Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be a thrilling and fun recreational activity, but it is also dangerous. If negligence leads to an accident the victims and their families could be entitled to compensation for injuries and loss.

A NYC lawyer for boat accidents will assist victims of injuries to claim the maximum amount of compensation they are entitled to. A claim is a demand for past medical expenses as well as other financial damages.

Damages

While many people think of bodies of water as if they were the Wild West, there are laws that govern the vessels that travel on rivers, lakes and oceans in the United States. Marshfield boat accident attorney accidents may be a result of various laws, both state and federal, that are considered when determining the degree of negligence. If a boat driver is drunk, they could be liable for negligence. Federal laws also address pollution and deaths on the sea. In addition, there are specific maritime regulations like the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families a pathway to compensation similar to workers who receive compensation in other industries.

If a loved one was killed in a boating accident that killed them family members may sue for damages, including lost companionship and funeral expenses. They can also sue for pain and suffering. Families can seek compensation to pay for medical expenses from the past and future treatment.

If a boat accident resulted in injuries to you or your loved ones, a New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine the kind of damages you could be entitled to claim. An attorney for personal injury can look over your insurance policy and the policies regarding liability for boats of the responsible party to determine the compensation you may be eligible to receive as part of the settlement or verdict of a jury. Additionally, a skilled lawyer can determine if there are any additional parties that may be liable 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 pain and suffering. The most serious injuries are back and neck injuries brain traumas, broken bones, and internal organ damage.

In boating accidents, there are a variety of people who could bear legal liability for a accident, including the vessel's operator, any passengers aboard at the time of the crash, other boats and watercraft involved in the collision, the manufacturers of the boats as well as their engines or parts, and even government agencies responsible for placing buoys to warn of hazardous conditions. A personal injury lawyer will be aware of the ins and outs of both state law and federal maritime laws to determine who might be liable for a crash.

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 recipients. Similar to sailors injured in international waters or outer continental shelf water have the right to claim compensation under the Jones Act as well as other maritime regulations of the federal government. State workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers who are injured and families of deceased sailors.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence you gather in the beginning stages of the legal process could aid in determining the strength of your case. For instance, taking photographs of the scene of the accident could be useful in determining the degree of responsibility as well as establishing how the boating collision happened. Eyewitnesses also can provide crucial information that can help you prove your claim.

Medical records are essential for understanding the severity of your injuries and the damage that resulted from it. The records should include thorough details of hospital and doctor visitations and surgeries, rehabilitation treatments, and costs associated with them. You will need to document any changes to your income and capacity to work, as well with any other non-financial losses.

Brain and spinal cord injuries are common in boat accidents. These injuries can be caused by oxygen deprivation carbon monoxide poisoning or blunt force trauma caused by hitting the head against areas such as the propeller or the side of the boat. Most often, these injuries are life-changing.

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

The process of filing a claim

You should seek medical attention right away following an accident on the water. However, you should consult with a lawyer prior to giving a statement to the insurance adjuster or to any other party. A lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve for damages.

The legal process for seeking compensation in the event of a boating accident is to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the person or parties who are responsible. This usually includes the presentation of evidence to support a claim for financial as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages are the cost of medical treatment and other costs associated with the accident, for example the loss of income resulting from missing work. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering as well as other intangible losses that are more difficult to quantify.

In some cases, a boat manufacturer or an element of the boat could be held liable for an accident when their product was created or manufactured in a flawed manner. A New York boating accident lawyer may investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In some instances, it is not just the operator of a east peoria boat accident attorney who may be held liable for the event of a crash. The owner of the vessel may be held responsible in addition, especially in the event that they are responsible for hiring or training the person operating their vessel, or allow a person who is unfit to operate a boat on their property.