Austin Boat Accident Lawyer
When you ride on a boat, it is important to remember that you are owed a significant duty of care from other vessels and drivers. Other people out on the water need to operate their vehicles carefully, respect the elements, and make sure to keep their boats safe for use.
Unfortunately, this does not always happen, and people suffer injuries in preventable boating wrecks. If you or a family member was injured in one of these incidents, an Austin boat accident lawyer can assess the strength of your case and make sure to protect your rights throughout the entire legal process. Working with a dedicated injury attorney is key, so do not hesitate to get started.
How do Boat Drivers Need to Protect Others?
As mentioned, every time that a person operates a boat, they assume a duty to protect other people. This applies any passengers, bystanders, or people on other vehicles. Providing this protection involves two main concepts, and a failure to live up to either of these expectations might mean the need to assume liability.
The first part of protecting others involves following the applicable rules of the water, such as having proper lighting while operating a night, following speed limits, and refraining from boating while intoxicated.
The second obligation of boaters is to act with appropriate caution. A boat driver who becomes distracted by a cell phone or a conversation with a friend is just as liable for a crash as those who violate speed limits or other local water rules. Failing to adhere to this or the first established level of protection could have severe consequences and leave many people injured. When it comes to proving that a negligent boater acted recklessly or carelessly, a skilled Austin attorney can assess all the relevant evidence and demonstrate the boat accident would not have occurred if the other driver had acted with the proper precaution.
Injuries Associated with Boating Accidents
Regardless of how a negligent boat driver caused an accident, anyone involved could be left with severe injuries. Common examples of wounds associated with watercraft wrecks include but are not limited to:
- Deep cuts
- Broken bones
- Concussions and or traumatic brain damage
- Whiplash or spinal cord injuries
- Crushed limbs
- Wrongful death due to drowning
Any of these injuries requires immediate medical attention, as a knowledgeable lawyer in Austin can explain. After a plaintiff seeks care for their wounds, they should reach out to our legal team who can outline the next stages of filing a boat accident claim.
Why Can Collecting Compensation for a Boat Accident be Challenging?
While it is true that whoever is responsible for a boat accident needs to offer financial compensation, it can often be challenging for an injured plaintiff to acquire the repayments they deserve. This is because proving the extent of one’s losses is a crucial and involved part of the case. Insurance companies and courts only award compensation in cases with substantial evidence and compelling arguments.
Thankfully, there are many different forms of evidence that a resourceful representative in Austin can uncover. Any video footage of the accident would prove incredibly helpful, as would testimony from witnesses, boat maintenance logs, hospital bills, and therapist confirmation about the extent of emotional trauma. Collecting this evidence is difficult to do alone, but our legal team members are up to the challenge.
Contact an Austin Boat Accident Attorney to Get Started
Boat accidents have the potential to change every part of your life. Your physical injuries, the need to seek out emotional health counseling, and an inability to return to work could alter your trajectory and leave you unsure about what to do next. Whenever another party is responsible the incident on the water, they have an obligation, under the law, to provide compensation.
An Austin boat accident lawyer can help you to prove your case and collect the compensation that you deserve. They are prepared to take the lead in demanding fair payment through insurance settlements or civil lawsuits. Reach out today to learn more about your options.
