Missouri City Boat Accident Lawyer

Boating is a popular pastime for all kinds of people. From fishermen to pleasure boaters, an afternoon on the water is the perfect way to spend time but there are also risks that come with being on the water. A crash can result in major bodily harm that is both painful and expensive to treat.

When you were hurt in a boating accident, a dedicated personal injury attorney could help you pursue compensation. These cases can be surprisingly complex, as investigating incidents that occur on a body of water is rarely easy. Fortunately, a Missouri City boat accident lawyer could help you maximize your financial recovery after a crash.

Why Accidents Happen on the Water

Wrecks can happen on the water under many different circumstances, and while human error is frequently to blame, there are other factors that can lead to a dangerous crash as well. A Missouri City attorney could evaluate the cause of these boat incidents before pursuing legal action against the at-fault party.

Inattention

Boaters are typically looking to relax on the water, but that does not mean an operator can ignore their obligation to pay attention to their surroundings. Distractions can cause vessels to collide with swimmers, other boats, fixed obstacles, or even dry land.

Impairment

Just like with motor vehicles, boats are dangerous in the hands of impaired operators. The use of drugs or alcohol dramatically reduces a person’s ability to make evasive maneuvers or carefully navigate waterways.

Speeding

Traveling at high speeds might seem fun at first but it is incredibly unsafe. The lack of speed limits in most places increases the chances of a person striking a fixed object or other vessel due to their risky high-speed driving.

Inexperience

Many people assume that boating is simple. Others might believe that because they are licensed to drive a car, operating these vessels will come naturally. The reality is that inexperience is a major cause of accidents on the water. A lack of experience can lead a person to make avoidable errors or fail to perform basic navigation tasks that lead to a crash, and possibly drowning.

Determining Fault

Like with most personal injury cases, boat accident lawsuits in Missouri City, TX are decided using the negligence standard. In other words, a plaintiff is only entitled to financial recovery if they can show their injuries occurred due to a negligent act of the defendant.

There are many ways that boaters could carelessly or recklessly cause a collision on the water. Some examples include traveling at unsafe speeds, boating while impaired, or operating too close to other vessels.

In some cases, both parties might share in the blame. Shared liability will not necessarily prevent an injured person from seeking compensation thanks to a legal standard known as modified comparative negligence.

Under the law, a plaintiff can still recover monetary damages if they are partially to blame so long as they are not more than 50 percent responsible for the crash. The other important factor consider is that the court will reduce an award based on the degree of the injured party’s fault. That means a plaintiff that is 30 percent liable will have their total damages reduced by the same percentage.

Contact a Boat Accident Attorney in Missouri City

You have the right to pursue justice when you are injured through no fault of your own. The trauma of these events can be overwhelming for many people, but the right legal counsel could provide you with peace of mind as you seek compensation. Reach out to a Missouri City boat accident lawyer today for a free and private consultation. We look forward to helping you.