Boat Accident Attorneys If you've been injured in a boating accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. These costs may include physical therapy, medical bills, and lost income due to the inability to work. Certain victims may be awarded punitive damages if the defendant's conduct was reckless and egregious. These awards are intended to punish the defendant for their conduct and also to deter further incidents. Personal Injury Accidents on the water can cause serious injuries, but a majority are preventable. Untrained and inexperienced boaters are common causes of boat-related accidents as well as other reckless choices like driving under the influence, carrying too many passengers, or reckless behavior. Injuries can vary from lacerations and bruising to permanent paralysis caused by injuries to the head or spinal cord. Victims of a boating accident are entitled to compensation for their medical expenses and loss of income or work as they recover from their injuries. They also have the right to recover cost of long-term treatment when their injuries are permanent. Insurance companies typically try to accept less than the victims deserve when estimating a claim's value. A skilled attorney can assist you in negotiating for the highest amount of compensation possible. A New York City boating accident lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident to gather all evidence relevant. This includes the collection of crucial documents, such as police reports and witness statements, boat maintenance records, chemical tests, and photographs of the site of the accident as well as the damage to property. Other essential information may be obtained from medical records including detailed descriptions of the injuries sustained, expenses incurred, and estimated future costs. The lawyer may then bargain with the party at fault or the insurance company to negotiate a fair settlement. Maritime Workers' Compensation Workers on workboats as well as other vessels, including supply ships, are subject to hazardous conditions during their work. They are at risk of getting injured not only from falling equipment or cargo, but also by boat accidents resulting from the negligence or carelessness of other people on the vessel. Seamen have specific rights under the Jones Act and other federal laws designed to protect them from the negligence of employers. When they suffer injuries from such incidents, they're entitled to full damages under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA). These damages can include medical expenses loss of wages, cost of living during recovery as well as pain and suffering and other monetary benefits. A lot of times, injured seamen on a supply vessel, tugboats, dredgers, barges, oil tanks, cruise boats, or sightseeing vessels require more than workers' compensation in order to compensate for their expenses. A skilled New York boat accident lawyer can help identify other third party claims for which a seaman could be eligible for compensation, including allegations of insecurities and the employer's inability to maintain a safe vessel. Your lawyer will collect crucial documents and evidence that relate to your claim. These include medical records, details about insurance policies, police reports and much more. They will then negotiate an agreement with the attorney of the defendant and the insurance company that you represent. If a fair and reasonable settlement cannot be reached, they will prepare for trial so that they can argue a convincing case in the court on your behalf. Product Defects While most boat accidents occur because of reckless or negligent behavior of the boat's operator However, there are many instances where a crash is actually the result of faulty equipment. In such cases, the victims may seek compensation from the company that produced the defective product by filing a lawsuit. In these cases, a Reston, VA product defect lawyer can help. Boats and defective equipment can be covered under strict liability, negligence, or warranty law. Warranty claims can be due to a breach of implied or express warranties made by law such as the New Jersey used car lemon laws or the warranties of the merchantability and fit and finishing under the Uniform Commercial Code. Insurance policies often cover latent problems as well. Although some people believe that an issue is evident or obvious, courtrooms frequently require expert testimony by a surveyor or other qualified professional to determine if the mechanical breakdown or another damage was caused by a concealed condition. Certain defects are discovered after a boat has been sold. These defects are usually considered manufacturing defects, and the manufacturer is accountable for them. They are often discovered after the boat is operated and owned, and may be the fault of the owner. One example is the case of a boat owner who forgets to drain the water from the engine, and that water freezes in the winter and causes damage to the engine. Insurance Boating and other water sports are very popular in New York, a state that has easy access to the Atlantic Ocean and many lakes. Like https://vimeo.com/709608914 , there are risks and liabilities that are involved. If boating accidents happen the injured can be able to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim for compensation to pay for their damages. Damages include medical expenses, loss of income, property losses in addition to pain and suffering diminished quality of life, permanent disability, disfigurement and other costs. In cases of gross negligence, victims could also seek punitive damages. Insurance companies aren't easy to work with in a case involving a boat, especially when their main goal is to settle the lowest amount they can. Find a NYC boating accident attorney who will work closely with insurers to ensure that all parties are held accountable for their actions. An experienced lawyer will review all available evidence, including police reports, medical records, and witness testimony. They will then engage in negotiations with both the responsible person and their insurance company to reach an acceptable settlement. If they are unable to come to an agreement then our lawyers will prepare for trial. We are skilled at the presentation of evidence to support your claim and obtaining the maximum financial award.