Boat Accident Litigation Boating can be a thrilling and enjoyable activity for the whole family, but it is also dangerous. If a negligent action leads to an accident, the victims and their families could be entitled to monetary compensation for injuries and losses. A NYC lawyer for boat accidents can help injured victims get the amount they are due. The claim may cover past medical expenses as well as other economic damages. https://vimeo.com/709657431 While many people associate bodies of water with the Wild West in the United States There are laws that govern the vessels on lakes and rivers 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. If a boater is drunk, they could be liable for negligence. There are federal laws that address death and pollution at sea. Additionally, there are special maritime laws, like the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families access for compensation similar to workers' compensation in other industries. If a loved-one was killed in a tragic boat accident, the family could sue for damages including loss of companionship and funeral expenses. They can also sue for suffering and pain. Families can seek compensation to pay for medical expenses from the past and future medical treatment. A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you in determining if you or your loved one was injured during a boating accident. A personal injury attorney can look over your insurance policy and the policies governing boat liability of the responsible party to determine what compensation you may be eligible to receive as part of the settlement or verdict of a jury. A lawyer with experience will also be able to determine if there are other parties who may be accountable, such as the manufacturer or a component of the boat that was faulty. Liability Generally, injured boaters pursue damages to recover medical expenses (past and anticipated), lost income due to the time they miss from work as well as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and damages to their boats. The most serious injuries are neck and back injuries, brain traumas, broken bones, and internal organ damage. Boating accidents often involve multiple parties that could be liable for legal responsibility for a crash, including the boat's operator, any other passengers on board at the time of the accident along with other watercraft and vessels involved in the collision, as well as the manufacturers of the boats as well as their parts or engines, and even authorities responsible for putting buoys to warn of dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer will know the rules and regulations of both state law and federal maritime laws to determine who may be liable for a crash. Under the Jones Act, a worker on a boat who is injured at sea is entitled to a compensation equal to that of workers' compensation beneficiaries. Similarly, sailors who are injured on international waters or in the outer continental shelf waters have the right to file a claim under the Jones Act and other federal maritime regulations. The families of injured maritime workers and the families of sailors who have died have claims under state worker compensation laws. Gathering Evidence Evidence collected in the early stages of the legal process can aid in determining the strength and legitimacy of your case. For instance, taking photos of the scene of the accident can be useful in determining the degree of who is responsible and how the boating collision happened. It's also important to obtain evidence from eyewitnesses, since they can provide evidence that supports your claims. Medical records are essential to finding out the extent of your injuries and the damages that resulted. The records should include thorough account of hospital and doctor visitations, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments and the costs associated with them. Additionally, you should record any changes to your income or employment and any other non-financial losses. Boat accidents are usually caused by brain and spinal cord injuries. These types of injuries could be caused by oxygen deprivation carbon monoxide poisoning, blunt force trauma from hitting the head against areas like the propeller or side of the boat. These injuries can cause life-changing effect. Other types of marine injuries include mechanical failures that can result from electrical or engine problems, steering system malfunction and gear shift issues. In these instances, our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will investigate to determine if a manufacturer can be held responsible for injuries sustained by victims of accidents. Making a Claim You should seek medical attention right away following a boating accident. However, you should consult with a lawyer prior to giving an admission to the insurance adjuster or to any other party. A lawyer can help protect your rights and ensure you get the money you need for your losses. In order to seek compensation following a boating collision it is necessary to make an insurance claim or an action against the party(ies) responsible. It is common to present evidence to support claims for both non-economic and economic damages. Economic damages are those incurred as a result of medical treatment as well as other expenses associated with the accident, including the loss of income resulting from missing work. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, and other types of intangible loss that is difficult to quantify. In some cases a boat manufacturer or a part of the boat may be held liable for an accident when their product was created or manufactured in a way that was defective. A New York boating accident lawyer could investigate the possibility product liability and seek compensation from the parties responsible. In some instances it's not just the operator of a vessel who is liable for an accident. Owners of vessels can be held accountable, especially when they are responsible for hiring and training the person operating their vessel or when a person who is not fit to operate a vessel is allowed on their property.