On this page
What Is a Boat Accident Injury? Causes of TX Boat Accidents Compensation for Texas Boat Accidents What to Do After a Texas Boat Accident Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat Is a Boat Accident Injury?
A boat accident injury refers to physical harm sustained in accidents involving watercraft such as speedboats, sailboats, jet skis, and other recreational vessels. These accidents can happen due to collisions, operator negligence, mechanical failure, or unsafe water conditions.
Injuries from boating accidents can range from minor cuts and bruises to severe trauma, including drowning, spinal injuries, or traumatic brain injuries, often requiring extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
Keep reading
Texas Boat Accident Injuries
At The Law Giant, we have extensive experience handling boat accident cases and understand the wide range of injuries that can occur, including:
- Drowning and Near-Drowning: Resulting in death or severe brain damage due to lack of oxygen.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Head injuries from impact with the boat or other objects.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spine from falls or collisions, which can lead to paralysis.
- Fractures and Broken Bones: Common in boating collisions and accidents involving water sports.
- Lacerations and Cuts: Often caused by propellers or sharp objects in or around the watercraft.
- Burns: From boat engine fires or fuel-related explosions.
- Hypothermia: Prolonged exposure to cold water, leading to dangerous drops in body temperature.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a boat accident, it’s important to speak with an attorney to understand your legal options and potential compensation.
Causes of TX Boat Accidents
Boat accidents can happen for many reasons, often involving negligence or improper operation. At The Law Giant, we handle boat accident cases involving:
- Operator Negligence: Speeding, reckless driving, or inattention while operating the vessel.
- Boating Under the Influence (BUI): Alcohol or drug use is a leading cause of boating accidents.
- Inexperienced Operators: Lack of training or proper knowledge of water safety and navigation.
- Mechanical Failure: Equipment malfunctions, such as engine failure or faulty steering, can lead to serious accidents.
- Poor Weather Conditions: High winds, rough waters, and storms can increase the risk of accidents.
- Lack of Safety Equipment: Failure to provide life jackets, proper lighting, or other safety measures can result in serious injuries.
- Collisions: Crashes between boats or with fixed objects, like docks, buoys, or rocks.
If your boat accident was caused by someone else’s negligence or faulty equipment, you may be entitled to compensation.
Compensation for Texas Boat Accidents
If you were injured in a boat accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation, including:
- Medical Expenses: This includes emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and any future medical treatment required.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for time missed from work or the inability to return to work due to injuries.
- Pain and Suffering: Damages for physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life caused by the accident.
- Property Damage: Compensation for damage to your boat or other personal property involved in the accident.
- Rehabilitation and Therapy Costs: Coverage for physical and psychological rehabilitation necessary after the accident.
- Wrongful Death: If the accident resulted in the loss of a loved one, you may be entitled to compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other related damages.
We will investigate your boat accident to determine liability and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
What to Do After a Texas Boat Accident
If you’ve been involved in a boat accident, the steps you take afterward can make a significant difference in your recovery and any legal action you may pursue:
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if injuries appear minor, it’s important to get evaluated by a healthcare professional.
- Report the Accident: Report the incident to local authorities, such as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department or the Coast Guard, depending on where the accident occurred.
- Document the Scene: Take photos, gather witness statements, and record details about the accident and injuries.
- Preserve Evidence: Keep any equipment or parts that may have contributed to the accident, such as life jackets or malfunctioning boat components.
- Contact an Attorney: An experienced boat accident lawyer can guide you through the legal process and help you recover compensation.
Keep reading
Representation For Those Injured In Serious Boat Accidents
Boating accidents in Texas are unfortunately common. The many rivers, lakes and of course the Gulf Coast make the water a popular destination. Although many Texans are experienced in the water, the currents and tides are not predictable. In many cases, victims survive the accident, but are drowned by the rapidly moving currents. Another deadly scenario is a victim jumping into the water, attempting to escape a boat fire. They may misjudge the depth of the water and, combined with their jump, cause serious injury.
We Can Help After a Boat Injury
Whether your boating accident is the result of a collision with another boat, an accident on a barge or a defective speedboat, the attorneys at The Law Giant are here to help. We help the victims and their families begin to put their life back together by offering legal advocacy and advice. Our Texas lawyers will work to find the source of the accident so that you can be compensated for your pain and suffering. We understand that the time following a boating accident is difficult, and we offer the compassionate help you’ll need.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Texas Boat Injury Claims
Can I file a lawsuit for a boat accident in Texas?
Yes, if the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence or a defect in the boat, you may file a personal injury claim for compensation.
Who can be held liable for a boat accident?
The boat operator, manufacturer, rental company, or another party may be held liable depending on the circumstances of the accident.
What if I was partially at fault for the boat accident?
Texas follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover compensation as long as you are less than 51% at fault, though your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Can I file a claim if my child was injured in a boat accident?
Yes, if your child was injured due to negligence or unsafe conditions, you can file a personal injury claim on their behalf.
AT THE LAW GIANT,
We Win Big!
A boating accident can be the result of many mishaps. There can be injuries and deaths while working on a barge or commercial boat, or even accidents while relaxing on a recreational boat. Many boating accidents involve collisions with boats. These types of collisions are hazardous not only to the passengers on board, but any swimmers or nearby structures too. Even Jet Skis and personal watercraft accidents can become deadly when operated by intoxicated or inexperienced riders. Because of all of the variables in a boating accident, it is important to seek legal representation when you are injured.
Our Texas injury lawyers can help if you or a loved one were injured in a boating accident. Call The Law Giant, Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers, and speak to The Law Giant at 956-982-1800 or contact us online. We offer free case consultations, so there is no risk in scheduling a time to talk and learn more about your legal options.
The Law Giant Stands With You
More About The Law Giant →
4.9