When people are hurt by negligent boat owners and operators while on the water, emergency responders may take longer than land-based EMS crews to arrive at the scene of the accident, further extending the damage of the injuries. Depending on the injuries and the circumstances that caused them, the delay in care can lead to costly, life-changing outcomes.
At the Nava Law Group, P.C., our boat accident attorneys in Houston, Texas have successfully represented personal injury victims who were hurt while on some of our region’s favorite recreational waters, including Galveston Bay and the Buffalo Bayou, and we can pursue the same financial recovery results for you and your family, too.
What Are The Main Causes of Boat Accidents In Houston, Texas?
The U.S. Coast Guard reports that the circumstances surrounding most boat accidents throughout the country occur partly or entirely within the control of the boat’s operator.
Meaning, in most cases, if the boat operator acts responsibly, the majority of boating accidents could be avoided altogether.
Unfortunately, negligent driving exists not only on our roadways but our waterways too.
The most common causes of Houston boat accidents can include:
Alcohol or drug use
Capsizing and/or sinking
Colliding with other boats, jet skis, kayaks, and other vessels
Dangerous weather conditions
Distracted operation of a vessel
Equipment failure
Excessive speed
Falls overboard
Force of waves/wake
Improper lookout
Lack of lifejackets and/or safety gear
Navigational errors
On board fires
Operator inexperience
Propeller accidents
Running aground
Run over accidents
Slips and falls aboard the vessel
Boaters must understand that boating negligence does not only apply to the operator of the boat they are on. Even if the operator and guests on board the boat you were on were acting with care at all times, other boaters may be negligently operating their watercraft, which is equally as dangerous on the water as it is on land.
When a boat accident occurs, more than one party may be responsible for the crash that caused your injuries, making your case complex, and leaving insurance companies pointing their fingers at each other, so they do not end up footing the bill. We will fully evaluate your case to establish the facts and clarity it needs to achieve results.
If you have been hurt on a boat in Harris County or on a surrounding waterway, contact our experienced Houston personal injury attorneys today and learn more about how we can help you hold the negligent person — or parties — responsible for the financial recovery you deserve.
What Are The Most Common Injuries Associated With Houston Boat Accidents?
When it comes to boat injuries, there is nothing typical about the injuries that occur — especially when they could have been avoided.
Negligence is so dangerous and damaging because the circumstances surrounding the injury often happen within seconds, taking the injury victim by surprise and leaving little to no time to brace for a collision or fall.
The most common injuries associated with Houston boat accidents can include:
Broken bones
Burns
Electrocutions
Joint injuries
Lacerations
Near drownings and drownings
Neck and spine injuries
Paralysis
Torn tissue and ligaments
Traumatic brain injuries
Wrongful death
The fact is, when anyone — no matter their experience level — operates a boat negligently, everyone on the water is in danger. And if you have been hurt, you are going to need a skilled boat accident lawyers in Houston to establish the facts of your case, so you can pursue the negligent person or party for the best financial outcome available for your circumstances.
What Type of Compensation Can I Pursue After A Boat Accident Injury In Houston?
Your boat accident injuries are unique and will dictate the types of compensation our skilled boat accident lawyers can pursue on your behalf.
We will speak with the medical professionals who are charged with your care to understand your current, ongoing, and future needs, so each detail is outlined to maximize your financial recovery.
Those details can include:
Complete medical care
Rehabilitation and therapy
Medical device and prescription needs
Lost wages
Partial or full disability
Temporary or permanent disability
Your injuries will affect your life and future differently than another person’s might, which is why it is so important to speak with one of our experienced boat accident injury lawyers right after your boat accident occurs. We can protect your rights while designing the best legal course to achieve your financial recovery goals, so you can focus on healing.
Call Our Houston, Texas Boat Accident Lawyers for Your Free Consultation Today
If you have been hurt in a boat accident, do not face the negligent party or make a statement to their insurance company without first contacting our dedicated Houston boat accident attorneys at the Nava Law Group, P.C. today by calling (713) 661-9900 to schedule a free consultation. The quicker we learn about your case, the earlier we can get involved in pursuing your financial recovery. Contact us now to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions for Houston Boat Accidents
Does Texas Law Require Boating Accident Reports?
Like a vehicle accident, boating accidents should be reported to law enforcement, so there is a record of the incident on file. In fact, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Section 31.105 requires operators of any vessel must report accidents and casualties to a local law enforcement agency or the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
The report must be given within 30 days of the occurrence (48 hours if a fatality occurs) if the collision, accident, or casualty resulted in:
Death (or missing person); or
Injury (requiring treatment beyond first aid) to any person; or
Property damage exceeding $2,000.
The accident report should include a full description of the collision, accident, or casualty in accordance with regulations established by the department.
After reporting the boat accident, seek medical care, and contact our Texas boat accident lawyer to ensure your legal rights are protected going forward.
What Evidence Should I Collect After a Texas Boating Accident?
Our Houston boat accident attorney knows that your injuries may not allow you to stay behind at the accident scene for long – or at all. If they do, take down as much information as possible from the at-fault boater, including their license, registration, and insurance information. Take pictures of the scene, your injuries, and the boating accident report if law enforcement arrives before you seek medical care. Immediately after leaving the scene, seek emergency medical care to outline your complete injuries and an overall treatment plan. Then, contact our boat accident attorneys right away, so we can begin collecting and preserving important information and evidence about the crash.
Should I Work Directly With the Insurance Companies to Achieve a Financial Settlement?
No. The insurance company is not interested in your best interests. Instead, they simply want to minimize your settlement, so they can close the claim and move forward. You do not have to negotiate with the insurance company on your own. Our boating accident attorney Houston Tx will review your claim during a free consultation, so you understand your complete legal rights and options to hold the liable party’s insurance coverage for your complete financial recovery.
How Much Does It Cost to Partner with an Experienced Houston Boat Accident Lawyer?
At the Nava Law Group, our boat accident attorney is available to take your qualifying case with no upfront fees. In fact, if we do not win your case, you pay nothing for our legal services. That is our promise.
Is a Boat Accident Claim Different Than Another Personal Injury Accident Claim?
Yes and no. It is important to partner with experienced boating accident attorneys because they understand the laws associated with these types of accidents, including where they occur, and who is liable for your financial recovery. While the personal injury portion of the claim is similar, boat accidents are unique, and require personal attention and experience that not all attorneys have. Our boat accident lawyers can help you understand your rights and options to pursue a claim and maximize your recovery, so you can move forward with confidence.
How Long Do I Have to File a Boat Accident Claim in Texas?
Boat accident and injury claims must be filed within two years of the incident. If you have been hurt in a Houston boat accident, do not wait for the statute of limitations to draw near. The sooner you consult with a boat accident lawyer, the quicker we can begin investigating the crash, preserving evidence, and discovering the facts around the incident, so we can help build your case for success.
Does the Nava Law Group Take Other Watercraft Accident & Injury Cases?
If you were involved in a Texas Boat Accident that was not technically on a boat, we may still be able to help you. Our boating accident attorney handles injury claims where our clients were hurt on kayaks, paddleboards, jet skis, and other watercraft because of another person’s negligence.
Can I Pursue a Claim if I Lost a Loved One to Negligence in a Texas Boat Accident?
Yes. Our boat accident lawyer Texas also handles wrongful death claims. Eligible family members may file a wrongful death claim when their loved ones lost their lives to negligence, which occurs quite often during boat accidents. The wrongful death statute of limitations in Texas — which outlines the amount of time family members must file a claim — is two years from the date of their loved one’s death. Contact us today to learn more about the eligibility requirements, so you can take the time you need to grieve with your family, while we handle the details of your case.
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When people are hurt by negligent boat owners and operators while on the water, emergency responders may take longer than land-based EMS crews to arrive at the scene of the accident, further extending the damage of the injuries. Depending on the injuries and the circumstances that caused them, the delay in care can lead to costly, life-changing outcomes.