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Boat Accident Litigation

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

A NYC boat accident attorney can assist injured victims to receive the full amount they deserve. A claim could include past medical expenses, along with other economic damages.

Damages

While many people associate bodies of water with the Wild West in the United States, there are laws that govern boats on rivers and lakes as well as oceans. Boat accidents can be governed by multiple federal and state laws that are taken into consideration in determining if negligence took place. For example, if a boat operator was drunk, it could make them vulnerable to civil litigation for negligence. There are also federal laws that deal with pollution and deaths at sea. There are also maritime regulations, such as the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with similar compensation pathways to other industries.

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

If a boat accident has caused injuries to you or your loved ones If you or your loved ones were injured, a New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you in determining what type of damages you might be entitled to claim. A personal injury attorney can examine your insurance policy as well as the boat accident attorneys liability policies of the responsible party to determine the compensation you may be eligible to receive as part of a settlement or jury verdict. In addition, an experienced lawyer can determine if there are any additional parties that may be liable for the accident, including the manufacturer of the defective boat accident lawyers or component.

Liability

Generally, injured boaters pursue damages to cover medical expenses (past and expected), lost income due to the time they miss from work or pain and suffering emotional trauma, and damages to their boats. Injuries that are serious include neck and back injuries and brain traumas, as well as broken bones and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve a variety of people who could be held responsible for the crash. These include the operator of the boat, passengers aboard at the time of the collision as well as the other watercraft or boats involved, the manufacturers of boats and their components, engines and government agencies that place buoys to alert people of dangers. A personal injury lawyer will be aware of the rules and regulations of state law as well as federal maritime laws to determine who might be liable for a crash.

Under the Jones Act a worker on a vessel who is injured at sea enjoys the same rights to those of workers compensation beneficiaries. Additionally, 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 injured as well as the families of sailors who died.

Gathering Evidence

The evidence gathered during the initial stages of the legal process could aid in determining the strength of your case. Photographing the scene of the accident can help determine the extent of liability and determine how the boating incident occurred. Eyewitnesses also can provide crucial information that can support your claim.

Medical records are crucial for understanding the severity of your injuries and the damages that resulted. The records should include thorough details of hospital and doctor visitations and surgeries, rehabilitation treatments as well as the expenses associated with them. You should document changes in your income and employment capacity, as well in any other losses that are not financial.

The spinal and brain injuries are common in boat collisions. These injuries can be caused by oxygen deficiency carbon monoxide poisoning, or blunt force trauma that results from hitting the head on areas like the propeller or side of the boat. Most often, these injuries are life-changing.

Other types of maritime injuries involve mechanical failure that can result from electrical or engine failure, steering system malfunction and gear shift problems. In these instances our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will determine if a manufacturer should be held accountable for injuries sustained by accident victims.

How to File a Claim

It is crucial to seek medical attention for injuries immediately following a boating accident but you should not provide an account to an insurance adjuster or any other party without first consulting with a lawyer. Your lawyer will protect your rights and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve for any damages.

To seek compensation after a boating accident it is necessary to file an insurance claim or an action against the party(ies) responsible. This usually includes presenting evidence to support a claim for financial and non-economic damages. Economic damages include the costs of medical treatment and other expenses related to the accident, such as lost earnings from work missed. Noneconomic damages include pain and suffering, as well as other losses that are more difficult to quantify.

In certain instances the boat manufacturer or a component of the vessel can be held responsible for an accident if their product was created or manufactured in a manner that was not safe. A New York boating accident lawyer will investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the parties responsible.

In certain instances it's not only the operator of a vessel who could be held responsible for an accident. The owners of boats can also be held accountable, in particular when the owner is responsible for hiring and training the person who operates their vessel, or in the event that a person who isn't fit to operate a craft is allowed on their property.