Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be an enjoyable and exciting recreational activity that can be dangerous. If negligence leads to an accident the victim and their families may be entitled to compensation for losses and injuries.

A NYC kronenwetter boat accident attorney accident attorney will assist victims of injuries to get the amount they deserved. A claim is the demand for past medical expenses and other economic damages.

Damages

Although many people imagine 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. Jeannette boat accident law firm accidents may be governed by a variety of federal and state laws that are weighed in determining if negligence took place. For instance, if a boat operator was drunk, this could be a cause for civil lawsuits for negligence. Federal laws also deal with death and pollution at sea. There are also maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with similar compensation pathway to other industries.

If a loved one was killed in a boat accident, family members can sue for damages that include lost companionship, funeral expenses as well as pain and suffering. Families can recover money to cover past medical costs and future medical treatment.

If a boat accident has caused injuries to you or your loved ones A New York City ashland boat accident lawsuit accident attorney can help you determine what type of damages you could be entitled to claim. A personal injury attorney can look over 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. An experienced lawyer will also be able to determine if there are other parties who may be liable, like the manufacturer or a component of the boat that was defective.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters seek damages to cover medical expenses (past and anticipated) as well as lost income because of time lost from work as well as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damages to their boats. Injuries that are serious include back and neck injuries, brain traumas, broken bones, and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents typically involve multiple parties that could be liable for legal responsibility for a collision, such as the boat's operator, other passengers on board at the time of the incident, other boats and watercraft 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 to warn of dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer can be familiar with the specifics of both state law and federal maritime laws to determine who might be responsible in a collision.

Under the Jones Act a worker on a vessel who is injured at sea has the same rights as workers compensation beneficiaries. Similar to this, sailors who are injured in international waters, or the outer continental shelf waters have the right to file claims under the Jones Act as well as other maritime regulations of the federal government. State workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers injured as well as the 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 help determine the who is responsible and what caused the boating crash. Eyewitnesses can also provide valuable information that will help you prove your claim.

Medical records are crucial for determining the extent of your injuries and the damages that resulted. These records should include thorough reports of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, and the costs associated with these. You will need to document changes in your income and job capacity, as well with any other non-financial losses.

Boat accidents are typically associated with brain and spinal cord injuries. These types of injuries could result from oxygen deficiency, carbon monoxide poisoning or blunt force trauma that results from hitting the head against areas like the propeller or side of the boat. These injuries could have a life-altering impact.

Other types of marine accidents involve mechanical problems, such as electrical or engine problems such as steering issues, engine failure, and gear shift issues. Our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will look into these cases to determine whether the manufacturer should be held accountable for the injuries sustained by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

While it is vital to seek medical attention immediately for injuries after a boating accident, you should not offer a statement to an insurance adjuster or any other party without consulting with a lawyer. Your attorney can protect your rights, and ensure that you get the right amount of compensation for the damages.

In order to claim compensation following a boating collision it is necessary to make an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the party(ies) responsible. It is commonplace to present evidence in support of claims for damages both economic and noneconomic. Economic damages may include medical costs and other expenses caused by the accident, such as lost earnings due to missed work. Non-economic damages can include pain, suffering, and any other intangible losses that are difficult to quantify.

In some cases, the manufacturer of a boat or one of its parts could be held responsible for an accident when their product was not properly created or manufactured. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer can determine if a product's responsibility is involved and seek compensation from the responsible parties.

In certain instances it's not only the operator of a vessel who may be held liable for the event of a crash. Owners of vessels can be held accountable, particularly if the owner is responsible for the hiring and training of the person who operates their vessel, or in the event that a person who isn't fit to operate a craft is allowed to use their property.