How a Boat Accident Lawyer Can Help You File a Claim

A New York boat accident attorney can assist you with filing a claim if you are injured on the water, or in a marina. They can provide advice to assess the merits of your claim and negotiate with insurance companies.

Most boat accident lawsuits involve negligence. You may be awarded compensation if your lawyer can establish an breach of duty as well as damages.

Damages

Boating accidents can cause serious injuries, like any other kind of accident. Some of the injuries that can occur include drowning in the water, oxygen deprivation injuries brain trauma and fractured bones. A lawyer with experience can help you obtain the amount of compensation you are entitled to for these damages.

Similar to car accidents, the case of a boating accident is based on proving negligence of the responsible party. Lawyers can conduct a thorough investigation, and take photographs of the scene of an accident and injuries to prove liability. They can also help locate medical records to support your treatment and other evidence to support your claim. They can also assist you to understand comparative liability laws when your situation is impacted.

Boating accidents can result in both economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are those that are more easily verified, such as future and past medical expenses for your injury. This could include the loss of income as a result of your injury, as well as any changes in your ability to work. Noneconomic damages may be subjective and could include discomfort and pain, loss in enjoyment of life, emotional suffering, and more. A lawyer can assist you calculate the worth of your damages and submit a lawsuit or insurance claim against the people who are responsible for your injuries. They can also handle cases that involve government agencies such as the Coast Guard and police.

Insurance

When someone is injured in an accident on the water, the financial burdens quickly pile up. Medical bills can add up in the thousands. And, when surgery is required the cost can be more costly.

A personal injury lawyer can assist injured people in getting the compensation they need. He or she can determine the root of a boating accident and then file the necessary paperwork and bargain with insurance companies in order to receive the most compensation.

A lawyer for boat accidents can also determine who is liable and the insurance coverage each party has. Not all boat owners and operators carry liability insurance to cover injuries. Anyone who rents or borrows boats should verify their homeowners' and boating insurance policies to find out how much insurance they have.

It is vital to report any boat accident to the authorities. An official police report can be used to establish the negligence of the boat owner and other details in claims for damages. It is also a good idea to talk with witnesses to get their testimony. In addition, it is helpful to get the names, contact information and insurance policy numbers for everyone involved in the boat accident and especially the owners of the boats.

Liability

You could be entitled to reimbursement for past and future medical expenses in the event that you're a victim of a boating accident. This includes hospital bills emergency room services, doctor's appointments therapy sessions, and the expenses of medication. Your NYC boat accident attorney will help you prove all of these expenses, and ensure that your complete loss is reflected in the compensation award.

The majority of injuries that occur in boat accidents are caused by negligence or reckless actions on the part of an owner or operator of a boat. Inadequate safety equipment such as lighting for navigation, fire extinguishers or life jackets may cause injuries to get worse. An action can also be filed against a manufacturer of a defective boat or a component of the boat, such as a water ski.

If you've been injured while working on a commercial boat you could be able to file a claim under the Jones Act. A New York boat accident attorney will examine your case and provide you with additional information about this specific law. Your lawyer will also be the one to lead in negociating with the responsible parties and their lawyers as well as insurance companies on your behalf. If a fair settlement can't be reached, your attorney will prepare for trial to seek justice on your behalf.

Time Limits

Boating and other watercrafts are governed by a variety of laws. These laws regulate driving, passing and ceding the right-of-way among other things. They also require that boaters remain in a safe place, refrain from overloading or overwhelming their vessels and discourage individuals from engaging in risky behaviors like weaving into traffic or attempting to wake-jump. Inadequate actions of an operator or a third party involved in a boating accident can lead to serious injuries and even deaths.

A skilled lawyer for boat accidents will guide you through the legal process, assess the strengths of your case and protect your rights. They can also assist you pursue monetary compensation for your losses through the submission of medical documentation and other evidence to back your claim.

A case involving a boat accident could take longer to settle because it involves issues that must be determined according to maritime law and state personal injury laws. This is because lawyers must collect eyewitness testimony, police reports and other documentation before negotiations can begin. Negotiations before litigation can last between a few weeks and six months, based on the complexity of the case. If you work for commercial fishing vessels or cruise ship, sightseeing boat, or other type of worker that is working on the boat as a part or for the purpose of working, then you may be qualified for workers compensation. A NY lawyer for boat accidents may represent you in these cases.