a boat flipped over on some rocks

With the Gulf Coast and numerous rivers and lakes, boating is a popular recreational activity in Texas. Although many Texans are experienced boaters, many different scenarios can cause a boating accident that results in serious injuries. Unfortunately, a lot of these boating accidents are caused by negligence.

Discuss Your Case With a Houston Boating Accident Attorney

If you or your loved one have been injured in a boating accident, we recommend discussing your case with an experienced attorney. Victims and their families may be entitled to compensation through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. The skilled personal injury attorneys at Ceja Law Firm PLLC work diligently to pursue the total amount of compensation our clients deserve. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation and learn more about your legal options. 

Common Causes of Boating Accidents

Any watercraft can be dangerous, but the most common boating accidents typically involve recreational boats and watercraft such as jet skis, water skis, and motorboats. Boating accidents can occur at any time, but most result from driver error or boating while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

Boat operators who are inexperienced and haven’t completed a boating safety education course are responsible for a significant percentage of boating accidents. Operating a boat recklessly, with a lack of experience in navigating, poor weather conditions, at an unsafe speed, or when distracted can all cause dangerous boating accidents, such as:

  • Boat capsizing
  • Boats sinking or flooding
  • Explosions on vessels
  • Vessels catching fire
  • Boats colliding with other structures, such as buoys, docks, or piers
  • Boats colliding with other boats
  • Passengers falling overboard
  • Passengers drowning because they were not wearing a life vest
  • Poorly maintained boats
  • Boats capsizing
  • Jet ski accidents
  • Kayak accidents
  • Water skiing accidents

How a Boating Accident Attorney Can Help You

If you or your loved one have been seriously injured in a boating accident, you may be wondering what steps you should take next. Pursuing a claim may seem overwhelming, but we recommend discussing your case with an attorney. You only have a limited amount of time to file a claim, and an attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options. 

When you work with Ceja Law Firm PLLC, you can rest assured that you will have a strong advocate on your side fighting for the total compensation you deserve. You can trust our skilled legal team to thoroughly investigate your case and gather all necessary evidence to prove who was responsible for your injuries. 

We Will Advocate For You Every Step of the Way

We will work with financial experts to thoroughly document all of the financial losses you’ve endured so we can demand maximum compensation for your claim. When determining the cause of the accident, we have a network of accident reconstruction experts to develop a strong case. Our attorneys know how to negotiate aggressively with insurance companies and defendants for a fair settlement that will cover all of your current and future expenses. When a settlement cannot be reached, our trial-ready litigators are prepared to represent you in court.

Houston Maritime Laws and Regulations

Personal injury lawsuits Involving boating accidents are somewhat unique because maritime laws may become important. Also known as boating law or admiralty law, maritime law governs vessels on waterways and those who operate vessels. Boat operators should understand and follow relevant maritime laws to ensure water safety for themselves and those around them, such as:

  • Requiring anyone under 13 to wear flotation devices while on board
  • Not operating a boat while impaired
  • Reporting all boating accidents that require immediate first aid or property damage over $2,000

Even experienced boaters need to stay up-to-date with current boating laws. Failure to comply with these regulations is an indication that the boating operator was acting negligently. The attorneys at Ceja Law Firm PLLC have an extensive understanding of maritime laws. They will investigate the accident and determine which law or laws were broken, which can help prove liability in a boating accident case.

How Much Is My Boating Accident Case Worth?

The amount of compensation you can recover after a boating accident depends on multiple factors. No two boating accident cases are alike. Typically, the more severe a person’s injuries, the higher the case’s value. If you would like to know more about how much your boating accident case is worth, we recommend discussing your case with an experienced attorney. The attorneys at Ceja Law Firm PLLC will help you better understand your case’s value. We offer potential new clients a free initial consultation so they can ask questions and learn more about their legal rights and what their case may be worth.

Damages Available in Boating Accidents

There are two different types of damages available in most boating accident cases: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are easily quantifiable damages that result from your injuries, such as:

  • Current and future lost income
  • Current and future medical costs
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Physical therapy costs
  • Medication expenses
  • Travel costs to and from doctor’s appointments

Non-economic damages don’t have an exact dollar value but can cause ongoing difficulty for boating accident victims. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional trauma, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. If you have lost your loved one in a boating accident, you may have the right to bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the person or company whose negligence caused your loved one’s death. In wrongful death lawsuits, plaintiffs can recover funeral expenses, lost income, and other essential damages.

Contact a Skilled Houston Boating Accident Attorney

Boating accidents lead to serious injuries and deaths every year in Texas. If you or your loved one has been injured while boating, you may be entitled to file a claim against the negligent party who caused the boating accident. Boating accident victims with significant injuries often require extensive rehabilitation and long-term care. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Ceja Law Firm PLLC have a proven track record of success recovering compensation for boating accident victims and their families. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation.