Beaumont Boat Accident Lawyer

Beaumont Boat Accident Attorney

Many residents and tourists alike enjoy the many different lakes, rivers, and coastlines of Texas. It’s made it a popular destination for recreational activities like boating and fishing. However, more people on the water also means a higher chance of injury. If you have been injured due to a boating incident caused by someone else, hire a Beaumont boat accident lawyer as soon as you can. These professionals will investigate your case and fight to help you secure justice and compensation for what happened.

At Renick Law Firm, PLLC, we understand how stressful it can feel to take care of your injuries, knowing you have legal responsibilities to manage as well. This is where we can help. We have a strong understanding of personal injury law and the nuances that apply to boating accidents. While you are in recovery, we will take on the legal work to ensure your case is not unnecessarily delayed. This can help you heal with the peace of mind you need at this moment.

Common Causes of Boat Accidents in Texas

Understanding the most common reasons why boating accidents happen in Texas can help the community prevent them from happening and guide them to build a strong legal case when they do.

Some of the most common reasons include:

• Inattention. Being distracted while out on the water can increase the chances of an accident. Whether the boat operator is being distracted by another passenger or their electronic devices or is simply not paying attention to their surroundings, taking their eyes off the water for a moment could be enough to cause an incident.
• Excessive speeds. Just like on the Texas roadways, speeding in a boat can also increase your chances of crashing. When you speed in a boat, it reduces your reaction time to unexpected hazards, like rocks in a shallow area or another boat in the area.
• Operator inexperience: Just like driving a traditional car, operating a boat requires a special set of skills and experience. Inexperienced drivers are more likely to make rookie mistakes, like turning a boat sharper than one should to avoid an object in the water, causing the boat to flip.
• Boating while intoxicated: Operating a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not only illegal but also very unsafe. It puts yourself, your passengers, and everyone else on or in the water in an unsafe situation.

With 169 reported boating incidents happening throughout Texas in 2024, it’s important to be aware of how to handle the legalities of these situations with a boat accident lawyer if this happens to you. What might seem like an ordinary day out on the Neches River can quickly lead to a tragic incident, highlighting just how important it is to know what to do next in the aftermath of a boat accident.

What to Do After a Texas Boat Accident

After an accident, it can be difficult to know what to do next. However, following these few steps can significantly increase your safety and position your legal claims for success.

• Ensure safety: Your first priority after being in a boat accident is to ensure you and everyone else are safe. Secure the boat, check for immediate injuries that need attention, and call for help.
• Seek medical attention: Even if you don’t spot any injuries, it’s still recommended to be evaluated by a medical professional. Sometimes, injuries don’t present symptoms or concerns until a few days later.
• Report the accident: Texas law requires certain incidents to be reported. For example, all boating accidents that result in property damage over $2,000 must be reported to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and local law enforcement. This also applies to Beaumont.

You should also contact a boat accident lawyer as soon as possible. With a staggering $769,868 of property damage reported from boating accidents in 2023, there is plenty of money to fight for in these cases through settlements and courts that can help fund the damages you endured.

FAQs

How Long Does a Boat Accident Claim Typically Take to Resolve?

The timeline of a boat accident claim will vary on a case-by-case basis, depending on its complexity. More straightforward claims with clear liability and minor damages are more likely to settle quicker, while cases with lengthy investigations and extensive damages to calculate could take much longer. Different factors, such as the responsiveness of insurance companies, all play a role in how long a case will take.

What Type of Compensation Can I Seek After a Boat Accident?

There are many different types of compensation for boat accident victims to cover the different angles of their loss. Economic damages include all past and future medical bills, lost wages if time was spent away from work, and the cost to repair any damaged property. From a non-economic standpoint, victims could make an argument for the pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life that have resulted. A lawyer can help make a compelling case for all of these damages.

What Is the Role of Insurance in a Boat Accident Claim?

Insurance companies are often the primary source of compensation for damages and injuries after a boating accident. Your own personal boat insurance policy might offer to cover some of your medical treatments and property damage. The individual found at fault for causing the accident will need to use their liability insurance to cover any damage they caused to others. An experienced lawyer can take over negotiations with insurance companies to maximize your reward.

What If the At-Fault Boater Is Uninsured or Underinsured?

Unfortunately, not all boaters carry adequate insurance. Some may not have insurance at all. If you are involved in a boating accident where the at-fault party is either uninsured or underinsured, it can complicate your case. However, it doesn’t mean there isn’t an avenue for compensation. For instance, your attorney could help you pursue a personal injury claim directly against the negligent party as an alternative path to receiving compensation through insurance.

Reach Out to Renick Law Firm, PLLC, After a Beaumont Boating Accident

If you have been in a boating accident in Beaumont and are not sure what to do next, contact our firm today. We deeply understand Texas boating laws and personal injury claims, which allows us to help you get the support you need for a full physical and financial recovery.