10 Websites To Aid You Become An Expert In Boat Accident Legal
boat accident law firms Accident Litigation
Boating can be an enjoyable and exciting activity to enjoy, but it could be dangerous. If a negligent act leads to an accident and their families could be entitled to monetary compensation for the injuries and losses.
A NYC boat accident attorney can assist injured victims in getting the full amount they deserve. A claim includes the demand for 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 governing the boats on rivers and lakes as well as oceans. Boat accidents can trigger multiple federal and state laws that are taken into consideration in determining if negligence occurred. For instance, if a boat operator was drunk, this could make them vulnerable to civil lawsuits based on negligence. Federal laws also deal with pollution and deaths at the sea. There are also maritime regulations, like the Jones Act, that provide injured workers and their families with a similar compensation options to other industries.
If a loved-one was killed in a boating accident, the family can bring a lawsuit on their behalf to recover damages including funeral expenses, lost companionship as well as pain and suffering. Families can seek compensation to cover medical costs from the past and future medical treatment.
A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you to determine whether you or a loved one was injured during an accident on the water. An attorney for personal injuries can examine your insurance coverage and the responsible party's boat liability policy to determine what type of compensation you might be entitled to in a settlement or a verdict. An experienced lawyer will also be able to determine if there are other parties that could be accountable, such as the manufacturer or part of the boat that was faulty.
Liability
Typically, injured boaters seek damages to cover medical expenses (past and expected), lost income because of time lost from work or pain and suffering emotional trauma, and damages to their boats. Injuries that are serious typically involve back and neck injury or brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis, and internal organ damage.
Boating accidents often involve multiple parties that could be liable for legal responsibility for the collision, including the boat accident attorneys's operator, other passengers who were aboard at the time of the incident along with other watercraft and vessels involved in the collision, the manufacturers of the boats and their components or engines and even authorities responsible for putting buoys to warn of dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer is aware of the ins and outs of both state law and federal maritime laws to determine who might be liable for a crash.
Under the Jones Act a worker on the vessel that is injured at sea has similar rights as workers compensation beneficiaries. Similar to sailors who are injured in international waters or the outer continental shelf waters are entitled to file 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 are entitled to compensation under state workers insurance laws.
Gathering Evidence
The evidence gathered during the initial stages of the legal process could help you determine the strength of your case. For instance, taking photographs of the scene of the accident can help determine the the extent of liability and what caused the boating crash. Eyewitnesses may also provide valuable evidence to aid in proving your claim.
Medical records are essential for in determining the extent of your injuries and the related damages. These records should include detailed accounts of hospital and doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitative treatments, and the cost associated with these. Additionally, you should note any changes to your employment and income capacity as well as other losses that are not financial in nature.
The spinal and brain injuries are a common occurrence in boat accidents. These injuries can be caused by oxygen deficiency carbon monoxide poisoning, or blunt force trauma from hitting the head on areas like the propeller, or on the side of the boat. Most often, these injuries are life-changing.
Other kinds of marine injuries are caused by mechanical issues, like electrical or engine failure, steering problems, and gear shift issues. Our NYC boating accident attorneys will look into these cases to determine whether the manufacturer is held responsible for the injuries sustained by accident victims.
The process of filing a claim
While it is important to seek medical attention immediately following a boat accident, you should not offer a statement to an insurance adjuster or another party without first consulting with a lawyer. Your lawyer will protect your rights and ensure you get the compensation you are entitled to for the damages you have suffered.
In order to obtain compensation after a boating accident it is necessary to submit an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the party(ies) responsible. This usually involves presenting evidence to justify a claim of economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are those incurred as a result of medical treatment as well as other costs associated with the accident, like lost earnings from work missed. Non-economic damages include pain, suffering, and other types of intangible loss that may be difficult to quantify.
In some cases, the manufacturer of a boat or one of its components may be held accountable for an accident in the event that their product was defectively designed or manufactured. A knowledgeable New York boating injury lawyer can investigate whether product liability is involved and seek compensation from the parties responsible.
In some instances there are instances where it is not only the boat's operator that could be held accountable for an accident. Owners of vessels can also be held responsible, especially in the event that the owner is responsible for the hiring and training of the person operating their vessel or in the event that a person who isn't fit to operate a vessel is allowed on their property.