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Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is an enjoyable and thrilling activity for the whole family, but it is also risky. If negligence leads to an accident the victims 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 can include past medical expenses and other economic damages.

Damages

Although many people imagine bodies of water like the Wild West, there are laws that govern vessels that travel on rivers, lakes and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can involve multiple federal and state laws that are considered to determine if negligence was the cause. For example, if a boat operator was drunk, this could lead to civil lawsuits for negligence. Federal laws also deal with pollution and deaths on the sea. There are maritime regulations, like the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with similar compensation to 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 seek compensation to cover medical bills from the past and any future treatment.

If a boat accident caused injuries to you or your loved ones, a new square boat accident lawsuit York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine the kind of damages you are entitled to claim. A personal injury lawyer will examine your insurance policy as well as the policies on boat liability of the responsible party to determine the amount of compensation you could be entitled to receive as part of an agreement or jury verdict. Additionally, a skilled lawyer can determine if there are any other individuals who are liable for the accident, including the manufacturer of the defective cleveland boat accident law firm or component.

Liability

Typically, injured boaters seek damages to cover medical expenses (past and expected) and lost income due to the time they miss from work in pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damage to their boats. The most serious injuries are back and neck injuries brain traumas, broken bones, and internal organ damage.

Accidents involving boats can involve many people who could be held accountable for the accident. This includes the operator of the boat, passengers on board at the time of the collision as well as the other watercraft or boats involved, manufacturers of boats as well as their parts, engines, and government agencies that put up buoys to alert people of dangerous conditions. An attorney who handles personal injury cases will be knowledgeable of federal and state maritime laws in order to determine who is at fault in the event of an accident.

Under the Jones Act, a worker on a vessel who suffers an injury on the sea has rights to compensation similar to those of workers’ compensation recipients. In the same way, sailors injured in international waters or in outer continental shelf waters are entitled to claim compensation under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. Workers’ compensation laws also apply to maritime workers who have been injured and families of sailors who have passed away.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence gathered during the early stages of the legal process will help determine the strength and viability 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 crucial to get information from eyewitnesses, as they can be a valuable source of evidence which can back up your claims.

Medical records are vital for finding out the extent of your injuries, and the damage that resulted from it. They should contain detailed accounts of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments, and the expenses associated with these. You will also need to note any changes to your income or employment and any other losses that are not financial in nature.

Brain and spinal cord injuries are common in boating accidents. These injuries may be caused by 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 types of marine injuries involve mechanical issues, for example electrical or engine problems such as steering issues, engine failure, and problems with gear shifts. Our NYC boating accident lawyers will investigate these cases to determine whether the manufacturer is accountable for the injuries sustained by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

You should seek medical attention immediately following an accident with a boat. However, you should consult with a lawyer prior to giving an admission to the insurance adjuster or to any other party. A lawyer can safeguard your rights and ensure that you are compensated in a fair manner for the damage.

The legal procedure for seeking compensation after a boat accident is to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the person or parties who are liable. This usually includes providing evidence to back a claim for economic as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses and other expenses caused by the accident, which includes lost income due to missed work. Noneconomic damages are those that result from pain and suffering, as well as other losses that may be harder to quantify.

In certain cases the manufacturer of a vessel or one of its parts can be held liable for an accident in the event of a product that was defectively made or designed. A New York boating accident lawyer may investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In some instances, the boat operator may not be held liable for the outcome of a collision. Boat owners can also be held accountable, especially when they are responsible for hiring and training the person operating their vessel or if a person unfit to operate a craft is allowed on their property.