The 10 Scariest Things About Boat Accident Legal

Boat Accident Litigation

Boating can be a thrilling and enjoyable activity for the whole family, however, it can also be dangerous. If negligence leads to an accident the victim and their families could be entitled to compensation for the loss and injuries.

A NYC boat accident lawyer will assist victims of injuries to claim the amount of damages they deserve. The claim may cover past medical expenses, along with other economic damages.

Damages

While many people think of bodies of water like the Wild West, there are laws that govern the vessels that travel on rivers, lakes and oceans in the United States. Boat accidents can involve various federal and state laws that are considered when determining negligence. For instance, if the boat operator was drunk, this could make them vulnerable to civil lawsuits based on negligence. Federal laws also deal with death and pollution at sea. In addition, there are specific maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families a pathway for compensation similar to workers' compensation in other industries.

If a loved-one was killed in a fatal boat accident family members may sue for damages, including loss of companionship and funeral expenses. They may also sue for pain and suffering. Families can get money to cover medical bills from the past as well as future treatment.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can help you determine whether you or your loved one was injured during an accident on the boat. An attorney for personal injury can look over your insurance policy and the policies regarding liability for boats of the responsible party to determine what amount of compensation you could be entitled to receive as part of a settlement or jury verdict. A lawyer with experience will also be able to determine if there other parties that could be liable, such as the manufacturer or part of the boat that was defective.

Liability

In general, boaters who are injured seek compensation to cover medical costs (past and future) and lost income due to working absences emotional trauma, and pain and suffering. Serious injuries commonly involve neck and back injuries or brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis and organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve a variety of individuals who could be liable for the crash. This includes the operator of the boat accident attorneys, any passengers aboard at the time of accident as well as the other watercraft or boats involved, manufacturers of boats, their parts, engines, and government agencies that put up buoys to warn the public of dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer will know the specifics of state law as well as federal maritime laws to determine who could 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 that, sailors who are injured in international waters or the outer continental shelf waters are able to make claims under the Jones Act as well as other maritime regulations of the federal government. Families of injured maritime workers as well as relatives of sailors who died have rights under state workers' compensation laws.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence gathered during the initial stages of the legal process could aid in determining the strength of your case. For instance, taking pictures of the scene of the accident can be useful in determining the extent of the extent of liability and how the boating collision happened. Eyewitnesses also can provide valuable information that will support your claim.

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

Injuries to the spinal cord and brain are common in boat accidents. These injuries can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation or blunt force trauma that occurs when the head hits the propeller of the boat. In most cases, these injuries can be life-changing.

Other types of marine injuries include mechanical failures, such as electrical or engine failure in the steering system, as well as gear shift problems. Our NYC lawyers for boating accidents will look into these cases to determine whether the manufacturer is accountable for the injuries suffered 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 before submitting a statement to the insurance adjuster or another party. Your lawyer can help protect your rights, and ensure that you receive adequate compensation for damages.

The legal procedure for seeking compensation for a boating accident is to file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the party or parties that are accountable. It is commonplace to present evidence in support of claims for both economic and noneconomic damage. Economic damages include medical expenses and other expenses incurred as a result of the accident, including lost income due to missed work. Noneconomic damages are those that result from pain and suffering as well as other intangible losses which are harder to quantify.

In certain cases a boat manufacturer or a component of the vessel can be held accountable for an accident when their product was designed or manufactured in a way that was defective. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer will determine if product liability is involved and pursue compensation from the parties responsible.

In some cases there are instances where it is not only the boat's operator that could be held accountable for an accident. The owner of the vessel is liable too, particularly when they are responsible for hiring or training the person operating their vessel or permit someone who isn't qualified to operate a boat on their property.