawyer before giving a statement to the insurance adjuster or another party. A lawyer can safeguard your rights, including ensuring that you are compensated in a fair manner for the damages.

The legal process to seek compensation following a boat accident is to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the person or parties who are liable. This usually involves presenting evidence to support a claim for economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are medical expenses and other expenses that are incurred due to the accident, including loss of income due to missing work. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, and other types of intangible losses that are difficult to quantify.

In some instances a boat manufacturer or an element of the vessel can be held responsible for an accident when their product was created or manufactured in a defective manner. A New York boating accident lawyer can investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In certain situations the boat owner may not be held responsible for an accident. Owners of vessels can also be held responsible, especially when the owner is responsible for hiring and training the person who operates their vessel or when a person not qualified to operate a boat is allowed on their property.