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As Corpus Christi is right on the Gulf of Mexico, and water sports are common, tourists and residents alike tend to enjoy various recreational activities on the water. Furthermore, many people make their living in the boating industry.
However, the greater popularity of boating leads to an increased risk for boating accidents. A Corpus Christi boating accident lawyer from Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner can help you pursue compensation if you have fallen victim to a boating accident.
Understanding Corpus Christi Boating Accidents
A boating accident is an accident that involves a commercial vessel, personal boat, or other motor vehicle that is used on the water. Boating accidents can be caused by different reasons, with incidents involving recreational or commercial activities. Determining liability for boating accidents requires a deep understanding of tax regulations, maritime laws, and liability rules and regulations. A Corpus Christi boating accident lawyer can help you determine liability.
What Causes Boating Accidents?
Boating accidents can be caused by a variety of reasons and can involve one or more vessels. They may involve recreational vehicles, such as jet skis, or commercial vessels, such as fishing boats. Regardless of the type of vessel involved, the following factors can contribute to the causation of a boating accident:
- Drug use. In Texas, it is strictly forbidden to operate a motorboat under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. This is because operating a vessel greatly increases the risk of an accident, putting other people on the water in danger.
Alcohol and drugs can impair cognitive and physical ability to function, hindering a person’s ability to make sound decisions. Unfortunately, boating accidents are commonly caused by boating under the influence.
- Distracted driving. If a boating operator is not adequately paying attention to what they are doing, this can lead to a crash. Distractions such as eating, talking with passengers, responding to messages on mobile devices, or looking at navigation applications can lead to severe boating accidents. Accidents that result in injuries can be caused by a boat driver’s failure to notice hazards, swimmers, or other boats.
- Reckless operation. Driving a boat too quickly can lead not only to an increased risk of a boating accident but also to a severe collision that causes serious injuries. Going too quickly, especially near the shoreline or in areas that are crowded, can cause serious accidents. As boats that are going too quickly are more difficult to control, this can increase the risk of a crash with swimmers, objects, and other vessels.
- Untrained drivers. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for people who are untrained or unauthorized to drive a boat to get behind the wheel. People who do not have adequate training or knowledge of navigation regulations and safety rules are more likely to get into accidents. Furthermore, after the accident occurs, they are less likely to know how to adequately respond, leading to even greater damage.
- Failure of equipment. If equipment is not designed or manufactured well, or if boats are not adequately maintained, this can lead to breakdowns that cause boating accidents. Failure to maintain equipment, such as the steering wheel, safety gear, or the engine, can lead to serious accidents that endanger the lives of the people on the vessel. In such cases, the boating operator, boating company, or parts manufacturer may be held accountable.
- Severe weather. The weather tends to be less predictable out on the water and is, therefore, suddenly subject to change. Extreme weather, such as heavy rain, rough water, or high winds, can seriously endanger voters. While it may not be possible to prevent extreme weather, boat operators are expected to actively be aware of weather conditions and act accordingly to prevent accidents from happening.
Boating accidents tend to be caused by wrongful or negligent actions from other parties involved. An experienced Corpus Christi boating accident lawyer from Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner can analyze the details of your case to understand the various parties involved and what went wrong. They can identify the various causes of your accident and gather critical evidence to prove the liability of the responsible parties.
What Compensation Am I Entitled to After a Boating Accident?
If you have fallen victim to a boating accident in Corpus Christi, you are likely entitled to certain compensation under the law. Compensation laws in the state of Texas are made to help accident victims receive money to cover the damages that are both physical and emotional. If you have been injured in a boating accident, you could be entitled to coverage for the following:
- Healthcare costs. Individuals who suffer more serious injuries have greater healthcare costs associated with the diagnosis and treatment of their conditions. Healthcare expenses that can be covered by compensation include clinic visits, hospital bills, surgery fees, medicine and medical devices, assisted devices, physical therapy, and more.
- Lost income. If you are not able to work for a temporary period of time due to your boating accident injuries, you can be compensated for the money that you would have made had you been working. Furthermore, if you have lost future earning potential due to permanent disability, you can receive compensation for this as well.
- Pain and suffering. Boating accidents can lead to serious emotional suffering and mental anguish. You may be able to receive compensation for the non-economic damages caused to your psychological health, including loss of enjoyment of life and depression or anxiety.
- Wrongful death. If you lost your loved one to a Corpus Christi boating accident, you can be entitled to certain compensation under Texas law. Your family may be able to recover expenses associated with burial and celebration of life, as well as non-economic damages, such as loss of companionship and pain and suffering.
A detail-oriented Corpus Christi boating accident lawyer from Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner can analyze the damages associated with your case to provide a general estimate of the overall costs of your losses. Then, they can seek to identify different legal avenues to help you pursue compensation to make up for these damages. Together, we can help you pursue a settlement that allows you to recover and heal from your traumatic boating accident.
Who Can Be Liable for a Corpus Christi Boating Accident?
In a Corpus Christi boating accident, there are several potential actors that could be liable. This can make the process of pursuing compensation particularly complex, as it must be shown that the various potential liable parties had a duty of care that they breached, and their specific contribution to the occurrence of the accident must be proven. In a boating accident, potentially liable parties could include the following:
- Boat owners. The owner of a boat can be held liable for an accident if an accident occurred because they did not properly maintain their vessel or gave permission to an unlicensed or inexperienced individual to drive the vessel.
- Boat drivers. If a boating accident was caused because of reckless or negligent behavior on behalf of a boat operator, they may have to pay for any subsequent damages or injuries caused by the accident. Language behavior includes speeding, not following boating rules and regulations, or driving the boat under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
- Parts manufacturers. In some cases, the manufacturer of both parts can be held liable if faulty design or manufacturing led to the breakdown of a part, which subsequently caused a boating accident. They can be held liable through product liability claims.
- Boating rental companies. If you became injured while being on a boat that you rented, you may be able to hold the rental company liable for the boating accident. For example, if you were not provided with enough safety instructions, or if the boat was not adequately maintained, and it led to the accident, you can be held liable for the crash.
Holding different parties liable for boating accidents requires a deep understanding of local and state boating navigation laws, as well as personal injury and liability legislation. An experienced and knowledgeable Corpus Christi boating accident lawyer from Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner is here to break down the details of your case, understanding the potentially liable parties involved and ultimately proving their negligence.
What Should I Do if I’ve Been in a Corpus Christi Boating Accident?
Getting into a Corpus Christi boating accident can be a particularly traumatic experience that requires long physical and emotional recovery. In order to protect yourself after an accident, it is critical to be aware of the particular steps you should take. While each case is different, the general steps that should be taken include the following:
- Get to safety immediately. If you are in a vessel that is sinking or are in an area where oncoming boats could hit you, it is critical to move to a place where you are no longer in the way of imminent danger.
- Ask for help if necessary. By Texas law, other vessels are required to stop and help if your life is in danger unless it would put their own vessel in danger. If needed, ask for the help of other boats around you to get yourself to safety.
- Alert the authorities. In Texas, it is required for vessel operators to report accidents to their Corpus Christi law enforcement agency or the Texas Parks and Wildlife department. If a person was injured beyond the requirements of first aid, if there was damage that is greater than $2,000, or if an individual is dead or missing. Accidents must be reported within a certain time, or criminal charges can be brought forward.
- Exchange information. Be sure to collect, in writing, the name, address, and vessel identification number of the parties involved in the accident. By law, any boat that hits you is required to provide you with this critical information. While exchanging information with other parties involved in the accident and law enforcement, avoid any language that admits fault or places blame or speculation on other parties involved.
- Get medical assistance. Even if you do not believe you have been seriously injured in the boating accident, it is critical to see a healthcare provider. They can help identify whether you have underlying injuries that are asymptomatic and monitor you over time to make sure no conditions develop. Furthermore, they can provide critical evidence documenting your injuries so that you can receive adequate compensation later on.
- Contact a Corpus Christi boating accident lawyer. An experienced boating accident lawyer can assist you with getting the help you need to receive compensation for your damages and injuries. They can protect your rights and help you take adequate steps to pursue the compensation you are entitled to under Texas law.
If you’ve been in a Corpus Christi boating accident, a Corpus Christi boating accident lawyer from Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner is eager to help you get the compensation you are entitled to in order to adequately recover. Although the initial shock of an accident can be paralyzing, we can provide you with critical legal guidance to help you move forward and put your accident behind you.
What Are the Most Common Injuries From Texas Boating Accidents?
There are various injuries that can occur from boating accidents in Texas, with some being more minor and others resulting in serious long-term impairment. If individuals are thrown from a boat or come into contact with a hard surface during a collision, they can suffer from traumatic brain injuries, fractures, and spinal cord injuries. Drowning and near-drowning accidents caused by boating accidents can also lead to brain damage or other severe health conditions.
Whether you have suffered from burn injuries due to a fuel leak or equipment failure or cuts from debris after a crash or boat propellers, an experienced lawyer can help you get the compensation you are entitled to in order to adequately cover all past, present, and future medical expenses.
Pursue Compensation for Your Corpus Christi Boating Accident
Corpus Christi boating accidents can be extremely destructive and disruptive. Therefore, it is important to receive adequate compensation for associated emotional and physical damages. A compassionate Corpus Christi boating accident lawyer from Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner is here to help you navigate the claims process and hold individuals accountable for their reckless or wrongful behavior.
Contact us today to get started developing and implementing your legal strategy.
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