If you’re facing serious injuries in or Texas due to another person’s or corporation’s negligence, recklessness, dangerous actions, car or truck accident, or faulty products, it’s crucial to get legal representation from Dunham & Jones, the Trusted Texas Personal Injury Attorneys. Dunham & Jones can help you recover compensation for medical costs, income losses, pain, suffering, and other damages through a meticulously crafted personal injury or wrongful death claim in Texas. Call 888-222-9746 now for your free injury case review and discuss your case in detail.
If a day out on the lake ended in a boating accident and painful injury, the Texas injury lawyers at Dunham & Jones, Attorneys at Law, are here to help. We can hold the responsible parties accountable, whether it’s the owner or operator of the boat, and pursue financial compensation for your injuries. With years of experience representing clients across Texas, we are well-equipped to fight for your rights and ensure you receive the justice and compensation you deserve.
Hiring a Texas boat accident attorney can help you understand your legal options and choose the best course of action after an incident. A qualified personal injury lawyer will thoroughly review every aspect of your case, consult with expert witnesses, examine your medical records, and negotiate with the involved insurance company on your behalf. The Texas statute of limitations for personal injury claims generally prohibits filing a lawsuit after two years from the date of the accident. Therefore, it’s vital to seek legal assistance as soon as you are well enough to do so.
Are Most Boating Accidents Caused By Negligence?
If negligence caused your boating accident in Texas, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. In personal injury law, negligence is defined as the failure to exercise a normal or adequate amount of care, resulting in harm to others. Boating accidents are often preventable and frequently result from acts of negligence, such as:
- Poor boat or watercraft maintenance
- Equipment or part failures
- An inexperienced or unlicensed boat operator
- Boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Speeding or reckless boating
- Breaking waterway rules or ignoring signs
- Failing to keep a proper lookout
- Colliding with other boats, vessels, or docks
- Failing to check the weather and water conditions before embarking
- Failing to keep proper safety gear onboard
It is the boat operator’s responsibility to pay attention to the task at hand, obey all relevant state and local boating laws, and keep passengers reasonably safe. Boat owners and manufacturers also have safety-related responsibilities, such as ensuring a boat is in proper working condition. If anyone breaches or violates a duty of care in connection with a boating accident in Texas, that party can be held financially responsible
Call Dunham & Jones at 888-222-9746 to schedule a free consultation with an injury attorney and learn how we can help you with your Boating Accident case. Dunham & Jones was established in 1989 and is dedicated to helping it’s clients get the best results.
Alcohol is a Factor in Many Preventable Boating Accidents
According to the US Coast Guard, alcohol is a leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents annually. When the primary cause of a boat accident is known, alcohol accounts for approximately 16% of boating deaths. In Texas, the legal blood alcohol limit for operating a boat is .08%, the same as for driving a vehicle. Data from the BUI Initiative shows that a boat operator with a blood alcohol concentration above .10% is estimated to be ten times more likely to die in a boating accident than an operator with no alcohol in their system. Passengers are also at significantly increased risk for injury or death, especially if they are also consuming alcohol.
Much like driving a vehicle, a boat operator’s judgment and reaction times become significantly impaired with alcohol consumption. Operating a boat while under the influence is not only illegal but also greatly increases the likelihood of significant injuries or death.
What Are the Different Types of Boating Accidents?
Various types of boating accidents occur in and around Texas, as well as along the coastline. Some of the main types of accidents that cause injuries include:
- Boat Collisions are when one boat collides with another, significant forces impact those inside the vessels. Boat collisions can result from an inability to control the boat, operator inexperience, speeding, operating while impaired or distracted, and more.
- Yacht Accidents are typically more serious due to their size. In collisions between smaller boats and yachts, the yacht can cause significant property damage and injuries.
- Rental Boats are available throughout Texas, including the ocean, on rivers, and lakes. Rental boat companies typically provide a quick tutorial about the boat controls and require a waiver signature. However, if they allow inexperienced individuals to operate the boat, they may be held liable for any resulting serious rental boat accidents.
- Pontoon boats are just as prone to accidents as any other type of boat in Texas. People may be more relaxed on a pontoon, leading to careless operation and serious pontoon boat accidents. Additionally, the pontoon’s propellers can be hazardous, especially if someone on board loses their balance and falls overboard.
- Boating accidents can occur even when individuals are not navigating open waters. Careless and negligent actions by workers or third parties at marinas or docks can lead to significant marina or dock accidents as well.
Common Boating Accident Injuries
At Dunham & Jones, Attorneys at Law, our boating accident lawyers in Texas are dedicated to achieving the best possible results for severely injured clients. If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury in a Texas boating accident, we can help with cases involving:
- Accidental drowning
- Bone fractures
- Muscle, ligament, and soft-tissue injuries
- Lacerations
- Internal injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Electrocutions and electrical burns
- Other types of burn injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Wrongful death
Although no amount of money can compensate for a serious injury, it can help reduce financial stress and support your family’s future. We understand the ins and outs of boating accident cases in Texas and use proven strategies for optimal outcomes. If necessary, we are prepared to take your case to trial to demand full and just results.
How Our Texas Boating Accident Attorney Can Help
After sustaining an injury in a Texas boating accident, it is crucial to speak with a skilled attorney as soon as possible. A lawyer can handle every aspect of your boat accident claim on your behalf, starting with providing the resources necessary for a thorough investigation into the incident.
During the investigation, an attorney will ensure that you are evaluated by trusted medical professionals and will manage all communications with other parties, including insurance carriers. These communications include negotiations, particularly when the at-fault party or the insurance carrier offers settlements. If a fair settlement is not offered, your attorney may need to file a civil personal injury lawsuit on your behalf.
The civil lawsuit process is complex and begins with discovery, where both sides exchange information. Your attorney will likely take depositions from witnesses as the case progresses toward trial. If a settlement cannot be reached during the early phases of the lawsuit process, your attorney will stand before a jury to argue your case and seek the compensation you deserve.
Potential Damages in a Texas Boating Accident Lawsuit
Victims of Texas boating accidents may be entitled to various types of compensation. If a claim is successful, we work diligently to recover both economic and non-economic damages on behalf of our clients.
Economic damages pertain to calculable expenses that victims are likely to incur in the days, weeks, and months following the incident. Our team, along with trusted medical and economic experts, can gather these bills and calculate the following:
- Emergency medical expenses
- Ongoing doctor or hospital expenses
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications
- Lost income and loss of future earnings
- Property damage expenses
- Household out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages differ from the calculable economic losses and involve less visible injuries that a boat accident victim may sustain. We aim to help compensate victims for their physical and emotional pain and suffering, as well as any loss of quality of life caused by the injuries and recovery process.
The total amount of compensation paid to boating accident victims in Texas will vary depending on the circumstances surrounding their case. Factors such as injury severity, length of recovery time, and shared fault can influence the amount of compensation a person receives.
Call Dunham & Jones today at 888-222-9746 to schedule a free consultation with a Texas Boat Accident lawyer. Boat Accident cases need an experienced injury law firm such as Dunham & Jones. Dunham & Jones was established in 1989 and is dedicated to helping it’s clients get the best results.
How Long Do You Have to File a Boating Accident Claim in Texas?
Texas boat accident victims have a limited time to file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Texas is two years from the date the injury occurs. If a boat accident victim fails to file a lawsuit against the negligent party within this two-year timeframe, they will not be able to recover compensation for their losses.
If the injury claim arises from a defective or dangerous product, individuals must file their lawsuit within 15 years from when the defective product was sold to the first user. It is crucial to act promptly and seek legal assistance to ensure your rights are protected and you can pursue the compensation you deserve.
If You Were Injured in a Texas Boating Accident, Contact Us Today
If you or a loved one was recently injured in a boating accident in Texas, don’t hesitate to call us today at 888-222-9746 Dunham & Jones, Attorneys at Law, to set up a free, fast, and friendly case review. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. Our experienced boat and car accident lawyers in Texas can help you and your family get the answers, closure, and financial compensation you deserve.
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