How a Boat Accident Lawyer Can Help You File a Claim

If you’ve been injured on water or in the marina or at a marina, a New York boat accident lawyer will help you file a claim. They will provide guidance and evaluate the strength of your claim, and negotiate with insurance companies.

The majority of boat accident attorneys-related lawsuits stem from negligence. You may be able to claim compensation if the attorney you hire can show that you breached your duty and damages.

Damages

Boating accidents can cause serious injuries, as with any other type of accident. Some of the injuries that can result are drowning, oxygen deprivation injuries, brain trauma and fractured bones. A competent lawyer can help you in obtaining the compensation that you are entitled to for these damages.

Just like car accidents, the case of a boating injury is dependent on proving the negligence of responsible party. Lawyers can conduct a thorough investigation, and even take photographs of the scene of the accident as well as injuries to prove responsibility. They can also help find medical records as well as other evidence to back your claim. They can also help learn about comparative negligence laws if they apply to your particular situation.

Victims could be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages for their boating accidents injuries. Economic damages are more easily verifiable like past and future medical expenses resulting from your injury. These could also include losses in income caused by your injuries as well as changes to your ability to work in the future. Noneconomic damages are more subjective and can include the suffering and inconvenience and loss of enjoyment life and emotional stress. A lawyer can help you determine the amount of your damages and file an insurance claim or a lawsuit against those liable for your injuries. They also handle cases involving government entities such as the Coast Guard and police.

Insurance

Financial burdens can quickly mount when someone is injured in a boating accident. Medical bills can be in the thousands and, when surgery is required the cost could be greater.

A personal injury lawyer can help people who have suffered injuries receive the compensation they need. He or she can investigate and file the necessary paperwork for a boating accident. They can also engage with insurance companies in order to receive the maximum amount of compensation.

An attorney who handles boat accidents can also determine who is responsible and what insurance coverage each party has. Not all boat owners and operators carry liability insurance to protect against injuries. Review your own boating and homeowners insurance policies if renting or borrow a boat to see how much coverage you’re covered.

Reporting boat accidents to authorities is very important. A police report can assist in establishing negligence as well as other factors when filing an action for damages. Also, it’s an excellent idea to speak with witnesses to get their accounts. It is also beneficial to obtain the names, contact numbers and insurance policy numbers for all parties involved in the accident especially the owners of the boats.

Liability

As a victim of a boating accident, you may be entitled to reimbursement for past and future medical expenses. This includes hospital bills emergency room services, doctor’s appointments therapy sessions, as well as the expenses of medication. Your NYC lawyer for boat accidents will work to prove the costs and will ensure that the full amount of your losses are included in your compensation payout.

The majority of injuries that occur in boat accidents are caused by negligent or reckless behavior from the owner or operator of the boat. Some injuries are exacerbated due to the lack of necessary safety equipment like life jackets, fire extinguishers, or navigational lights. An action can also be filed against the manufacturer of a defective boat or an item on the boat, for instance a water ski.

If you’ve been injured while on commercial vessels, you may qualify to claim a Jones Act claim. A New York boat accident attorney will review your case and provide more information regarding this particular law. Your attorney will also lead in negotiating with the responsible parties along with their lawyers and insurance companies on your behalf. If a fair settlement can’t be reached, your lawyer will prepare for trial in order to obtain justice on your behalf.

Time Limits

There are numerous laws that regulate boating and other watercrafts. These laws govern driving, passing and giving the right of way, among other things. These rules also require that operators remain sober, avoid overloading or overpowering their boats and deter risky behavior like weaving into traffic or hopping in the wake. A negligent act by an operator or another party involved in a boating incident can cause serious injuries or even deaths.

A lawyer who has experience in boat accidents will guide you through the legal system, assess the validity of your claim, and defend your rights. They can also assist you in pursuing monetary compensation providing medical documents and other evidence.

A boat accident case may take longer to settle because it involves issues that are resolved in accordance with maritime law as well as state personal injury laws. It is because an attorney needs to collect eyewitness testimonies and police reports and other evidence, before negotiations can start. Depending on the nature of your case, pre-litigation negotiations could last between a few weeks and six months. If you are an employee of a commercial fishing vessel or cruise vessel, or any other type of worker who works on vessels as part of his or her job, you could be entitled to workers compensation under maritime law. A NY boat accident lawyer is able to represent you in these claims too.