Boating is a fulfilling recreational sport in Galveston and throughout the United States. For many boat owners, boat riding gives them the opportunity to embrace and experience the ambiance that nature offers freely. Unfortunately, being involved in a boating accident while on the water can be a very frightening and traumatizing experience. Apart from the physical injuries that follow such accidents, survivors often suffer Post Traumatic Disorders that largely affect their way and quality of life. When this happens, they are no longer productive as they were before, affecting their careers and social life.
Luckily, it’s not always over for boat accident survivors. Anyone injured in a similar accident can file a compensation claim against the negligent party. The money recovered goes a long way in helping them take care of new needs arising from the accident, such as medical bills. If you or your loved one has been injured in a boating accident recently, you should promptly speak to our Galveston boat accident lawyer.
Given the various state, federal and international rules governing the boating industry, filing a claim for compensation on your own may be difficult. For a starter, an average person lacks the legal knowledge required to maneuver through these complex systems, therefore needing a skilled personal injury attorney. Our lawyers at Lone Star Injury Attorneys can provide you with a detailed one-on-one consultation session to advise you on the best legal approach to use for maximum monetary compensation.
Before filing your boat accident case, you must, first of all, understand how it happened. Apart from helping you determine fault, doing so allows you to gather the necessary evidence and information required to build your case from the beginning. There are many scenarios in which a boat accident can occur. They include bad weather conditions, carelessness, and speeding, intoxication.
Boating while under extreme weather conditions is most likely to cause an accident. Heavy storms, rain, fog, mist, and high winds account for over 50% of boat accidents in the U.S. To ensure the safety of passengers, boat operators are required to keep themselves up to date with weather forecasts. They must also create an elaborate float plan on how, where, and when they will be boating. Operating a boat in bad weather can be treacherous.
Like drivers, boat operators are under a legal duty to ensure that they conduct themselves appropriately to avoid accidents. But sadly, not all boat captains adhere to such rules. Very often, you will come across some who splash other boats, violate low wake regulations, fail to yield to other boats, and fail to maintain a safe distance from other water vessels.
It is very important that all water vessels maintain safe and designated speed limits. Excessive speeding makes it difficult for boat operators to safely control their vessels. By speeding, it becomes very difficult for passengers and operators to react to an emergency such as a collision with other vessels.
Boat operators are guided by the same rules just like drivers. One cannot operate a boat while over the Blood Alcohol Content limit of 0.08%. Anyone who operates a watercraft while drunk is liable to legal action if an accident occurs. Blood, breath, and urine tests are often used to establish the level of intoxication in the blood.
Other causes of boat accidents include:
Many of the abovementioned causes are avoidable. So if your boating accident was caused by any of these causes, you should speak to our Galveston lawyer as soon as possible to file a claim for compensation before it’s too late.
Injuries caused by a boat accident can be minor or severe depending on how the accident happened. Drowning is among the most common risks associated with boat accidents especially in scenarios where passengers do not have life vests. Any person who drowns may face possible brain damage due to the deprivation of oxygen. In the worst-case scenario, the victim may lose their life.
Other injuries likely to be sustained in a boat accident include:
Our dedicated attorneys can help you assess your injuries and value your watercraft accident claim.
If you sustained serious injuries in your boat accident, our Galveston boat accident lawyer can help you file a lawsuit for compensation against the party liable for the accident. Our offices are always open for a free case evaluation. To book an appointment with us, please call us or speak to us online right away.
