Boat Accident Litigation

Boating is an enjoyable and thrilling recreational activity that can be risky. If negligence causes an accident the victims and their families may be entitled to compensation for injuries and loss.

A NYC lawyer who handles boat accidents can assist injured victims to receive the amount they are due. The claim may cover past medical expenses, as well as other economic damages.

Damages

Although many people associate bodies of water with the Wild West in the United States, there are laws that govern boats on lakes and rivers as well as oceans. meridian boat accident attorney accidents can trigger multiple federal and state laws that are weighed in determining if negligence took place. For instance, if a boat operator was drunk, it could lead to civil lawsuits for negligence. There are federal laws that deal with death and pollution at sea. There are also maritime regulations, like the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and Columbia Falls boat accident lawyer their families with similar compensation options to other industries.

If a loved one has been killed in a fatal boat accident, the family can sue for damages, including lost companionship and funeral expenses. They may also sue for pain and suffering. Families may also seek compensation for past medical bills and future treatment costs.

A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you to determine whether you or your loved one was injured during an accident on the water. A personal injury lawyer will review your insurance coverage as well as the responsible party's policies on boat liability to determine what damages you could be entitled to receive in a settlement or verdict. A lawyer with experience will also be able to determine if there are other parties that could be responsible, for instance the manufacturer or the part of the bridgewater boat accident lawsuit that was faulty.

Liability

In general, injured boaters seek compensation to cover medical costs (past and future), lost income from working absences emotional trauma, as well as pain and suffering. The most serious injuries are neck and back injuries as well as brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis and internal organ damage.

Boating accidents can involve a variety of parties that could be held responsible for the crash. These include the boat's operator, passengers aboard at the time of the accident, other boats or watercraft involved, the makers of boats, their parts, engines, and government agencies that set up buoys to warn people of dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer will be aware of the details of both state law and federal maritime laws to determine who could be responsible in a collision.

Under the Jones Act a worker on the vessel that is injured at sea enjoys the same rights as workers compensation beneficiaries. Also, sailors who are injured in international waters or in the outer continental shelf waters are entitled to claim compensation under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. The state workers' compensation laws also apply to maritime workers who have been injured and families of sailors who died.

Gathering Evidence

Evidence collected during the early stages of the legal process can help determine the strength and legitimacy of your case. For instance, taking pictures of the scene of the accident can be useful in determining the extent of liability as well as establishing the circumstances of the boating accident. Eyewitnesses can also give important information to back your claim.

Medical records are essential for in determining the severity of your injuries, and the damages that resulted. These records should include detailed reports of hospital and doctor visits as well as rehabilitation procedures, surgeries and the costs associated with them. You should also document any changes in your income and employment along with other non-financial losses.

Injuries to the spinal cord and brain are common in boating accidents. These types of injuries could be caused by oxygen deficiency carbon monoxide poisoning, blunt force trauma caused by hitting the head against areas like the propeller, or on the side of the port allen boat accident law firm. These injuries can cause life-altering impact.

Other forms of marine injuries result from mechanical issues like electrical or engine problems in the steering system, as well as gear shift problems. Our NYC boating accident attorneys will examine these cases to determine if the manufacturer should be held responsible for the injuries sustained by accident victims.

Filing a Claim

It is important to seek medical attention as soon as you notice an accident on the water. However, it is recommended to consult a lawyer before giving an admission to the insurance adjuster or to any other party. A lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation that you are entitled to for the damages you have suffered.

The legal procedure to seek compensation for a boating accident is to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the party or parties that are accountable. It is typical to present evidence in support of an insurance claim for both non-economic and economic damages. Economic damages may include medical costs and other expenses incurred as a result of the accident, as well as lost income due to missed work. Noneconomic damages are those that result from pain and suffering, as well as other losses that are more difficult to quantify.

In some cases the maker of a boat or one of its components could be held accountable for cleveland boat accident law Firm an accident when their product was not properly made or designed. A skilled New York boating injury lawyer can determine if a product's liability is involved and pursue compensation from the parties responsible.

In some instances, it is not just the operator of a boat that could be held accountable for an accident. Boat owners can also be held accountable, in particular when the owner is responsible for hiring and training the person operating their vessel, or in the event that a person who isn't fit to operate a vessel is allowed to use their property.