Boating over the years has grown as a common recreational activity, not just in League City, but nationwide. The freedom that comes with cruising the water has no equivalent. But while we enjoy the fun that comes with fishing or other boating activities, it’s also important to understand that boater negligence can be catastrophic. Normally, it’s the law that everyone on a boat must wear safety gear such as a life vest to protect themselves in case things go wrong. Nevertheless, this doesn’t guarantee you 100% safety.
If you or a loved one suffered harm in a watercraft accident, the law allows you to file a personal injury claim for damages suffered. Understandably, such accidents are devastating in many ways. For example, the injured victim may have to seek medical treatment for their injuries, which come at a cost. Legally, it’s the negligent party is responsible for paying for these costs, as well as any other related losses that you may suffer.
At Lone Star Injury Attorneys, our dedicated personal injury attorneys understand the confusion and anxiety that follows a watercraft wreck. For this reason, we believe that you shouldn’t have to struggle with the complex and tiresome legal process when filing a lawsuit. Our League City boat accident lawyers can help you establish a strong case against the at-fault party.
If you were injured in a boat accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you can recover monetary compensation by filing a claim. There are many legal options available to you after a boating accident, and it’s up to your lawyer to choose one that secures maximum compensation for you. For example, you may be able to file a claim against the driver of the boat that carried you, or that of another vessel that collided with yours.
You shouldn’t need to worry if you were injured while aboard a friend’s boat. Your friend’s insurance company will be responsible for losses suffered. Furthermore, it’s not always the captain who’s at fault. Another driver or a mechanical defect may have caused the accident. In this case, you’re at liberty to sue the boat manufacturer, owner, and mechanic or maintenance company. Knowing what to do or who to sue after a water vessel wreck is often very difficult, and it’s advisable to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
Understanding the circumstances under which your boat accident occurred is your gateway to determining liability. By doing so, you allow yourself to narrow down the best party to sue for maximum compensation. There are many reasons why watercraft collisions occur, even with the stringent safety measures in place. They include the following.
Some boat captains and operators often engage in careless acts that put them and their passengers at risk. It’s the legal responsibility of all boat operators to ensure the safe operation of their crafts. This includes ensuring that passengers are appropriately seated while the boat is moving, maintaining designated speeds, yielding to other boats, and maintaining safe distances from other boats.
All boat operators must ensure that they operate in safe weather conditions. They must check their safety equipment, understand weather forecasts, and check their float plans before departure. High winds and strong tides can make the waters treacherous.
Sadly, not all boat operators are skilled enough to safely guide and run their watercraft. As a result, it becomes impossible for them to navigate through treacherous waters especially when there are strong winds and tides. If a boat operator has little to no experience driving a boat, their negligence may cause an accident.
Just like any other driver, boat operators are expected to maintain high standards of discipline while in their course of duty. They should never drive or run a boat while under the influence of alcohol or hard drugs. Typically, the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) shouldn’t exceed 0.08%.
From the above causes, a boat accident attorney in League City will determine the best party to sue ranging from:
A skilled attorney can also defend you if the other party claims you were partially negligent.
Lone Star Injury Attorneys has for years fought for the rights of boat accident victims. Our League City boat accident lawyers have the resources and expertise to successfully litigate your case. To discuss your case and if representation is right for you, reach out to us online or by phone as soon as possible.
