How a Boat Accident Lawyer Can Help You File a Claim A New York boat accident attorney will assist you in filing an insurance claim if you've been injured in the water or in a marina. They can provide advice to assess the merits of your claim, and negotiate with insurance companies. The majority of boat crash lawsuits stem from negligence. If your attorney can prove that there was a breach of duty, causation, and damages, you could be awarded compensation. Damages A boating accident can result in devastating injuries, just like any other kind of crash. The types of injuries that can result are drowning in the water, oxygen deprivation injuries fractured bones and brain trauma. A lawyer with experience will help you get the amount of compensation you are entitled to for these injuries. Like car accidents. The case for a boating incident depends on proving the negligence of the party responsible. An attorney can conduct an exhaustive investigation and take photographs of the scene of the accident and your injuries to establish the liability. They can also help find medical records and other evidence to support your claim. They can also assist you know the laws of comparative liability when your situation is impacted. Victims might be entitled to both economic and noneconomic damages for their boating accidents 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 due to your injury as well as any changes in your ability to work. Noneconomic damages can be subjective and include discomfort and pain and loss of enjoyment life, emotional stress, and many more. A lawyer can assist you calculate the amount of your damages and file a lawsuit or insurance claim against those who are responsible for your injuries. They can also handle cases involving government agencies like the Coast Guard and police. Insurance If someone is injured in a boating accident, the financial burdens can quickly pile up. Medical bills can quickly reach thousands of dollars If surgery is required, the expenses could be much higher. A personal injury lawyer can help injured people recover the compensation they need. They can investigate and file the necessary paperwork for a boating accident. They can also engage with insurance companies to get maximum compensation. A boat accident attorney can also determine who is at fault and the insurance coverage each party has. Not all boat owners and operators carry liability insurance to protect against injuries. Check your own boating and homeowners insurance policies if renting or borrow a boat to determine how much coverage you're covered. It is crucial to report any boating accidents to the authorities. A police report is a valid document that can be used to establish the negligence of the boat owner and other details in an action for damages. It is recommended to speak to witnesses in order to get their testimony. It is also beneficial to get the names, contact numbers and insurance policy numbers of all parties involved in the accident including the captains of the boats. Liability You may be entitled to reimbursement of past and future medical costs If you're the victim of a boating incident. This includes hospital bills emergency room services, doctor appointments therapy sessions and costs of medication. Your NYC boat accident attorney will investigate all of these expenses, and ensure that all of your losses are taken into account in the award of compensation. The majority of injuries that occur in boat accidents are due to either negligent or reckless behavior on the part of the boat's owner or operator. Certain injuries are caused due to the absence of essential safety equipment such as life jackets, fire extinguishers and navigational lights. The claim can also be filed against a manufacturer of a defective vessel or an item that is on the boat, such as a water ski. If you were injured while working on a commercial boat, you may be eligible to make a claim under the Jones Act. A New York boat accident attorney will evaluate your case and provide more details about this unique law. Your lawyer will also negotiate on your behalf with the parties responsible and their lawyers as well as with the insurance companies. If an acceptable settlement cannot be reached the attorney will conduct a trial on your behalf to ensure justice. Time Limits There are several laws that govern boating and other watercrafts. These regulations cover driving, passing and ceding the right of way among others. They also mandate that operators remain sober, avoid overloading or causing damage to their boats and prohibit those who are involved in risky practices like weaving into traffic or wake-jumping. Unintentional actions by a boater or any other person involved in a boating accident can cause serious injuries and even deaths. A lawyer for boat accidents will guide you through the legal system, determine the validity of your claim, and defend your right. They can also assist you to get financial compensation for your losses, by submitting medical records and other evidence to back your claim. Since a case involving a boat accident is one that is adjudicated under maritime law, as well as the state's personal injury law, it can take longer to settle than an auto accident claim. This is because a lawyer must collect eyewitness statements, police reports and other documentation before negotiations can begin. Negotiations in the pre-litigation phase can last anywhere between a few weeks and six months, depending 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 that is on boats as part of their job, you may be entitled to workers' compensation under maritime law. A NY boat accident attorney can represent you in these cases.