Boat Accident Litigation Boating is a fun and exciting recreational activity that can be dangerous. If a negligent action leads to an accident and their families could be entitled to monetary compensation for injuries and losses. A NYC boat accident lawyer can help injured victims demand the maximum amount of compensation they are entitled to. A claim will include the need for past medical expenses as well as other economic damages. Damages While many people imagine bodies of water similar to the Wild West, there are laws that govern vessels on lakes, rivers and oceans throughout the United States. Boat accidents can trigger many federal and state laws which are considered when determining negligence. For example, if a boat operator was drunk, it could open them up to civil action for negligence. Federal laws also deal with pollution and deaths on the sea. In addition, there are specific maritime regulations like the Jones Act that give injured workers or their families a pathway to compensation that is comparable to workers' compensation in other industries. If a loved one was killed in a boating accident, family members can bring a lawsuit on their behalf to recover damages such as funeral expenses, lost companionship as well as pain and suffering. Families may also seek compensation for past medical bills and future medical expenses. A New York City boat accident lawyer can assist you in determining if you or your loved one was injured during an accident on the boat. A personal injury lawyer can review your insurance coverage as well as the responsible party's boat liability policies to determine what damages you could be entitled to in a settlement or verdict. Additionally, a skilled lawyer can determine if there are any additional parties who may be accountable for the accident such as the manufacturer of the boat or part. Liability In general, boaters who are injured seek compensation to cover medical expenses (past and future) as well as lost income resulting from working absences emotional trauma, and pain and suffering. Most serious injuries involve neck and back injuries as well as brain trauma, broken bones, paralysis and organ damage. In boating accidents, there are a variety of parties that could potentially bear legal responsibility for the collision, including the boat's operator, passengers aboard at the time of the crash, other boats and watercraft involved in the collision, manufacturers of the boats as well as their components or engines and even government agencies responsible for placing buoys to warn of dangerous conditions. A personal injury lawyer will know the rules and regulations of state law as well as federal maritime laws to determine who may be held accountable in the event of a collision. Under the Jones Act a worker on a vessel injured at sea has the same rights to those of workers compensation beneficiaries. Similar to this, sailors who are injured in international waters or the outer continental shelf waters can submit claims under the Jones Act as well as other federal maritime regulations. Families of injured maritime workers as well as families of deceased sailors also are entitled to compensation under state workers compensation laws. Gathering Evidence The evidence collected in the beginning stages of the legal process can help you determine the strength of your case. For instance, taking photos of the scene of the accident can be helpful for determining responsibility as well as establishing how the boating collision occurred. Eyewitnesses can also give crucial information that can support your claim. Medical records are vital for understanding the severity of your injuries, and the damage that resulted from it. The records should contain thorough reports of doctor and hospital visits, surgeries, rehabilitation treatments, as well as the costs associated with these. 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 a common occurrence in boat accidents. These injuries can be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, oxygen deprivation, or blunt force trauma if the head strikes the propeller of the boat. These injuries can have a life-altering effect. Other kinds of marine injuries involve mechanical problems, such as electrical or engine problems, steering problems, and gear shift issues. In these cases, our NYC lawyer for boating accidents will determine if the manufacturer should be held accountable for injuries sustained by accident victims. How to File a Claim While it is important to seek medical attention immediately for injuries following a boat accident, you should not offer an account to an insurance adjuster or another party without consulting a lawyer. Your lawyer can protect your rights and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve for damages. In order to seek compensation following a boating collision you must file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the party(ies) responsible. This typically involves providing evidence to back a claim for economic as well as non-economic damages. Economic damages can include medical expenses and other expenses that result from the accident, including the loss of income resulting from missing work. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering and other intangible losses that are difficult to quantify. In some instances, a boat manufacturer or a part of the vessel can be held accountable for an accident if their product was constructed or designed in a manner that was not safe. https://vimeo.com/709524278 boating accident lawyer can investigate the possibility of product liability and seek compensation from the responsible parties. In some cases the boat's operator might not be held responsible for a collision. Owners of vessels can be held responsible, especially in the event that 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 to use their property.