What Is Boat Accident Litigation?
Each year boating accidents are the cause of many injuries. These accidents are more serious because there is no safety belt on the boat and the injuries could be more serious.
Like in a car accident lawsuit, there must be proof of negligence to receive compensation. To establish negligence, a lawyer has to establish that someone else owed you an obligation and the breach of that duty directly resulting in your injury.
The reason for the accident
Following a boating accident the first thing to do is ensure that everyone involved is safe. Once this is accomplished your lawyer will gather important details, such as names and contact numbers for the people involved in the incident as well as eyewitnesses.
The next step is to conduct a thorough investigation into the root of the accident. This will include examining the evidence to determine how the accident took place, as well as any injuries or damages caused by the accident.
Human error is the cause of many boat accidents. If the boater was distracted or driving at a dangerous speed or drunk, or making poor judgement calls during an emergency these kinds of mistakes can lead to disaster.
Other boat accidents happen because of mechanical issues or parts that are defective. If these causes caused the accident your lawyer will investigate and determine if responsibility for the product is at issue.
Other boat accidents can result in drowning or head injuries due to collisions with another vessel or with an object. This can result in a person falling overboard and causing 70 percent of all deaths from boating reported in New York since 2005. These accidents can also be the result of a boat colliding with fixed objects like bridges, piers and rocks.
Damages
While the sum of money won’t bring families back loved ones who were injured or killed in an accident on the water and compensation may aid the families of victims to recover financial losses caused by the accident. A successful claim can pay for medical expenses, lost wages due to the absence of work due to injuries, as well as other costs.
Similar to car accidents, to claim damages for accidents involving boats victims must prove that the person who caused their injuries breached their duty of care and that this breach was the main cause of their injuries. For example an operator of a boat could violate this duty by operating their vessel under the under the influence of alcohol or speeding on the water.
It is important that victims gather the most information they can following a boating crash. This includes obtaining the names and contact information for anyone who saw the accident take place and can provide a witness account. This could strengthen a case in court or with the insurance company.
Injured victims may file a lawsuit for product liability, in addition to claims against the boat owner and operator. An attorney for boating accidents can assist injured victims to determine whether the manufacturer is responsible. In the event that the government is responsible for causing danger in the water, it may be possible to bring a federal maritime claim against them.
Liability
In a negligence case the person who is injured must demonstrate that the negligent actions of another party led to their injuries. This means you have to prove that the defendant was liable to you under the duty of care, that they did not fulfill this duty, and that their breach was the sole cause of your injury.
Anyone who owns a boat is responsible for the safety of its passengers. This includes supplying life jackets, making sure the vessel is water-tight and not driving it at excessive speed. If a boat driver breaches this duty and causes harm to another, they could be held responsible.
Mechanical failures can also be an important cause of boating accidents. For example, a defective engine or electrical system, or a gear shift could cause an accident that is fatal. Your New York boat accident attorney accident lawyer will investigate the circumstances to determine if there is any product liability and hold the manufacturer accountable.
Injured patients can recover the costs of medical treatment in the past and into the future such as ambulance costs as well as doctor bills and hospital treatment costs. They may also be able to claim for nursing care such as medications, nursing and nursing services. Injured victims may be able to claim lost wages, too based on the severity of their injuries and whether they are in a position to return to work. Additionally, you could be entitled to compensation for any pain and suffering you endured in the aftermath of the accident.
Statute of limitations
When we speak of the legality of boat accidents, it is legal term that refers to any incident involving watercraft that causes serious injuries. Like a car crash claim, seeking compensation involves looking into the incident, identifying and evaluating all accountable parties, and then calculating damages owed to the victim. If you are required to make a claim against an insurance company, the process can last from months to years.
Many boat accident law firms-related accidents occur as a result of the negligence of others. Negligence is any action that does not be in line with the standard of care that reasonable people would have applied in a particular circumstance. If it’s a collision with another boat or a stationary object drowning that is fatal reckless actions can cause grave injuries or even death.
Typically the victims of boat accidents have two years to file a civil lawsuit. However, depending on state law and other special circumstances, this deadline may be extended.
A common defense strategy employed by insurance companies is to argue that the injured plaintiff took some responsibility for their own injury. Our NYC boat accident lawyers fight hard to debunk these claims and reduce the amount of blame assigned to you. This will help you receive the highest amount of money possible. If your injury was the result of the negligence of an agency of government and a different set of rules will be in place. These cases typically involve the State of New York. An experienced attorney can help you navigate these specific rules.