Irving Boat Accident Lawyer
Boating is a popular pastime that many enjoy on the numerous lakes throughout the state. Unfortunately, boating can be a dangerous activity that ends in catastrophic accidents. Although boating fatalities have been in steady decline, far too many boaters face criminal charges for boating while intoxicated each year. Impairment is one of the many circumstances involving negligence that can lead to accidents with devastating injuries.
If you or a loved one were injured while on a watercraft, you may be able to pursue an injury claim with the help of an Irving boat accident lawyer. The services of an experienced personal injury attorney can be critical in pursuing damages following a boating accident in which you have suffered injuries.
Proving Negligence following a Boating Collision
Depending on the circumstances and the location of the accident, either state law or federal maritime law may apply in a boat accident case. As a result, individuals may have jurisdictional choices about where they file a civil lawsuit. Regardless of the most appropriate or advantageous forum, however, individuals who are negligent in operating boats may be liable for injuries and property damage in accidents that they cause.
Boat operators have an obligation to operate their watercraft safely for all parties involved, and when they fail to fulfill this obligation, they may be negligent. Establishing negligence in a boat accident case involves evidence to support the four separate elements of negligence. These elements include proof of:
- A legal duty of boaters to operate their boats in a safe manner
- A breach of the legal duty to operate boats safely
- A breach proximately caused the boat accident at issue
- The boat accident caused the injury victims to suffer damages
Boat operators may breach their legal duty of care in various ways, such as by failing to follow waterway rules or driving their boats recklessly. The resulting water vessel crashes can lead to catastrophic injuries for boat occupants, the drivers of other boats, and individuals on personal watercrafts. Whether negligence results from impairment, inexperience, distraction, or another reason altogether, a diligent boat accident lawyer in Irving may be able to help injured parties pursue damages.
Recovering Compensation after a Boat Crash in Irving
Injured parties may be able to recover compensation for a wide range of damages due to a boating accident. Injured claimants may be eligible to recover compensation for economic damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs. Other related damages may include medical assistive devices and modifications to homes and vehicles to accommodate permanent disabilities.
Other damages that may be available in boat accident cases can include non-economic damages, including physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, and physical impairment and disfigurement. In cases involving catastrophic injuries, individuals may suffer permanent changes to their appearances and the inability to participate in activities that they previously enjoyed. Damages for these intangible losses may be available with the help of a boat accident attorney in Irving.
In the event of a lethal accident, surviving family members may be able to recover damages for the death of their loved one through a wrongful death claim. Specific damages available in a wrongful death case may include lost earning capacity of the decedent, loss of inheritance, and the loss of love and companionship. Family members also may be able to recover compensation for loss of the value of household services contributed by the decedent and their mental pain and anguish resulting from the loss of their loved one.
Consult an Irving Boat Accident Attorney Today
Boating accidents can result in fatalities and devastating injuries to the occupants and operators of boats. When negligence causes an accident resulting in bodily injuries, property damage, or death, injured parties may have legal recourse. With the help of an Irving boat accident lawyer, individuals may be able to recover compensation for their losses.
If you are a casualty of a boating accident, you should not hesitate to seek legal advice after accidents occur. State law imposes time limits on the ability of injured parties to file claims for their losses. Failure to file claims within this timeframe can result in an inability to pursue compensation for your injuries. Schedule a consultation today to discuss your legal options.