When on a Texas lake, it is important to follow state rules and regulations. Your boat should have all the necessary equipment, including life jackets, fire extinguishers, and the proper lights.
Unfortunately, not all boaters follow mandatory safety laws on the water. Recklessness from these individuals can lead to serious injuries and property damage.
When you sustain injuries due to a negligent party, call a Spring boat accident lawyer now. Our dedicated personal injury attorneys could provide guidance on the best route for compensation from the at-fault individuals.
Several factors can lead to boating collisions. Some common scenarios that result in these types of wrecks include:
Boaters who drive irresponsibly are considered negligent, and injured parties may be eligible for compensation for their physical, emotional, and financial losses. To discuss a particular situation, consult with a knowledgeable boat crash lawyer in Spring.
Alcohol is one of the most common causes of serious boating accidents. Teen boaters are ticketed if they are found to have any alcohol in their systems, and adults are ticketed if their Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is 0.08 percent or higher. These citations could potentially be used later as evidence in an injury claim.
When an injury case is based on a boater’s negligence, the injured party’s attorney must prove the four elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages.
Boaters have a duty to others on the waterways to act reasonably and to prevent harm to their surroundings. If they breach that duty by breaking the law or acting carelessly, and causing a collision that hurts someone else, the injured person should be entitled to compensation for their losses.
In some cases, an attorney could rely on negligence per se to prove a case. With this doctrine, the plaintiff does not have to prove duty and breach if the defendant is ticketed for breaking a state law, such as boating while intoxicated. A Spring boat wreck attorney would only have to prove the plaintiff’s injuries occurred because of the defendant’s actions which received a citation.
Texas juries can award injured plaintiffs economic damages, such as medical bills and lost wages. Similarly, non-economic damages can cover more subjective losses, including emotional trauma, pain and suffering, and loss of the enjoyment of life. Together, these are known as compensatory damages.
Texas does not cap compensatory damages except when the defendant represents the government. A lawyer in Spring with experience handling boat wreck cases could provide greater insight into these damages and when they apply.
Punitive or exemplary damages are capped and only available in limited circumstances when the defendant’s actions are deemed especially egregious. They are meant to punish grossly negligent behavior and dissuade the defendant (and others) from acting this way in the future.
Danger on lakes and waterways usually comes in the form of reckless boaters. When you are injured in a boating collision, you have recourse for compensation.
Our Spring boat accident lawyers are adept at negotiating settlements with insurers and navigating civil lawsuits for our clients. You deserve compensation for what someone else did to you, and we are here to make that happen. Call for your free consultation today.
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