Midland Boat Accident Lawyer
While spending the day out on a boat can be fun, there are some risks involved, especially if other boaters are not being safe or the boat you are in is defective or does not have the necessary safety gear.
If you have been hurt in a boating accident you may be facing medical bills, lost work, or property damage, and contacting a personal injury attorney may be wise. A consultation with a Midland boat accident lawyer could help you understand your legal rights to compensation and whether you need to take legal action.
Boating Regulations in Midland
In Texas, there are a number of laws regarding how boats need to be handled while on the water or in close proximity, the use of alcohol on boats, and safety gear and other required equipment on boats. The Texas Water Safety Act, found in the Texas Revised Civil Statutes Annotated § 31.023, covers many of the state’s boating laws. Boaters should be aware of and following these laws while on the water, including:
- Boat registration
- Safety equipment required on the vessel
- Boat operating requirements
- Accident response and reporting requirements
Following state laws and exercising reasonable care while boating could prevent most accidents and other injuries on the water. When a boat operator causes an accident due to a failure to follow state regulations or exercise reasonable care, they may be able liable for any injuries that result. For example, if a person was going too fast or acting recklessly around other boats due to inebriation, inexperience, or other factors, they may be financially responsible for the injuries or property damage caused by an accident.
A Midland lawyer could help an injured person evaluate the situation to determine whether the driver or another party was at fault for their boat accident. A lawyer could also investigate into whether the boat was equipped with proper safety gear, or if the boat was in proper working order and appropriately maintained.
Filing a Lawsuit After a Boat Accident
Boating comes with risks and responsibilities. Unfortunately, not all boaters take these risks seriously and end up injuring themselves or others in the process. Some common causes of boating accidents include inebriated or inexperienced drivers, inclement weather, lack of safety equipment, such as personal flotation devices or life jackets. Boating crashes can result in severe injuries or even death if proper precautions are not taken. In addition to significant medical bills, injured parties may lose income from time missed from work, and some may need lifelong care after a boating accident. Injured parties in these situations may also suffer serious emotional trauma and property damage to their vehicle or other equipment as a result of a boat wreck.
In certain situations, injured parties may need to negotiate with an insurance company to get compensation for their injuries. In others, they may need to consider taking legal action in the form of a personal injury claim. Anyone considering legal action should be aware of any deadlines that may apply to their claims. Personal injury claims under Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. §16.003 must be filed within two years of the accident. A lawyer in Midland could help someone file a lawsuit after they suffered injuries in a boat accident.
Get Help from a Midland Boat Accident Attorney
If you have been injured or suffered property damage in a boat accident, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. A Midland boat accident lawyer from our firm could help you negotiate for fair compensation and explain your legal rights. For more information about how we could help you, call today.
