Commonly Used Evidence in Long Island Boat Accidents

The Long Island waterways are often crowded, especially during the summer months when recreational boaters fill the area. With so much traffic, boat accidents are not uncommon. Of the dozens of incidents that occur each year, many involve injuries.

If you have been injured in a boat accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you can likely file a claim against a relevant insurance policy held by the at-fault party. In order to have a successful outcome to your claim, your dedicated boat accident attorney will use different types of evidence. Here is a look at commonly used evidence in Long Island boat accidents.

Evidence Used to Show Liability

One of the most important questions that must be answered in a Long Island boat accident claim is who was liable. The reason this question is important is because the liable party is generally responsible for compensating those who are injured as a result of their negligence. In boating accidents, the liable party is commonly a boat operator, a company responsible for renting boats or carrying passengers on boats, or a manufacturer of boating parts. In order to prove that this party was responsible, the claimant and their lawyer often use evidence that includes photographs of the damage that occurred to the boat and/or other property as a result of the accident, as well as eyewitness accounts from those who saw the accident or events leading up to it.

Many boats carry a voyage data recorder (VDR), often called a black box. The VDR captures data on the vessel’s systems immediately before and during an incident, including radar activity, navigation and communication equipment, vessel speed, and any alarms triggered around the time of the event. This data often serves as important evidence and may assist in identifying the cause of the accident.

A boat accident lawyer often consults expert witnesses to support the case with technical or specialized insight. These experts may include maritime law professionals, medical specialists, or accident reconstruction analysts who explain complex details and contribute to establishing liability.

Evidence Used to Justify the Claim’s Value

After establishing liability, a claimant’s lawyer must present evidence to support the amount sought in compensation. Injury claims often include financial losses such as medical expenses, lost wages due to the inability to work, and reduced earning capacity in cases involving lasting impairment. Claimants may also pursue compensation for psychological effects stemming from the accident, including physical pain, emotional distress, and a diminished quality of life.

Evidence used to demonstrate the value of a claim may include medical and employment records that document the type and duration of treatment, missed work, and lost income. Statements from family and friends describing changes in the claimant’s behavior may help illustrate the injury’s impact, as can personal journals detailing treatment, ongoing pain, and other effects.

Contact Goldstein & Bashner to Learn About The Evidence in Your Long Island Boat Accident Case

Do you need to talk with an experienced Long Island boat accident lawyer about questions you have about your case? Let our team answer your legal questions, explain the claims process, and tell you about the services we may provide to assist you, including gathering the commonly used evidence in Long Island boat accidents. Contact us for a free case evaluation.