West Lake Hills Boat Accident Lawyer
The aftermath of any type of accident can lead to worry and anxiety, but boating accidents can be particularly stressful. While many people drive in a car frequently, and are familiar with the rules of the road, not as many use boats frequently. This can make it more unexpected and unsettling to be involved in a boating accident.
When you find yourself in this situation, a West Lake Hills boat accident lawyer may be able to help. An experienced attorney can help you manage the process of reporting, documenting, investigating the incident, and, ultimately, recovering compensation from those responsible for causing it. Call one of our hard-working personal injury attorneys today to learn more about how you could pursue damages in a case.
Causes of Boating Accidents
To recover financial compensation for injuries or property damage that occurs in a crash, the injured person must prove that someone else is at fault or responsible for the wreck. This may require undertaking an investigation to understand what initially caused the wreck. Factors and actions that frequently lead to boating accidents can include:
- Inexperienced boat operators
- Severe or unexpected weather
- Defects in the vessel or its equipment
- The boat’s operator being under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Texas Parks and Wildlife Code § 31.109 requires only people born after 1993 and operating certain types of vessels to complete a boater education course, meaning that many people on the water may have little to no official training or education on how to operate their craft safely.
A West Lake Hills attorney with experience handling boat wrecks can help an injured person determine what caused a particular crash and how that will affect their ability to recover compensation for their losses.
What to Do After a Boating Accident
Because most people spend less time on the water than on the road, they may not know what to do after a boating collision. A lawyer who is familiar with the laws surrounding such crashes in West Lake Hills can provide information that is specific to a given situation. However, there are a few principles that are broadly applicable of which all boat operators should be aware.
Help Other Parties Involved In the Accident
Texas Parks and Wildlife Code § 31.104 provides that a boat operator involved in a collision must help any other people in the wreck to the extent necessary or practical without causing additional danger to their own boat or passengers. Moreover, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code § 31.105 requires that, after any incident on the water that causes serious injury, death, or property damage in excess of $2,000, a person must file an incident report with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department within 30 days.
Document Accident Details
Once everyone involved in the collision is safe, it is helpful to document as much of the wreck as possible. This can be done by taking pictures, making notes, and speaking to other eyewitnesses about what happened. However, it is best to avoid making any official statements regarding the crash to any insurance agents until speaking with an attorney; seemingly insignificant statements can have an outsized impact on any potential settlements.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Finally, everyone involved in the collision should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if injuries seem mild, sometimes symptoms can get worse as the adrenaline from the accident subsides. Waiting to receive medical attention can make it harder to prove that a given injury is a direct result of the collision and, therefore, subject to compensation.
Reach Out to a West Lake Hills Attorney Experienced in Handling Boating Injuries
When you are injured in a collision on the water, you do not have to handle the experience by yourself. Aside from the physical injuries, serious wrecks come with many administrative, logistical, and legal demands. An attorney can take these aspects off your plate by helping to investigate the collision, negotiating with insurance companies, and seeking to hold the people who caused the wreck responsible for your injuries. This way, you can focus on healing and recovering as soon as possible. Call a West Lake Hills boat accident lawyer today to get started reviewing your options.
