How a Boat Accident Lawyer Can Help You File a Claim

A New York boat accident attorney can assist you in filing an insurance claim if you've been injured on the water, or in a marina. They'll give advice, evaluate the quality of your claim and negotiate with insurance companies.

Most boat accident lawsuits involve negligence. You could be awarded compensation if your attorney can prove the breach of duty and damages.

Damages

Boating accidents can cause serious injuries, like any other kind of accident. Some of the injuries that can happen include drowning or oxygen deprivation-related injuries, brain trauma and fractured bones. A competent lawyer can help you obtain the amount of compensation you are entitled to for these damages.

Like car accidents, an injury involving a boat is contingent on proving negligence of the responsible party. An attorney can conduct an extensive investigation, and take photos of the scene of the accident and injuries to establish responsibility. They can also assist you in locating medical records and other documentation that will prove your claim. They will also help you understand comparative negligence laws when they pertain to your situation.

Victims could be entitled both economic and non-economic damages for their boating accidents injuries. Economic damages are ones that are easier to determined, such as future and future medical expenses for your injury. They can also include losses in income caused by your injuries, as well as any changes to your ability to work in the future. Noneconomic damages can be subjective and include pain and discomfort, inconvenience and loss of enjoyment life, emotional distress and more. A lawyer can help you determine the amount of your damages and bring a lawsuit or a claim against the people responsible for your injuries. They also handle cases involving government entities such as the Coast Guard or police.

Insurance

When someone suffers injuries from an accident on a boat, the financial burdens can quickly pile up. Medical bills can cost to thousands of dollars and, when surgery is required, the expenses can be even greater.

A personal injury lawyer can assist injured victims in obtaining the compensation they need. He or she can investigate the cause of a boating incident, file necessary paperwork, and negotiate with insurance companies to obtain the maximum compensation.

A lawyer for boat accidents can also determine who is at fault and what insurance coverage each person has. Responsible operators and owners have insurance on their boats that can pay for injuries but not everyone has. People who lease or borrow boats should check their own homeowners' and insurance policies for boating to find out how much protection they have.

Notifying authorities about boat accidents is vital. A police report will help establish negligence as well as other facts when submitting claims for damages. Also, it is a good idea for you to talk to witnesses to get their statements. Additionally, it is beneficial to gather the names, contact details and the insurance policy numbers of everyone who were involved in the incident and especially the owners of the boats.

Liability

You may be eligible for reimbursement of past and future medical costs if you are a victim of a boating incident. This includes hospital expenses and emergency room services. It also includes therapy sessions, doctor appointments and medication costs. Your NYC lawyer for boat accidents will work to prove these expenses and ensure that the totality of your losses are reflected in your compensation payout.

Most injuries suffered in boat accidents are caused by negligence or reckless actions on the part of a boat owner or operator. Some injuries are exacerbated by the failure to have essential safety equipment, such as life jackets, fire extinguishers or navigational lights. The claim can be filed against the manufacturer of a defective boat or equipment on board, like the ski.

If you've suffered injuries while working on a commercial boat you could be able to make a claim under the Jones Act. A experienced New York boat accident lawyer will examine the particulars of your situation and provide you with more information about this specific law. Your lawyer will also negotiate on your behalf with the responsible parties and their lawyers in addition to the insurance companies. If the fair settlement isn't reached your attorney will draft a trial on your behalf to obtain justice.

Time Limits

Boating and other watercraft are governed under a variety of laws. These laws regulate driving, passing and ceding the right-of-way among others. These rules also require that operators stay sober, refrain from overloading or powering their vessels, and discourage risky behaviors such as weaving into traffic or jumping into the wake. In the event of negligence, an operator or other party involved in a boating incident can cause serious injuries and boat accident Lawsuits sometimes even death.

A qualified lawyer for boat accidents can guide you through the legal process, evaluate the strength of your case, and safeguard your rights. They can also assist you to seek financial compensation for your losses through the submission of medical records and other evidence to prove your claim.

Because a case involving a boat collision is governed by maritime law, as well as state personal injury laws, it might take longer to resolve than an auto accident claim. It is because an attorney must collect eyewitness testimony, police reports, and other evidence, before negotiations can start. Depending on the nature of your case, pre-litigation negotiations could last from a few weeks to six months. If you are an employee of a commercial fishing vessel or cruise vessel, or any other type of worker who is on a boat accident law firms as part of their job, you could be entitled to workers compensation under maritime law. A NY lawyer for boat accidents can also assist with these claims.