How a Boat Accident Lawyer Can Help You File a Claim

If you've been injured on the water or in a marina, a New York boat accident attorneys accident lawyer will assist you in filing a claim. They can provide advice and evaluate the strength of your claim, and negotiate with insurance companies.

Most boat accident lawsuits involve negligence. If your lawyer can prove that there was a breach of duty, causation and damages, you could be awarded compensation.

Damages

Boating accidents can cause serious injuries, as with any other type of accident. Drowning, oxygen deprivation, brain trauma, fractured bones whiplash, electrocution and whiplash are just a few of the possible injuries. A good lawyer can assist you in getting the compensation you deserve for these damages.

Like car accidents, an injury involving a boat is contingent on proving the negligence of the responsible party. A lawyer can conduct an extensive investigation and take photographs of the scene of the accident and your injuries to establish liability. They can also assist in finding medical records and other documentation that will back your claim. They can also assist you to understand comparative negligence laws in the event that they are applicable to your particular situation.

Victims could be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages for their boating accident injuries. Economic damages are more easily verifiable for past and future medical expenses related to your injury. This can include the loss of income you suffer due to your injury as well as any changes in your future capacity to work. Noneconomic damages are more subjective and may include the suffering and inconvenience as well as loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional anxiety. A lawyer can help you determine the amount of your damages and file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the people responsible for your injuries. They also handle cases involving government bodies like the Coast Guard or police.

Insurance

When someone is injured in a boating accident, the financial burdens can quickly add up. Medical bills can easily reach thousands of dollars and, if surgery is required, the expenses could be much higher.

A personal injury lawyer can assist injured victims in obtaining the compensation they need. They can investigate the root of a boating accident and file the necessary paperwork and bargain with insurance companies in order to receive the most compensation.

In addition, a boat accident lawyer can determine who is responsible and what insurance coverage they have. Not all boat owners and operators have liability insurance to cover injuries. Check your own boating and homeowners insurance policies if you lease or take a loan on a boat, to determine how much coverage you're covered.

Notifying authorities about boat accidents is crucial. A police report can assist in establishing negligence as well as other factors when submitting a claim for damages. Also, it is an excellent idea to talk with witnesses to obtain their statements. It is also beneficial to get the names, contact information and insurance policy numbers for everyone who were involved in the incident including the captains of the boats.

Liability

If you're a victim of a boating accident you could be eligible for reimbursement of the past and future medical expenses. This includes hospital bills and emergency room services. Also, it covers visits to the doctor, therapy sessions, and medication costs. Your NYC boat accident lawyer will be able to prove the costs and will ensure that the full extent of your losses are included in your compensation award.

The majority of injuries that occur in boat accidents result from reckless or negligent behavior by the owner of the boat or the operator. Lack of safety equipment like lightbulbs for navigation, fire extinguishers or life jackets could cause some injuries to become more severe. A claim can be brought against a manufacturer of a defective vessel or an item that is on the boat, like a water ski.

If you've been injured while working on a commercial boat you could be able to submit a claim for compensation under the Jones Act. A knowledgeable New York boat accident lawyer will examine the particulars of your case and provide more details on this special law. Your lawyer will also be the one to lead in negotiation with the responsible parties, their lawyers and insurance companies on your behalf. If a fair settlement can't be reached, your lawyer will prepare for trial to get justice on your behalf.

Time Limits

There are several laws that govern boating as well as other watercrafts. These laws cover driving, passing and ceding the right of way among others. These regulations also require that boaters remain in a safe place, refrain from overloading or overpowering their vessels and also discourage risky behaviours such as weaving into traffic or hopping into the wake. Negligent actions by an operator or any other person involved in a boating accident can lead to serious injuries and even deaths.

A qualified boat accident lawyers accident lawyer will guide you through the legal procedure, assess the potential strength of your case and safeguard your rights. They can also help you seek compensation for your losses by providing medical evidence and other documents to support your claim.

Since a boat accident case is one that is adjudicated under maritime law as well as state personal injury law, it could take longer to settle than an auto accident claim. This is because a lawyer must gather eyewitness testimony, police reports and other documentation before negotiations can begin. Depending on the nature of your case, pre-litigation negotiations could take anywhere between a few weeks and six months. If you are an employee of a commercial fishing vessel cruise ship, sightseeing or cruise ship, or any other type of worker who works on boats as part of his or her job, you could be entitled to workers' compensation under maritime law. A NY boat accident lawyer will be able to assist you with these claims, as well.