New York Boat Accident Law A New York boat accident lawyer can assist you in getting compensation for your physical and mental discomfort, loss of enjoyment of life scarring, medical bills future medical expenses and lost wages. You can also seek compensation for the loss of a loved one. The degree of fault can be determined applying the principles of proximate causes which include the pre-eminence of the injury or loss. A competent attorney will look into the facts and determine potential liable parties. Ferry Boat Accidents Ferry boats carry people from one location to another across rivers, lakes, and other waterways. When they travel on navigable waters, these commercial vessels must adhere to the guidelines and rules of the Coast Guard. This means checking their equipment for mechanical problems and ensuring there are adequate personal floatation devices aboard for all passengers in the event of a major accident. The captain of a ferry boat is also responsible for safely controlling the vessel. If the captain engages in reckless or negligent behavior it could be grounds for a lawsuit against him or her. Passengers and crew members can suffer injuries while on a ferry boat due to various factors. Accidents involving slips and falls can occur on the steps leading to or off the ferry, as well as on other surfaces inside the boat. These accidents can cause broken bones, concussions or head trauma. There is also the possibility of a person falling overboard if the proper safety measures are not in place or the boat is shook due to weather conditions. If you are injured on a ferry, you can sue the company for violations of maritime and admiralty law and workers' compensation. Your lawyer can determine who is responsible for your injuries and ensure that you are compensated for all your losses. Personal Watercraft Accidents The injuries suffered by passengers on personal waterscrafts such as Jet Skis and WaveRunners may be minor or even severe injuries that can result in traumatic brain injury. Direct collision with another vessel, or an fixed object is the most frequent cause of serious injuries. PWC collisions are quite common particularly with other personal watercrafts as well as speeding boats. Inexperienced operators are often not able to assess their speed or distances, leading to head-on collisions that could cause various injuries, including neck and back pain, traumatic brain injuries spinal cord injuries paralysis, and death. Intoxicated or reckless drivers speed and pilot their personal watercrafts in reckless manner. These accidents may also be caused by defective products as certain personal watercrafts feature pump-jet engines that suck up and release water at very high speeds. If you or someone close to you was injured in an accident on the water, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. Photographing your injuries and bruises, compiling a journal entry with important details about the incident, and collecting the names of witnesses can all help to establish liability and evidence in your case. It is essential to seek medical care immediately, as some injuries like head injuries that are traumatic may not show up through an X-ray or other diagnostic tests for days or even weeks following the accident. Boating https://vimeo.com/709670499 on Navigable Waterways When a boating accident occurs on navigable waterways, it can fall under federal maritime law. This could be due to the fact that the body of water in question is currently utilized for interstate or foreign commerce or because the accident was in a region that is capable of being used for this purpose in the near future. In these cases the state tort law may be a possibility. It is important to talk with a personal injury attorney experienced in this type of situation to determine which laws apply. It is likely that there was negligence involved regardless of whether the incident occurred on a private or public vessel. In many cases it is the boat's driver. Boats require certain skills to operate safely and are not a secure form of transportation if someone is not equipped with the right qualifications or experience. In other cases, the negligence of a person could be the cause. This is especially true if the person was reckless or in a way that was criminal. A state agency may also be held accountable for their negligence in the maintenance or operation of the waterway through which the accident occurred. A boating accident can be devastating and often leads to serious injuries, even death. If you've been injured during an accident on the water caused by the negligence of someone else's negligence, it is important that you contact an experienced Buffalo boating accident lawyer immediately. Boating Accidents on Non-Navigable Waterways There are many factors that can cause boat accidents. Some of these elements are within a person's control but others could be beyond their control. Some of them are due to boat operator negligence, such as when they speed up or operate their boat beyond their experience level. However, other causes are out of a boater's control like the presence of debris in the water or the weather conditions. Depending on where the accident occurred, either federal maritime law or state tort laws may apply. To be able to be considered a case under federal maritime law, it has to have "nexus" with maritime traditional activities or have a potentially disruptive effect on maritime trade. Collisions between recreational boats are not a part of this requirement, so your case may be subject to state law. When dealing with an accident on a boat it's crucial to speak with an experienced attorney right away following the incident. A lawyer can help you determine if there was any laws that were violated and seek compensation for the damages. If you've suffered injuries in a boating accident, Joye Law Firm can protect your rights and aggressively seek the compensation you're entitled to. Contact us now to begin. Your first consultation is for free. We don't receive any money until you have paid us. We also provide flexible scheduling for your convenience. We are located in New York City, we represent clients throughout the country. To make it easier for you, we have offices in Albany, Buffalo, and Poughkeepsie.