New York State takes boating safety seriously, but it did not crack down on careless and reckless boaters until the mid-90s. That means many boaters on area waterways have no formal safety training. In addition to the lack of training, alcohol also plays a role in far too many boating accidents.
If a negligent boater caused you to suffer injuries, a boating accident lawyer in Bayport, Long Island could help you file a claim and recover compensation to pay for your losses. Call Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C. at 631-600-0000 today for a free case review.
Who Is Financially Responsible for My Boating Accident Injuries?
When someone purchases a boat or sign a rental agreement, they are accepting certain duties to their passengers and those they share the water with. Just like when you drive a car, boat operators must follow all applicable laws and act carefully and reasonably at all times. When it comes to watercraft, they must have enough life jackets on board and pay extra attention when in areas with swimmers and smaller or slower vessels.
If they fail to uphold any of these duties and cause an accident, this is negligence. If any of their passengers or those in another boat suffer injuries in this accident, the negligent boat operator is the most likely liable party. We can help you hold a careless or reckless boat operator financially responsible for the damages they caused you to suffer.
Our boating accident attorneys will fully investigate your crash, analyzing how and why the accident occurred and identifying all potentially liable parties. Then, we can hold these parties responsible for the full cost of your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
How Does Negligence Cause Boating Accidents?
Boating accidents most commonly occur because the operator of a boat acts carelessly or recklessly. They make poor decisions or are not paying attention, and hit another craft or a stationary object. Four of the most common ways negligence leads to boating accidents occur when boat operators:
- Are under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Operate their vessels at excessive speeds
- Drive recklessly when close to other vessels
- Become distracted and fail to see hazards
There is also the possibility that another party’s negligence caused your boating crash. Defective parts, improper repairs, or poor maintenance can also cause injury accidents.
What Can I Expect from the Boating Accident Claims Process?
Most boaters have liability insurance coverage as a part of their homeowner’s insurance coverage. Others have a separate liability policy that applies to their boats. This allows us to recover compensation for your boating accident injuries by filing a claim with their insurer. Usually, this leads to settlement negotiations, and we can reach a fair settlement based on your damages. If this is not possible, we can pursue litigation to recover the damages you need.
We recommend investing in uninsured boaters protection. This type of policy will cover your injuries and the damages to your vessel if the boat that hits you is uninsured or underinsured. If you did not have this type of coverage at the time of your accident, we might have limited options to recover the money you need.
Unfortunately, some homeowner’s insurance policies have size and use restrictions, and this limits our ability to file an insurance claim if the boat involved was not a fishing or general recreation vessel. We can, however, file a personal injury lawsuit against the boat owner if necessary.
The best way to determine what you can expect based on the specific details of your situation is to meet with a boating accident lawyer. We can evaluate your case, identify the liable parties, and offer you an overview of your options for compensation.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover in a Boating Accident Case?
We will compile proof to demonstrate your damages, and request full compensation for your losses. We can often recover a wide variety of damages through a third party liability claim or a personal injury lawsuit following a boating accident. This includes a full list of economic losses, as well as some noneconomic damages.
Some of the most common damages we recover for our clients include money to pay for:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Prescription medications
- Future or ongoing care costs
- Lost wages
- Future lost income
- Property damage
- Other related expenses
- Out-of-pocket costs
In almost every case, we request pain and suffering damages for our clients. We cannot prove the value of this type of noneconomic loss with bills or receipts, but we can estimate the monetary value of your emotional damages based on information about the severity of your injuries and the impact they have on your day-to-day life. Pain and suffering damages can even be several times the value of your economic losses.
How Can I Discuss My Case with a Boating Accident Lawyer in Bayport, Long Island?
If you suffered injuries in a boating crash, the personal injury lawyers at Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C. can help you navigate the complex process to file a claim and negotiate a settlement, or file a lawsuit on your behalf. Call us today at 631-600-0000 to schedule a free case review.
