Hitchcock Boat Accident Lawyer

Taking a short boat ride can feel like a mini vacation even if you stay in your hometown. Unfortunately, just like any other kind of vehicle, boats occasionally get into accidents, which can result in devastating injuries and fatalities. In addition to the physical pain, you may be facing insurmountable medical bills, and potentially a loss in wages.

If a boat wreck injured you or your loved one, you should consider meeting with a Hitchcock boat accident lawyer who could advise you of your legal rights and review your options. We have personal injury lawyers available to work with you on the best legal direction to succeed.

Typical Causes of Boating Wrecks

Boating accidents occur for a wide variety of reasons. Many accidents are avoidable and could be prevented if people operate reasonably and responsibly. The primary causes are operator error or vehicle malfunction.

Operator Mistakes

Many boat operators do not take their driving responsibilities seriously. They try to have fun in the sun, instead of focusing on safely operating their vessels, which they do not consider to be as dangerous as driving a car. In addition to excessive drug and alcohol use, operators often make the following reckless mistakes:

• Inexperience and inadequate knowledge of how to operate a vessel safely
• Speeding
• Taking sharp turns
• Not anchoring the boat properly
• Improper lookout
• Inattention or distracted operation
• Loading the vessel incorrectly – Overloading the boat with too many passengers or too heavy cargo could cause it to sink and distributing weight incorrectly in a vessel could cause it to capsize.
• Choosing to operate in bad weather conditions
• Failure to have necessary safety equipment, such as life vests and fire extinguishers

Boat operators need to act responsibly and follow state laws regarding safety and emergency preparedness. If they do not, they are opening themselves up to a potential lawsuit.

Equipment Problems

Some boating wrecks occur because of mechanical and structural problems which can lead to accidents. When malfunctioning equipment causes a crash, it could be because of an inherent manufacturing defect, in which case, an injured party could pursue a claim against the vessel’s manufacturer. If the problem occurs due to structural wear and tear, the injured party might be able to sue the boat’s operator for failure to maintain it, or the mechanic who failed to make the necessary repairs.

A dedicated Hitchcock attorney could investigate why a boating collision occurred and who is likely to blame.

Types of Injuries Occurring in Waterway Accidents

Waterway injuries are frequently serious because most boat passengers are not restrained. Unlike in cars, where most drivers and passengers wear seatbelts, people in boats often have nothing to hold them back or protect them. If a boat collides with another vessel, runs aground, hits a stationary object like a dock, or turns too quickly, the impact can throw people around inside or outside the boat. If they fall inside the boat, they can suffer head wounds, broken bones, spine injuries, lacerations, and organ damage. If the accident forces them off the boat, they could be at risk of hypothermia or drowning.

Emotional trauma and disability are two big consequences of a serious boat collision, and can be listed as damages in a potential lawsuit. A dedicated attorney could help a boating wreck survivor in Hitchcock pursue compensation for everything they have lost.

Talk to a Hitchcock Boat Accident Attorney About Your Claim

Boating accidents are often severe. People on the water do not always have immediate access to emergency care, which can cause even minor injuries to quickly escalate. Wrongful death is also a possibility in the worst-case scenarios.

When you were harmed through no fault of your own, you deserve quality legal assistance. Call a Hitchcock boat accident lawyer for help in recovering monetary compensation.