Beaumont Boat Accident Lawyer

Boats are great for a day of recreation on a lake, but they can easily turn into a dangerous situation when someone is negligent. In addition to the risk of a sudden impact, you also face the potential for drowning any time you find yourself on the water. When an accident occurs through no fault of your own, you could be entitled to financial compensation.

A reliable personal injury lawyer could help you recover the financial award you deserve. While you have the right to pursue your case alone, the risks of doing this are significant. Let a Beaumont boat accident lawyer help you along the way.

Types of Boat Accidents

Different types of boat accidents are possible, but any of them have the potential to result in severe physical injuries. A Beaumont boat accident attorney could assist with filing a lawsuit over any of the following types of incidents.

Collisions with Other Vessels

Accidents often involve two or more speeding boats colliding with each other. Given the high speeds these vessels can travel at, the resulting impact can lead to catastrophic harm, including spinal damage and brain injuries.

Running Aground

A number of devastating accidents occur when a boat strikes a fixed object. This might include submerged trees, rocks, or even the shore. When a collision occurs at high speed, it can cause serious injuries and throw a person from the boat. These situations come with an increased risk of drowning.

Falling Overboard

Not all boat accidents involve a collision. A person could be injured when they are negligently knocked or thrown overboard and into the water – possibly leading to an accidental death. This can happen when the operator is reckless, or it can result from horseplay.

Negligence and Boat Accidents

Boat collisions can happen under many circumstances. Typically, they are the result of carelessness and human error. When negligence plays a role, a boat accident attorney in Beaumont may be able to investigate and develop a theory of negligence.

Boaters can cause collisions in many ways. Some fail to realize the risk of operating their boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Just like with a motor vehicle crash, these substances can increase the risk of an accident on the water. Inexperience or reckless behavior can also result in a collision.

Not every incident is the result of operator error, however. In some situations, a defective part can cause a boat to lose control or even sink. In that scenario, a plaintiff could pursue legal action against the manufacturer for their losses. These companies are held to a higher standard than typical negligence claims.

Applying the Statute of Limitations

There may be an opportunity to pursue a lawsuit following an accident, but the time to do so is limited. The statute of limitations is the formal deadline that applies in each of these cases. If the statute expires before a lawsuit is filed, the court has no choice but to dismiss the action with prejudice. That means the plaintiff is barred from ever filing it again. Under Texas law, there are generally two years from the date of an injury to file a lawsuit.

Call a Beaumont Boat Accident Attorney Immediately When an Injury Occurs

These incidents can be traumatic. In a flash, a fun afternoon of relaxation can turn into something devastating. If you were hurt due to another person’s actions, you might be entitled to a monetary award. Call today to learn how a Beaumont boat accident lawyer could help.