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Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be 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 the loss and injuries.

A NYC jacksboro boat accident law firm accident lawyer can help injured victims claim the maximum amount of compensation they are entitled to. A claim includes the need for past medical expenses as well as other economic damages.

Damages

While many people imagine bodies of water like the Wild West, there are laws that govern boats that are moored on lakes, rivers, and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents may be a result of a number of federal and state laws which are considered when determining negligence. For instance, if a boat operator was drunk, it could make them vulnerable to civil lawsuits based on negligence. There are federal laws that address pollution and deaths at sea. Additionally, there are special maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families a pathway to compensation similar to workers compensated in other industries.

If a loved-one was killed in a boating accident, the family can sue for damages that include funeral expenses, lost companionship as well as pain and suffering. Families may also seek compensation for medical bills from the past and future costs for treatment.

If a boating accident resulted in injuries to you or your loved ones, a New York City boat accident attorney can help you determine the type of damages you are entitled to claim. An attorney for personal injuries can look over your insurance policy and the responsible party’s Montpelier boat accident law firm liability policies to determine what type of compensation you might be entitled to in a settlement or verdict. A lawyer with experience can also determine if there other parties that could be responsible, for instance the manufacturer, or even a part of the boat that was defective.

Liability

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

In boating accidents, there are a variety of people who could bear legal liability for a collision, such as the boat’s operator, any passengers who were onboard at the time of the crash, other boats and watercraft involved in the collision, the makers of the boats and their parts or engines as well as authorities responsible for putting buoys to warn people of danger conditions. A personal injury lawyer is aware of the rules and regulations of state law as well as federal maritime laws to determine who might be responsible in a collision.

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 this, sailors who are injured in international waters or outer continental shelf water are able to submit claims under the Jones Act as well as other federal maritime regulations. Families of injured maritime workers as well as relatives of sailors who died are entitled to compensation under state workers compensation laws.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence gathered in the beginning stages of the legal process can help you determine the strength of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident can help determine the extent of liability and establish how the boating incident occurred. Eyewitnesses also can provide crucial information that can aid in proving your claim.

Medical records are crucial for in determining the extent of your injuries and the injuries that result from them. The records should contain thorough reports of doctor and hospital visits, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments, and the costs associated with these. You’ll need to document any changes in your income or capacity to work, as well with any other non-financial losses.

Boat accidents are often associated with brain and spinal cord injuries. These injuries can result from carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma if the head hits the propeller of the boat. These injuries can cause life-altering impact.

Other types of maritime injuries include mechanical failures, such as electrical or engine failure or steering system malfunctions and gear shift issues. Our NYC boating accident lawyers will look into these cases to determine whether the manufacturer can be accountable for the injuries suffered by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

It is important to seek medical attention immediately after an incident on the boat. However, it is recommended to consult a lawyer prior to submitting an admission to the insurance adjuster or any other person. Your lawyer will protect your rights and ensure that you get the compensation you need for your losses.

In order to claim compensation following a boating collision you must file an insurance claim or an action against the party(ies) responsible. It is common to present evidence in support of an insurance claim for damages both economic and noneconomic. Economic damages include the costs of medical treatment and other expenses associated with the accident, such as lost income from missed work. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering, and other forms of loss that may be difficult to quantify.

In certain cases the maker of a selmer boat accident law firm or one of its parts could be held responsible for an accident in the event of a product that was defectively designed or manufactured. A skilled New York boating injury lawyer will determine if product liability is at stake and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In some cases, it is not just the operator of a vessel who may be held liable for the event of a crash. The owner of a vessel could be held accountable as well, especially if they are responsible for hiring or training the person who is operating their vessel, or allow a person who isn’t qualified to operate an unfit boat to use their property.