A Fatal boating accident in New York City claimed the life of a jet-ski operator late last month. EMTs were called to the Harlem River on the afternoon of August 23rd after eyewitnesses reported a horrific accident on the waterway: two jet skis collided at high speeds. The victims were both pulled from the water and emergency workers attempted to resuscitate one man but their efforts were unsuccessful. The individual was declared dead at the scene. The other individual was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
While investigators tried to piece together the collisions, they interviewed eyewitnesses to the collision who said that it appeared as if one of the riders was attempting “tricks” in the river. If so, this could shift liability for the fatal boating accident in New York to that individual. While jet skis are designed to be fast, agile, and fun to operate, those who ride them still bare a great responsibility to operate the machines safely—especially when there are other watercraft and swimmers in the area.
Failure to safeguard the wellbeing of those around you can make all the difference in the aftermath of a collision. Victims (or their surviving family members in cases like this) have the right to seek compensation for their losses from an at-fault party. Those losses can include lost pain and suffering, financial support, funeral expenses, medical expenses, and lost time from work. In the case of a fatality, if the family member was dependent on the deceased individual, they could also be entitled to lost future financial support as well.
The best way to protect your rights as a victim and safeguard your claim to compensation is to speak with an experienced boating accident attorney in New York City as soon after your accident as possible. Doing so can pave the way for a more successful financial recovery process and help you avoid making mistakes that could cost you a significant portion of the compensation you’re entitled to.
Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel at 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 today for a free consultation.