How a Boat Accident Lawyer Can Help You File a Claim
If you’ve been injured on the water or in a marina or in a marina, a New York boat accident lawyer will help you file an insurance claim. They will give advice to assess the merits 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 be awarded compensation.
Damages
Boating accidents can cause serious injuries, just as any other type of accident. The types of injuries that can result are drowning in the water, oxygen deprivation injuries brain trauma and fractured bones. A good lawyer can help you obtain the amount of compensation you are entitled to for these damages.
Like car accidents. The case for a boating incident is dependent on proving the fault of the party responsible. An attorney can conduct a thorough investigation and take photos of the scene and your injuries to establish the responsibility. They can also help you find medical records for treatment and other evidence to support your claim. They can also help understand comparative negligence laws when they pertain to your particular situation.
Victims could be entitled both economic and non-economic damages for their boating accident injuries. Economic damages are ones that are easier to verified, such as the future and past medical costs for your injury. This can include the loss of income you suffer due to your injury and any change in your future capability to work. Noneconomic damages are more subjective and could include pain and suffering, inconvenience as well as loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional anxiety. A lawyer can help determine the value of your injuries and file an insurance claim or lawsuit against those liable for your injuries. They also handle cases involving government bodies like the Coast Guard or police.
Insurance
The financial burden can quickly grow when someone is injured in an accident on the water. Medical bills can be in the thousands. And, when surgery is required the cost can be higher.
A personal injury lawyer can help injured victims receive the compensation they need. They can conduct an investigation and complete the necessary paperwork in case of an accident on the water. They can also engage with insurance companies in order to obtain the highest amount of compensation.
An attorney for Boat accident Lawsuits boat accidents can determine who is accountable and what insurance coverage each side has. Responsible owners and operators have insurance for liability on boats that covers injuries, but not everyone does. Check your own boating and homeowners insurance policies if you rent or borrow a boat to see how much coverage you’re covered.
Reporting boat accidents to authorities is very important. An official police report can be used to establish negligence as well as other facts in a claim for damages. Also, it is a good idea for you to speak with witnesses in order to get their accounts. Additionally, it is beneficial to collect the names, contact numbers and insurance policy numbers for everyone involved in the accident and especially the owners of the boats.
Liability
As a boat accident victim you may be entitled to reimbursement for future and past medical expenses. This includes hospital bills emergency room services, doctor 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 entire amount of your losses is included in your compensation award.
The majority of injuries that occur in boat accidents result from negligent or reckless behavior from the owner or operator of the boat. The lack of safety equipment such as lightbulbs for navigation, fire extinguishers or life jackets could cause injuries to be worsened. An action can be brought against a manufacturer of a defective boat or an item on the boat, like water skis.
If you’ve been injured while working on a commercial vessel it is possible to make a claim under Jones Act. A knowledgeable New York boat accident lawyer will go over the details of your case and provide you with more information about this specific law. Your lawyer will also negotiate on your behalf with the parties responsible and their lawyers, as well as the insurance companies. If a fair settlement can’t be reached, your attorney will prepare for trial to get justice on your behalf.
Time Limits
There are numerous laws that regulate boating and other watercrafts. These laws govern the driving, passing and boat accident lawsuits granting the right of way among other things. These regulations also require that boaters stay sober, refrain from overloading or overpowering their vessels and avoid risky actions like weaving into traffic or hopping into the wake. A negligent act by the operator or any other party involved in a boating accident can cause serious injuries, and sometimes wrongful death.
A qualified lawyer for boat accidents can guide you through the legal process, determine the potential strength of your case and safeguard your rights. They can also aid you in pursuing monetary compensation providing medical documentation and supporting evidence.
Because a case involving a boat collision is governed by maritime law, as well as state personal injury law it can take longer to resolve than an auto accident claim. This is due to the fact that an attorney must collect eyewitness testimonies and police reports, and other documents, before negotiations can start. Negotiations in the pre-litigation phase can last anywhere between a few weeks to six months, based on the complexity of the case. If you are an employee of a commercial fishing vessel cruise or sightseeing vessel or any other type of worker who is on a boat as part of their work, you may be eligible for workers compensation under maritime law. A NY boat accident lawyer is able to represent you in the claims of these types as well.