How a Boat Accident Lawyer Can Help You File a Claim

Whether you're injured on the water or in a marina, a New York boat accident lawyer will help you file a claim. They will offer advice and evaluate the strength of your claim, and negotiate with insurance companies.

Most boat accident lawsuits involve negligence. If your attorney can prove that there was a breach of duty, causation or damages, you could receive compensation.

Damages

Boating accidents can cause serious injuries, just as any other type of accident. Drowning, oxygen deprivation, spinal cord injuries, brain trauma, fractured bones as well as electrocution, whiplash and whiplash are just a few possible injuries. A competent lawyer will help you get the compensation you deserve for these losses.

Like car accidents, the case for a boating incident hinges on proving the negligence of the responsible party. Lawyers can conduct a thorough investigation, and take photos of the accident scene and injuries to prove the responsibility. They can also assist you in locating medical records and other documentation that will help you prove your claim. They can also help you learn about comparative liability laws should your situation be affected.

Boating accidents can result in both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are more easily measurable for past and future medical expenses related to your injury. This can include the loss of income due to your injury and any change in your future capacity to work. Noneconomic damages are subjective and can include discomfort and pain and loss of enjoyment life, emotional distress, and many more. A lawyer can help calculate the value of your losses, and make a lawsuit or an insurance claim against those responsible for your injuries. They also handle cases involving government bodies like the Coast Guard or police.

Insurance

When someone suffers injuries from a boating accident, the costs can quickly mount up. Medical bills can easily run into thousands of dollars and, if surgery is needed, the expenses could be much higher.

A personal injury attorney can assist injured victims in obtaining the compensation they need. They can investigate and prepare the necessary paperwork for an accident on a boat. They can also negotiate with insurance companies to receive the maximum amount of compensation.

An attorney who handles boat accidents can determine who is accountable and what insurance coverage each side has. Not all boat owners and operators have liability insurance to protect against injuries. Those who rent or borrow boats should check their own homeowners' and boating insurance policies to determine what insurance they have.

Notifying authorities about boat accidents is crucial. A police report can help establish negligence as well as other facts when filing an action for damages. It is recommended to speak to witnesses in order to get their accounts. It is also helpful to obtain the names, contact information and insurance policy numbers for all parties involved in the accident including the captains of the boats.

Liability

As a boat accident victim, you may be eligible for reimbursement of future and past medical expenses. This includes hospital bills, emergency room services, doctor's appointments therapy sessions, as well as the costs of medication. Your NYC boat accident lawyer will investigate these expenses and will ensure that the full amount of your losses is included in the compensation you receive.

Most injuries in boat accident attorneys accidents are the result of negligent or reckless behavior from the boat's owner or operator. Lack of safety equipment such as lighting for navigation, fire extinguishers or life jackets could cause some injuries to become worse. A claim could also be filed against the 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 vessel, you may be eligible to make a claim under Jones Act. A knowledgeable New York boat accident lawyer will examine the particulars of your situation and provide you with more information regarding this particular law. Your lawyer will also negotiate on behalf of you with the responsible parties and their lawyers, as well as the insurance companies. If a fair settlement is not able to be reached, your lawyer will prepare for trial in order to obtain justice on your behalf.

Time Limits

There are many laws which govern boating and other watercrafts. These laws govern the driving, passing and granting the right of way, among other things. These rules also require that operators remain in a safe place, refrain from overloading or overpowering their vessels and deter risky behavior like weaving into traffic or hopping in the wake. In the event of negligence, the operator or any other party involved in a boating accident could result in serious injuries, and sometimes wrongful death.

A qualified lawyer for boat accidents can guide you through the legal process, assess the potential strength of your case and ensure your rights. They can also assist in pursuing monetary compensation providing medical documentation and supporting evidence.

A case involving a boat accident could take longer to resolve because it is a matter that has to be resolved by maritime law and Boat Accident state personal injury laws. This is because lawyers must gather eyewitness testimony, police reports, and other documentation before negotiations can begin. Pre-litigation negotiation can take anywhere between a few weeks to six months, depending on the complexity of the case. If you are an employee of a commercial fishing vessel cruise ship, sightseeing or Boat accident cruise ship or other kind of worker who is working on boats as part of his or her work, you may be entitled to workers' compensation under maritime law. A NY boat accident lawyer can assist with these claims, as well.