How to File a Boat Accident Lawsuit The consequences of boating accidents can be quite a bit A personal injury lawyer can help you determine who could be responsible and help you seek compensation In general, as in motor vehicle accidents, it's important to prove that the negligent person violated their duty of care, and this is the reason for your injuries Your lawyer must gather evidence to support your case Damages The most common damages that result from boating accidents are medical costs loss of income, the pain and suffering The severity of your injuries will determine how much you can receive in a settlement or jury verdict Amounts for catastrophic injuries that include traumatized brain injury or spinal cord damage or permanent disfigurement tend to be higher Medical expenses can include ambulance charges, hospital bills, doctor's appointments, physical therapy, medication, and other expenses Your attorney will establish your past and future medical expenses In certain states, you may also be awarded damages for future losses that are related to your injuries https//vimeocom/709657290 could include expenses for an aide at home or additional physical therapy appointments, as well as loss of future earning capability Liability can be established easily if the boat operator or owner failed to maintain their vessel or provide it with sufficient safety equipment If the boat didn't have whistles, flares or fire extinguishers, it is likely that they contributed to the accident A personal injury lawyer can help fulfill your burden of proof by assembling evidence, such as pictures or videos of the accident scene witnesses' statements, medical records of your injuries Your lawyer can also contest allegations that you were partially to blame for the accident Expert Witnesses In any personal injury matter, having a network of established experts who can provide evidence is the best way to prove the claim for compensation Expert witnesses are highly skilled professionals with specialization in their field They can show the cause of an accident They are typically paid for their opinions and are able to add a lot of weight to a case A marine engineering expert witness For instance, a marine engineering expert witness can recreate the events that caused a boating incident through analyzing evidence, such as speed calculations and collisions triggered by visibility They can also testify on whether safety regulations were followed, or if any were not A medical professional is a second important expert witness They can testify about the extent of your injuries and their long-term consequences They can also provide an explanation of how your life will change due to these injuries, which could impact the amount of damages you can claim Expert witnesses in admiralty and maritime can analyze the causes of accidents involving recreational boats, personal watercrafts and commercial ships They also can provide evidence and analysis of maritime laws, such as those that govern classification of ships surveying, design, and classification Shared Fault Just as a negligent or careless driver can cause a catastrophic accident in a car, an impaired boat operator can put multiple people, including themselves and their passengers, at risk of serious injuries In the event of a boat accident, it's important for the injured party to seek compensation from all responsible parties After any boat crash it's crucial to ensure everyone is safe and receives immediate medical attention, if needed When possible, you should collect any information regarding the incident like contact details from witnesses, pictures of the scene, as well as the names and contact numbers of any other boaters or owners who were involved in the collision It's also important to file a police report with the law enforcement authorities Insurance companies of liable parties request victims of accidents on boats to record their claims An attorney can assist you to not provide information to insurance companies, which could be used to reduce or even cancel your claim A York County boat accident lawyer can collect evidence, eyewitness testimony as well as police reports and photos of the scene of the accident in order to build a solid case for you Most personal injury lawsuits and claims for wrongful deaths must be filed within four years of the incident The sooner you get in touch with an attorney, the more quickly they will begin collecting evidence and building your case Insurance Companies Like car accident lawsuits, a successful personal injury claim requires evidence of negligence This involves proving that the person who caused your injuries has violated an obligation under law and that this breach caused the majority of your injuries Our lawyers will examine the evidence from your boating accident to determine who's accountable and seek compensation on your behalf As soon as possible after an accident on the boat it is crucial to seek medical treatment to treat your injuries A doctor can help you document your injuries and link them directly to the accident It is also essential to take pictures of your injuries, bruises, and wounds and keep a record of them The organization of your documents will speed up claims and help you build an argument that is strong Sometimes, the party responsible for your injuries doesn't have to be present to be held accountable You could, for example to sue the boat maker if you find an issue with the manufacturing process Our team will examine your case to determine if you have an appropriate claim If there's a valid claim against the person responsible our lawyers will begin by filing a claim with the court that includes all relevant details about your accident as well as the damages you are seeking The next step is the discovery process in which both parties exchange information, which includes interrogatories and depositions in sworn testimony The case could be resolved or sent to trial