Boat Accident Attorneys

If you've been injured in a boating accident that wasn't your fault, you may be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. These costs may include physical therapy, medical bills and income loss due to inability to work.

Some victims can also be awarded punitive damages when the conduct of the defendant was reckless and egregious. These kinds of awards are designed to punish the offender and deter similar misconduct in the future.

Personal Injury

Although boating accidents may cause serious injuries, a majority of them can be avoided. Boat accidents are often caused by untrained and inexperienced boaters, as well as other reckless choices such as driving under the under the influence of alcohol, transporting many passengers, and reckless behavior. The severity of the injuries vary from minor bruising to paralysis due to brain or spinal cord injuries.

Victims of boating accidents are entitled to compensation for their medical bills and loss of income or work while they recover from injuries. They can also recover the costs of long-term medical care if their injuries are permanent. Insurance companies usually try to settle for less than the victims have earned when estimating a claim's value. An experienced attorney can help ensure that you receive the highest settlement possible.

A New York City boat accident lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident to ensure that all relevant evidence is collected. This includes the gathering of crucial documents such as police reports, witness statements, vessel maintenance records, chemical tests and photographs of the scene of the accident and the property damage. Other vital information can be obtained from medical records, which include detailed reports of the injuries suffered along with the costs incurred as well as estimates of future costs. The lawyer may then bargain with the party at fault or the insurance company for an equitable settlement.

Maritime Workers' Compensation

Workers on supply ships, workboats and other vessels are often exposed to hazardous conditions during the course of working. They are at risk of getting injured not just by cargo or equipment falling and cargo, but also due to boat accidents caused by negligence or recklessness of others on board the vessel.

The Jones Act and other federal statutes protect seamen from employer negligence. They are entitled to full compensation under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. These damages can include medical expenses as well as lost income, the cost of living during recovery, pain and suffering as well as other benefits in the form of money.

Many times, injured seamen on supply vessels such as tugboats or dredgers barges, oil tanks cruise or sightseeing boats need more than workers' compensation to compensate for their losses. A knowledgeable New York boat accident lawyer can help identify other third-party claims that a seaman may be able to claim compensation, including allegations of unreliability and the employer's failure to maintain a safe vessel.

Your attorney will collect crucial documents and evidence related to your claim, such as medical records as well as insurance policy information and police reports, among others. They will then negotiate a settlement with the defendant's attorney and insurance company in your name. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, they will prepare for trial in order to argue a convincing case in the court on behalf of you.

Product Defects

Many boat accidents result from defective equipment. Most accidents on boats result from the negligent or reckless behavior of the boat operator. In these instances, the victims may sue the manufacturer who made the defective product to claim compensation. A Reston, VA, product defect lawyer can assist in these instances.

Defective equipment and boats could be covered by claims based on negligence, strict liability or warranty law. A warranty claim can be based on a breach of implied or express warranties that are created by law, like the New Jersey used car lemon laws or the guarantees of the merchantability and fit and finishing under the Uniform Commercial Code.

Latent defects are typically covered by insurance policies as well. While some people may argue that a problem is evident or obvious but courts typically require expert testimony from a surveyor or another certified professional to determine if the issue was caused by a mechanical malfunction or was caused by an unnoticed condition.

Some defects are found after a Mukilteo boat accident law firm is sold. These are typically considered manufacturing defects and are the responsibility of the manufacturer. Others are discovered after a middleton boat accident lawsuit is operated and owned and may be the fault of the owner. A good example is when a boat owner fails to drain water from the engine, and the water freezes in the winter and damages the motor.

Insurance

In a state such as New York with easy access to the Atlantic Ocean and numerous lakes and waterways, boating and other water recreation activities are common among residents. However, as with most recreation activities, they come with certain risks and liabilities that can affect the lives of the participants.

In the event of boating accidents and people are injured, they can pursue a personal injury wrongful death claim to receive compensation to cover their damages. Medical expenses loss of income, property losses and suffering and pain are all damages. In the event of gross negligence, the victims may also seek punitive damage.

Insurance companies involved in a boating collision case can be difficult to work with, especially since their main objective is to pay you as little as possible. Choose a NYC lawyer for boating accidents who will work closely with insurers to ensure that all parties are held accountable for their actions.

A seasoned attorney will look over all evidence that is available including police reports, medical records and witness testimony. They will then engage in discussions with both the at-fault person and their insurance company in order to negotiate an acceptable settlement. If they cannot agree on a settlement then our lawyers will prepare for trial. We are experts at presenting evidence in support of your claim and securing maximum financial award.