DeSoto Boat Accident Lawyer
While spending time on the water can be relaxing, it can also be an incredibly dangerous activity, especially when other people around you are not careful in how they operate their vessels. Even worse, you may have difficulty getting fair financial recovery after an incident like this if you try to pursue a civil lawsuit or private settlement agreement without professional help.
Having assistance from a compassionate DeSoto boat accident lawyer can make a huge difference in your odds of securing a favorable result from your case. No matter what injuries you sustained or how long those injuries are expected to affect your life, our dedicated personal injury attorneys could work tirelessly to hold the responsible party accountable for your harm and help you get paid for your crash-related losses.
What to Do After a Boating Accident
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Code §31.105, everyone involved in a boat wreck that results in $2,000 or more of property damage, an injury that requires medical care beyond basic first aid, or any disappearance or fatality must file a written accident report with the Parks and Wildlife Department. The deadline for filing this report is 30 days after the collisions occurred unless there was a disappearance or fatality, in which case the filing time limit is 48 hours.
Complying with this reporting requirement is vital to effectively recovering compensation after a boat crash: failing to follow state law in this regard could make it substantially more difficult to proceed with a civil claim. It is also crucial to seek professional medical attention immediately after the accident, even if there are no apparent injuries stemming from it. Likewise, injured victims must follow all instructions from healthcare providers and keep copies of all documentation related to treatment and billing.
Collecting relevant evidence before the lawsuit begins—for example, contact information for witnesses, photos of boat damage or injuries, and photos of where the incident occurred—can be vital to building a strong claim. A knowledgeable DeSoto attorney could offer further guidance about preliminary steps before filing suit for a watercraft crash.
What Damages Can an Injured Person Recover After a Boat Collision?
A comprehensive settlement demand or lawsuit based on a waterborne accident in Texas should seek restitution for all economic and non-economic losses that the victim can connect to the boating incident, including:
- Emergency medical bills and expected future care costs
- Lost income or working ability
- Vessel repair or replacement expenses
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional and psychological anguish
Importantly, Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003 allows just two years after most boating incidents for injured victims to begin the civil litigation process. For this reason, among many others, retaining a hardworking lawyer should be a top priority immediately following a boat collision in DeSoto.
Contact a Boat Accident Attorney in DeSoto for Help
Boat collisions cause serious harm to hundreds of Texans each year, leaving victims with significant injuries and medical bills. When you are hurt in an accident because a negligent boater acted recklessly, the responsible party must compensate you for your ensuing losses.
Achieving a positive outcome from a civil lawsuit or settlement demand is not something you should expect to accomplish alone. Instead, contact a dedicated DeSoto boat accident lawyer for help obtaining fair compensation for your injuries.