A Boat Accident Lawyer Can Help You File a Personal Injury Claim
A New York boat accident lawyer can assist you with filing an injury claim to recover damages for your losses. They will collect important documents, such as medical records and insurance policy information. They may also collect police reports and other details.
Being involved in a boating incident is extremely frightening and can end up being life-threatening. Getting the right legal representation could make all the difference to recovering successfully.
Causes of Boating accidents
The waters of Texas are a recreational treasure that range from lakes and rivers to ship channels and the Gulf of Mexico. The water can be dangerous. A boat accident can cause serious injuries, or even death for victims and their families.
Like driving a car, which requires lots of attention and responsibility just like operating on a boat. Anyone who attempts to operate a vessel under the influence alcohol or drugs or prescription medications puts everyone aboard in danger.
Other reckless actions of skiers or passengers could result in fatal accidents on the water. For instance, slipping overboard is among the most common causes of fatal boating accidents. Speeding also contributes to many accidents on boats. Similar to driving, boating at high speeds puts both the boat operator and passengers at risk of collisions with other vessels or other hazards.
Another common cause of boat accidents is failure of equipment. Similar to cars, boating equipment must be regularly inspected and maintained. If this isn’t the case, equipment failure can cause serious injuries. A boat’s equipment that is not working properly could be the result of manufacturing or design faults. If this is the case those who have suffered injuries might be able to file strict product liability claims against the responsible party.
Types of injuries
The injuries sustained in a boating incident can vary greatly based on the nature of the accident and the severity of it was. The most frequent types of injuries include head trauma and spinal cord injuries and lacerations.
Since there aren’t any seatbelts on boats, passengers are tossed about the boat in an accident, making them more vulnerable to injuries to the spine and neck. The force of impact from an object can cause brain injuries including concussions and traumatic brain injuries.
The injuries to the spinal cord can have devastating consequences. They are a frequent accident in boating accidents. A spinal cord injury may result in complete or partial paralysis. The lower regions of the spine could obstruct your ability to move your arms and legs.
Lacerations can be a result of boating accidents of being struck by a propeller or hitting another vessel. The sharp edges of debris resulting from a collision can pierce the skin, causing severe blood loss.
Electrical injuries are commonplace on boats because they use a lot of power for equipment and systems. When a boat is not well maintained or if it is in water that is not drained, people are at risk of being electrocuted. This is particularly hazardous for boat owners and passengers.
Compensation for injuries
You could be entitled to substantial damages from the vessel or owner responsible for your injury, depending on the severity and amount of the accident. This includes medical expenses and lost wages and loss of future earning potential, pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement and more. You may also receive punitive damages if the reckless boater’s actions were particularly reckless or unintentional.
An experienced lawyer can help determine the value of your boating injury and the associated costs. They can estimate economic damages like medical bills and out-of-pocket expenses, and then add one or two times the amount to cover other damages, such as discomfort and pain.
Many victims are unable work when recovering from a serious boating accident, which could lead to the loss of future earnings. These damages can be recovered through a lawsuit or settling with the party responsible.
An experienced Brooklyn boat accident attorney can also help you file an uninsured/underinsured claim if the at-fault boater does not have adequate boat accident lawsuits liability insurance coverage to cover your injuries. This is done by working with your insurance company, which “stands in the shoes” of the insurer of the negligent boater to seek the compensation you deserve. This can be a complicated process, so it’s important to have an attorney by your side.
Wrongful Death Claims
New Yorkers have a wealth of boating opportunities due to the state’s miles of waterways and coastlines. However, operating a sailboat motorboat, speed boat or other vessel carries with it significant responsibilities. If these obligations aren’t fulfilled because of negligent or reckless actions, serious accidents can result. These accidents can cause serious injuries, even wrongful deaths.
Anyone who is injured in boating accidents can bring a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation for their losses. In some instances victims could be able to bring a lawsuit against more than one party in a boating accident lawsuit based on the facts. For example, if the accident was caused through the negligence or carelessness of more than one person, all parties can be held liable according to their respective share of the blame.
A boating accident could alter the life of an individual in an instant. You must take action quickly to protect yourself and obtain the compensation you deserve.
If you have been seriously injured in an accident on the water it is recommended that you contact a Long Island personal injury lawyer immediately to discuss your legal options. A reputable lawyer can help you file a claim for compensation and hold the responsible parties accountable. It is important to seek medical attention as soon as you can and save all records relating to the incident. This includes eyewitness testimony and police reports, photos and your injuries.