Melissa Boat Accident Lawyer

A day out on the water can be fun for everyone involved, but only so long as boat operators follow state laws regarding safe vessel operation and maintenance. If someone acts recklessly or carelessly away from shore, serious accidents can result that often have devastating consequences.

Effectively pursuing civil compensation after an accident borne of negligent boat operation often requires assistance from a personal injury attorney with experience handling these kinds of situations. A seasoned Melissa boat accident lawyer could provide the legal knowledge and advice you may need to seek the best possible outcome in your case.

What to Do Immediately After a Boat Crash

On top of various regulations for mandatory boat education classes, vessel maintenance, and safety gear necessary to store on board, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code also establishes rules that watercraft operators must follow in the event of an accident out on the water. First, under Texas Parks and Wildlife Code §31.104, any boat operator who finds themselves involved in a collision or other waterborne incident must immediately stop their vessel and render aid to any other involved party who needs it, so long as doing so would not put themselves, their vessel, or their passengers at risk of serious harm. They must also provide their name, address, and identifying information about their vessel to all involved parties.

If a boat accident results in a personal injury, fatality, or more than $2,000 worth of property damage, Tex. P.W.C. §31.105 requires all involved operators to file a written report about the incident with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department within 30 days of its occurrence. While this report is confidential and cannot be admitted in court as evidence of criminal activity, fulfilling this legal requirement is effectively a prerequisite to successful civil recovery. A boat accident attorney in Melissa could provide guidance about these and other requirements, as well as assistance meeting them if necessary.

Seeking Compensation After a Watercraft Accident

Accidents that involve maritime vessels can serve as grounds for civil litigation if an injured party can prove negligence by another party involved. This specifically entails proving that the allegedly negligent defendant did something reckless or careless enough to constitute a breach of a duty of care, and that this breach was the proximate cause of the losses for which the claimant is seeking financial restitution.

Because the purpose of civil recovery is to compensate a claimant for specific losses, the value of a watercraft accident case can vary a lot depending on the circumstances of the accident and the effect(s) it had on those involved. With help from a boat collision lawyer in Melissa, it may be possible to more effectively demand compensation for both economic and non-economic forms of harm, including medical bills, vessel damage, lost work income, physical pain, and emotional trauma.

Get in Touch with a Melissa Boat Accident Attorney Today

Between the relative lack of external safety features and the ever-present risk of drowning, maritime accidents can often be even more dangerous to vessel occupants than car crashes are to drivers and their passengers. In light of that, effective civil recovery can be especially important following an incident caused by negligence on the water.

If you want optimal odds of getting the compensation you deserve, retaining a Melissa boat accident lawyer may be an essential first step. Call today to set up a free consultation.