If a careless or reckless boater caused your New York boating accident, you may be eligible to file an insurance claim or civil suit to recover money to pay for the losses you suffered. If another boater failed to follow all applicable laws and safety protocols and this led to your crash, a boating accident lawyer in Holbrook, Long Island, can likely hold them liable for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.
At Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C., we know that even seemingly minor accidents on the water can lead to devastating injuries. We have helped our clients recover thousands of dollars from negligent boaters, getting them reimbursement for medical care, the repair or replacement of their boat, and their wages from the work they missed. Call us today at 631-600-0000 for a free consultation about your case.
Who Is Liable for My Boating Accident Injuries?
Boaters who make careless mistakes or otherwise act negligently are the primary cause of most accidents. New York law exempts all boaters born before May 1, 1996, from undergoing boater safety training. Boaters without proper safety training are a leading cause of accidents on the water—especially if they lack experience or operate a vessel while intoxicated.
Boat owners and operators accept an obligation to operate their craft in a safe way. They must follow all applicable laws and behave in a way that does not put passengers or other boaters at an unreasonable risk. They must also maintain their vessel, carry appropriate life vests for all passengers, and exercise due caution when there are others in the water nearby.
If a boat operator fails to do any of these things and this causes injuries, this is negligence. We can hold a negligent boat owner or operator liable for the financial losses victims suffer in an accident they cause. Occasionally, a rental company, another boat owner, or a parts manufacturer might be at fault for an accident. In most cases, though, it is the individual owner or operator of a boat who caused the crash.
Our attorneys know what it takes to win a boating accident claim. We will investigate what caused your accident, identify the liable parties, prove negligence, demonstrate the full value of your damages, and fight for the compensation you deserve. We can help you file a claim to recover your accident-related losses, including any non-economic losses like pain and suffering.
How Can I Get Fair Compensation for My Injuries After a Boat Crash?
In most cases, we can recover compensation for your boating accident injuries by pursuing a liability claim based on the at-fault boat owner’s insurance policy. Often, homeowners’ insurance coverage extends to boats that meet their size and use restrictions. This includes most hobby and general recreation crafts, as well as small fishing and ski boats. If the at-fault party’s homeowners’ insurance covers their boat, we can collect evidence, file a claim, and often negotiate a fair out-of-court settlement with the insurance company.
Most owners of larger crafts, high-performance boats, and commercial vessels carry a separate liability policy. If they do not have insurance at all, we can file a personal injury lawsuit. However, we try to avoid this unless we have some reason to believe they can afford to pay out the assets you need from their own personal wealth.
We also recommend all boaters carry an uninsured boater’s protection policy on their craft. This policy can be a lifesaver when the at-fault boater has little money and no liability insurance.
Depending on the details of your case, we can take action to help you recover the full amount of compensation you deserve. We will explain the laws and doctrines applicable to your case in a way you can understand, so you can feel confident in the process we use to get the money you need.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover with a Holbrook Boating Accident Claim?
When we file a personal injury suit or file a third-party liability claim on behalf of a client, we need to put in a lot of behind-the-scenes work before we ever approach the insurance company or file with the court. During this process, we will determine how much your case is worth by gathering documentation of your economic losses and non-economic losses.
Common economic losses we identify for our clients include:
- Medical bills;
- Rehabilitation and therapy expenses;
- Prescription medication;
- Future and ongoing care costs;
- Lost wages and lost income, if you are unable to return to work;
- Out-of-pocket costs;
- Property damage; and
- Other related expenses.
Non-economic losses are more difficult to add up, because there are no receipts outlining exactly how much money your pain and suffering cost you during your recovery. We use special formulas to put a price on these losses, usually using the severity of your injuries and the impact they have on your everyday life as evidence.
While it is impossible to know how much your claim may be worth without discussing your specific case, there are some situations that generally garner larger settlement offers. If you suffered severe trauma, such as a traumatic brain injury, your claim’s value should include enough money to pay for any long-term medical care you will need in the future. If a loved one died in the boat crash, we can file a wrongful death claim to pursue compensation for the significant losses your family now faces because of the accident.
How Can I Reach a Boating Accident Lawyer in Holbrook, Long Island?
The legal team from Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C., can help you get the money you need and deserve after suffering injuries in a Holbrook boating accident. We will identify the liable party or parties who caused your crash and pursue an insurance claim or a civil lawsuit to recover compensation on your behalf. We offer free case evaluations to all accident victims and handle these cases on a contingency fee basis. You do not pay any legal costs unless we get money for you. Call us today at 631-600-0000 to get started.
