Boat Accident Attorneys

If you were injured in a boating accident that was not your fault, you could be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. These costs could include medical bills, physical therapy and loss of income due to inability to work.

Some victims can also be awarded punitive damages, if the defendant's conduct was reckless and indecent. These types of awards are intended to penalize the defendant and discourage similar behavior in the future.

Personal Injury

While boating accidents can lead to serious injuries, many of them are preventable. Inexperienced and untrained boaters are the main cause of boat accidents along with other careless choices such as operating under the influence, bringing too many passengers, and reckless behavior. The severity of the injuries vary from minor bruises to paralysis due to the brain or spinal cord.

Victims of injuries sustained in a boating incident can get compensation for their medical expenses as well as lost earnings or work while they recover. If their injuries are irreparable they can also claim costs for long-term medical care. Insurance companies often try and offer less money than the victims deserve when estimating a claim's value. An experienced attorney can help to get the highest settlement that is feasible.

A New York City boating accident lawyer will conduct an extensive investigation into the accident in order to collect all relevant evidence. This includes the gathering of crucial documents such as police reports, witness statements, vessel maintenance reports, chemical tests and photographs of the site of the accident as well as property damage. Medical records can also provide important information, including detailed reports of the injuries, expenses, and the cost of future expenses. The lawyer will then bargain with the party at fault or the insurance company to negotiate an equitable settlement.

Maritime Workers' Compensation

Workers on workboats and other vessels, such as supply ships, are exposed to hazardous conditions throughout their employment. They are at risk of being injured not just by cargo or equipment falling but also from accidents on boats caused by the negligence or recklessness of others aboard the vessel.

Seamen are entitled to certain rights under the Jones Act and other federal laws that protect them from employer negligence. They are entitled to full compensation under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. The damages could include medical expenses loss of income, cost of living while recovering as well as pain and suffering and other monetary benefits.

Often, seamen who are injured on a supply maple valley boat accident law firm tugboat, dredger or tugboat barge, oil tanker or cruise or sightseeing boat require more than just workers' compensation to compensate their losses. A New York boat accident attorney can help identify third-party claims an individual seaman may be entitled to including claims of unreliability or the employer's inability to maintain a safe vessel.

Your lawyer will collect crucial documents and evidence related to your claim. This includes medical records, information regarding insurance policies, police reports, and much more. They will then engage in settlement negotiations with the defendant's lawyer and the insurance company on your behalf. If a fair settlement is not able to be reached then they will prepare for trial to present a strong case in the court on your behalf.

Product Defects

While the majority of boat crashes occur because of reckless or negligent actions of the boat operator, there are also many instances where a crash was actually the result of faulty equipment. In these instances, the victims could sue the firm responsible for the product in order to recover compensation. In these cases, a Reston, VA product defect lawyer can help.

Boats and defective equipment can be covered under strict liability, negligence or warranty law. A warranty claim can be based on a breach of implied or express guarantees provided by law, like the New Jersey lemon laws for used cars or the warranties of merchantability or the guarantee of fit and finish under Uniform Commercial Code.

Insurance policies can cover nebulous problems as well. While some consumers suggest an issue is obvious or obvious, courts often require expert testimony from a surveyor or other certified professional to determine if an issue with a mechanical component or any other damage was caused by a hidden condition.

Certain defects are discovered after the suffolk boat accident lawyer is sold. These are usually considered manufacturing defects and are the responsibility of the manufacturer. Others are discovered after a boat is operated and owned and may be the fault of the owner. One instance is when the owner does not empty the engine's water and the water then freezes and damages the motor in the winter.

Insurance

Boating and other water sports are popular in New York, a state with easy access to Atlantic Ocean and many lakes. Like all recreational activities, there are risks and liabilities that are involved.

Injured people can file a personal injury claim or wrongful death suit to recover damages. The damages include medical expenses loss of income, property loss, pain and suffering, diminished quality of life permanent disability, disfigurement and other costs. In cases of gross negligence, the victims could also seek punitive damages.

Insurance companies aren't easy to work with in a boating case particularly when their primary goal is to pay as little as they can. Make sure you are level playing field by hiring a NYC lawyer for injuries sustained in boating who will work with insurers to ensure that all parties are held accountable for their actions.

An experienced attorney will thoroughly look over all evidence that is available, including police reports, medical records and witness testimony. They will then enter into negotiations with both the at-fault person and their insurance company to negotiate a fair settlement. If they cannot agree on an agreement, our lawyers will prepare the case for trial. We are experienced in presenting evidence to support your claim and winning the maximum financial award.