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Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an exciting and enjoyable activity for the whole family, but it’s also a risky one. If a negligent action leads to an accident, the victim and their families could be entitled to monetary compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC boat accident lawyer can help injured victims claim the maximum amount of compensation they are entitled to. A claim may include past medical expenses and other economic damages.

Damages

While many people think of 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 may be governed by a variety of federal and state laws that are considered in determining whether negligence occurred. If a boater is drunk, they could be sued for negligence. There are also federal laws that deal with death and pollution at 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 fatal boat accident, the family can sue to recover damages, including lost companionship and funeral expenses. They can also sue for pain and suffering. Families can even recover money for medical bills from the past and future treatment costs.

If a boat accident caused injuries to you or your loved ones If you or your loved ones were injured, a New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine what damages you are entitled to claim. A personal injury lawyer can review your insurance policy and the boat liability policies of the responsible party to determine the compensation you might be able to receive as part of the settlement or verdict of a jury. In addition, an experienced lawyer can assess whether there are any other parties that may be liable for the accident, including the manufacturer of a defective boat or boat component.

Liability

In general, boaters who are injured seek damages to recover medical costs (past and future) as well as lost earnings due to 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.

Boating accidents often involve multiple parties who could have legal liability for a accident, including the vessel’s operator, other passengers aboard at the time of the crash as well as other watercraft and boats involved in the collision, manufacturers of the boats and their engines or parts as well as the government agencies that are responsible for putting up buoys that warn of the dangers of conditions. A personal injury lawyer is aware of the details of state law as well as federal maritime laws to determine who could be held accountable in the event of a collision.

Under the Jones Act a worker on a vessel injured at sea enjoys the same rights to those of workers compensation beneficiaries. Similarly, sailors who are injured on international waters or in the outer continental shelf waters are entitled to claim compensation under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. Families of injured maritime workers as well as family members of sailors who have passed away have claims under state worker’ compensation laws.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence collected in the beginning stages of the legal process could help you determine the strength of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident can help establish liability and determine how the boating incident occurred. It is also crucial to get information from eyewitnesses, as they can be a valuable source of evidence that can support your assertions.

Medical records are essential for in determining the extent of your injuries as well as the associated damages. These records should include precise accounts of doctor and hospital visitations as well as rehabilitation procedures, surgeries, and costs associated with them. You should also document any changes in your income or employment along with other non-financial losses.

Brain and spinal cord injuries are common in boat accidents. The injuries in this category can be caused by oxygen deficiency carbon monoxide poisoning, or blunt force trauma caused by hitting the head against areas like the propeller or sides of the boat. Often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other kinds of marine injuries include mechanical problems, such as engine failure or electrical failure such as steering issues, engine failure, and problems with gear shifts. Our NYC boating accident lawyers will look into these cases to determine whether the manufacturer can be accountable for the injuries sustained by accident victims.

Filing a Claim

It is crucial to seek medical attention immediately following a boat accident, you should not offer an account to an insurance adjuster or another party without first consulting with a lawyer. Your lawyer can protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation that you need for your losses.

In order to obtain compensation following a boating accident, you will need to file an insurance claim, or a lawsuit against the party(ies) responsible. It is standard to provide evidence to support a claim for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to the cost of medical treatment as well as other expenses associated with the accident, including the loss of income resulting from missing work. Noneconomic damages include pain and suffering and other intangible losses that may be harder to quantify.

In some cases the maker of a boat or one of its components can be held liable for an accident in the event of a product that was defectively designed or manufactured. 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 it’s not only the person who operates a boat who may be held liable for a crash. The owner of the vessel could be held accountable as well, especially when they are responsible for hiring or training the person operating their craft or if they allow a person who is unfit to operate the boat on their property.