Boat and watercraft accidents are not uncommon in New York. Such accidents happen on both recreational boats that are used for family or personal use, and on commercial vessels. These watercrafts can be a small motorized boat, a sailboat or even a wave runner. Water sports can also be a factor in a boat accident, such as fishing, jet skiing, scuba diving or water skiing. There are also a number of types of commercial boats in New York such as cruise boats, ferries, water taxis, fishing boats, and barges. By far the most common reason for boat accidents is negligence. Boat accidents leave victims with serious injuries such as head, back and neck injuries, leaving victims with substantial medical bills and the inability to work. Because of the legal complexities often associated with boat accidents, if you or a loved one was injured in a boating accident it is good idea to contact an experienced Staten Island boat accident lawyer who has the resource and knowledge to aggressively work to protect your legal rights.
Causes of boat accidentsBoat accidents often include capsizing, passengers falling overboard, collision with another boat or structure, fire, and sinking or flooding. Most boat accidents are avoidable as they are often caused by negligence. Common reasons for boat accidents included:
Other causes of boat accidents include operator error, collisions with other watercraft such as a boat colliding with a jet ski, contact with propellers, defective boat, and overloading of boat.
Typically boat accidents cause victims to fall on the boat, fall overboard, or to be hit by a part of the board. Frequent injuries include broken bones, head injuries, back injuries, spinal cord injuries, cut and burns. Boat accidents frequently leave fatalities.
HypotheticalRaymond and several other people were swimming and playing in a lake. Others were waterskiing and operating boats in the same general area. Marie drove her boat very close to swimmers several times. Finally, she drove so close to Raymond that he was struck by the boats propellers and suffered deep lacerations on his leg, a broken femur, and a bruised hip. With the help if a boat accident lawyer serving Staten Island, Raymond filed a claim against Marie.
Pursuing compensation for a boat injuryVictims who suffer serious injuries in a boat accidents may be entitled to compensation from the at fault party. Such compensation may take the form of payment for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you were injured while working on a boat, you may be entitled to compensation under the Jones Act, a federal law. Compensation comes in the form of medical care and a daily allowance based on your lost wages. Even if you are entitled to benefits under the Jones Act, you may still have the right to sue your employer if your employer's negligence caused your injuries.
Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & AssociatesBoat accident cases are extremely complicated and may involve state, federal as well as international law. The law governing your case will depend on several factors including where the accident occurred. If you were injured because another person failed to use due care when operating a boat, it is critical that those who represent you are experienced handling boat accident cases. Contact a boat accident lawyer in Staten Island at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates to discuss the details of your case. Our staff is experienced in handling claims from people injured on a variety of watercraft including fishing boats, water skis, cruise ships, jet skis, commuter ferries, and sailboats. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.