When a day out on the water turns into a disaster because of another boater’s negligence, you may be eligible to pursue a civil claim for compensation. Even if it seems obvious that another party was responsible for an accident, proving someone at-fault for your injuries and losses requires extensive evidence.
Retaining a skilled Katy boat accident lawyer after sustaining injuries in a crash could positively impact your claim for compensation. A seasoned personal injury attorney could help you collect information, build a strong case, and navigate common legal obstacles.
Establishing Fault for a Boat Collision
In many situations, negligence while operating a boat is similar to recklessness while driving a motor vehicle. Someone who exceeds speed limits, fails to look for people and vessels nearby, operates under the influence, or does other careless acts could be responsible for an ensuing accident.
In practice, demonstrating that negligent behavior directly led to specific injuries can be difficult during boat crash litigation. Unlike with most vehicle accidents, there might be no traffic camera footage or police report to review when establishing what happened. Even examining a vessel could be challenging if a boat sunk down to the bottom of a waterway.
Support from a practiced boat wreck attorney in Katy could be vital to organizing evidence and effectively presenting it in pursuit of a settlement or court award. A legal team with experience in similar cases could be crucial for tracking eyewitnesses, reconstructing an accident, and conclusively showing that a defendant was directly responsible for the injuries and losses a plaintiff sustained.
How Comparative Fault Could Impact Recovery After a Boat Collision
Retaining hardworking legal counsel can be essential to achieving a successful outcome to a boat accident claim, especially if a defendant presents allegations of contributory negligence. Under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §33.012, a court could assign a plaintiff a percentage of total blame for an incident if an individual is partially responsible for causing or worsening their damages. This would reduce an individual’s compensation.
Even worse, TX Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §33.001 establishes that any person more to blame for their own accident than all defendants combined is prohibited from collecting any civil compensation. In addition to helping prove liability by other parties involved, a knowledgeable vessel crash lawyer in Katy could also help contest accusations of blame to maximize recoverable compensation. A skilled legal representative could demonstrate that a plaintiff was operating their vessel with care and attention to detail.
Talk to a Katy Boat Accident Attorney About Your Legal Options
Hundreds of boat collisions and other water accidents affect Texas residents each year. Many of those incidents occur because one person acted carelessly. Guidance from a capable legal professional could be what you need to achieve any civil recovery, let alone the amount needed for your specific losses.
A dedicated Katy boat accident lawyer could explain your rights and discuss possible filing options over the course of a confidential consultation. Schedule yours by calling today.