The New York City metropolitan area sees thousands of people using boats, jet skis, and other watercraft on a regular basis. Altogether, the state of New York has more than 23,000 registered boat owners while New Jersey is home to more than 13,000.
Many people enter the numerous bodies of water across our state all summer long for both travel and recreation. Although most of the time, people are able to enjoy the water without any issues, sudden and unexpected accidents happen in the blink of an eye.
When the fun in the sun on the family boat turns from good to bad because of the carelessness of other New York and New Jersey boaters, you need somewhere to turn to get your questions answered. Fortunately, you can trust the New York/New Jersey boating accident lawyers at MetroLaw.com.
With over 30 years of successful personal injury litigation from our Newark, New Jersey, and New York offices, our attorneys know the ins and outs of handling boating accident claims and are dedicated to serving every client with compassion, respect, and understanding. Let us help you through this difficult time.
Boating accidents involving objects and other boats are some of the most commonly reported incidents in New York and New Jersey. These types of accidents that continue to impact the lives of people across the area frequently involve a wide variety of watercraft. In order to better understand watercraft accidents and how they occur, it is important to know the many types of vessels that can be involved in a sudden crash.
Some of the most common watercraft involved in crashes in our area include:
Depending on the type of vessel, a boat accident can turn into a mass casual event instantly. These tragic accidents often result in severe injuries and the loss of life for a lot of people. No two accidents involving watercraft are alike, and it is important to understand the cause of a boat accident, the types of accidents that take place, and how an accident can impact you.
Whether your boating accident was caused by another boat operator’s inexperience, drunkenness, or just blatant carelessness, you may have a valid claim. This is particularly true if the accident injured you or someone on your watercraft, and if you were in no way at fault. Among the most frequent causes of boat accidents are:
Additionally, the three most common types of New York and New Jersey boat accidents are collisions with other vessels, collisions with fixed objects such as a pier, and passengers falling overboard. Other common types of accidents are skier mishaps and capsizing.
New Jersey is in close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. This makes New Jersey an excellent place for residents and travelers to enjoy the open water. There are also a variety of inland water opportunities as well. Some of the most common locations of boat accidents include:
It is all-too-sad but true that at any time, a fun day on the water can suddenly turn into a tragedy. Whether you’re going out with friends and family or hiring a boat operator to take you out onto the ocean, it is crucial that safety is a top priority for everyone involved in the activity.
Given the drastic increase in the number of people out on the water, there is now a much greater risk of being involved in an accident while using a watercraft. In New York and New Jersey, we continuously see a variety of accidents involving many kinds of boats. Some of the most common types of accidents include:
These and other types of watercraft accidents present unique challenges for victims. Unlike accidents involving cars and other vehicles, boat crashes can take place far from shore. Victims who are harmed in boat accidents face the additional challenges presented by water and sea life. Should you suffer injuries as a result of a boat accident, you must reach out to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. You may have legal options available to help you move forward.
Injuries from Boat Accidents
Reports from the United States Coast Guard show that more than 2,600 people are injured each year in boat accidents across the United States. We see many accidents take place right along the New Jersey shoreline.
Victims who are involved in boat accidents often sustain severe injuries. The type of injury usually depends on how victims incur them.
There are usually three ways that victims are injured in boat accidents. These include:
Some of the most common injuries suffered by victims of boat accidents include:
Victims who become trapped underwater are at risk of suffering anoxic brain injuries. The lack of oxygen to the brain can cause irreversible brain damage for victims that can continue to impact their health and wellbeing indefinitely.
When looking for a lawyer, look for someone who is experienced in handling boat accident claims and who works on a contingency basis (which means he or she gets paid only after getting you compensation for your damage and injuries).
Depending on the type of accident you were in, there are various parties who may assume liability for your resulting injuries and damages. Liable parties will be determined by whether you were involved in a recreational boating accident or a commercial boating accident. Understanding the differences will help you understand the legal options available for you.
Accidents on Recreational Boats: When traveling on recreational boats, the operator has a duty to provide care and ensure the safety of all passengers on board. Federal regulations further require that owners of recreational boats carry mandatory safety equipment, like vests. Boats must also be in compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
Wave runners, jet skis, and other personal watercraft devices can elevate the chances of injuries. These watercraft are designed to operate at high speeds and to be easy to maneuver. However, it is crucial that operators are experienced and know how to use them correctly. Negligent operators can crash into objects, swimmers, and other watercraft.
Accident on Commercial Boats: Some common types of commercial watercraft include:
Commercial boat operators are generally held responsible for the safety of each customer and passenger on board. When passengers are injured while onboard, they may be able to file a legal claim against various parties. Some liable parties include:
If you suffered an injury while working on a commercial watercraft, you may be able to file a legal claim under New Jersey workers’ compensation laws. In some instances, the Federal Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Benefits may be available to help you cover the costs you face.
Regardless of the type of accident you were involved in, if a defective part or malfunctioning vessel is the cause of your crash, you may be able to file a legal claim against a negligent manufacturer, retailer, or another party. Our New Jersey boat accident lawyers at MetroLaw.com can review the circumstances surrounding your accident and help you seek financial compensation from all liable parties.
When victims are injured in boat accidents, they are often forced to undergo extensive medical care. Dealing with painful injuries is only part of the battle. The mental and emotional consequences can be unbearable for both victims and their families. To make matters even worse, victims often face towering financial consequences that can be extremely challenging to deal with.
It is important to know that victims have legal options that can help them obtain financial compensation. Being awarded full compensation can greatly help cover the variety of damages that you face after an accident.
Some of the damages that victims harmed in boat accidents can recover compensation for include:
Victims who are harmed in boat accidents must take legal action within the state’s statute of limitations. When accidents take place in the state of New York, victims have a period of three years to file legal actions against at-fault parties. In New Jersey, the statute of limitations provides a period of two years for victims to file a legal claim. The statute of limitations begins to toll on the day the accident occurred.
Seeking the guidance of a skilled and aggressive legal team can improve your chances of maximizing your recoveries for compensation following your accident. Our seasoned legal team will help you to review the circumstances surrounding your accident and develop the strongest case possible to fight for the justice you are owed.
Every year, hundreds of people across the United States lose their lives in boating accidents. Thousands more are left with serious injuries that negatively impact their abilities to work, live, and simply enjoy various activities.
Accidents involving watercraft can take place for a variety of reasons. If negligence played a role in your boat accident, it is crucial that you reach out to a fearless legal personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to explore legal options available to help you move forward.
Our team at MetroLaw.com knows the laws that relate to your New York or New Jersey boat accident and understand you’re likely facing many challenges as a result of your accident. That’s why we take every step necessary to make your relationship with us convenient and reassuring. Call us today at 973-344-6587 or contact us online.
