Warmer weather means more time spent outside on the boat. Millions of Texans each summer pile out onto the water for a day of water sports, sun, and invaluable time spent with family and friends. When this time is disrupted by a boating accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you have to think fast.
After getting your family to safety, it’s time to take steps toward legal recourse. If the accident was caused by another’s reckless behavior, like driving too close, drinking while driving, or they were just simply distracted, you are owed compensation for your damages. One of the first courses of action, and likely the most important, is reaching out to a trusted personal injury attorney. Using years of experience and expertise, they can help get you on the track toward the financial compensation and justice necessary to move forward.
3 Steps to Take Toward Legal Recourse After a Boating Accident
After you and the other passengers are safe and have been thoroughly examined by a medical professional, you can begin taking steps toward getting legal justice for your injuries. Three steps to take to begin the process include the following:
Gather Evidence
No matter who the at-fault party is, whether it’s another driver or the boat manufacturer, you must prove liability. This can be demonstrated through the four basic components of negligence: standard of care, breach of care, causation, and damages. Each of these components will be shown through the evidence gathered. If you are able to safely do so at the scene, gathering photographs or video footage on your phone is a great way to detail what exactly transpired. Other examples include a medical report, police report, and eyewitness testimony.
If you are not able to safely gather evidence or were too overwhelmed to do so, your attorney can help do so for you. They will use key connections to gather time-sensitive information to assess and build your case.
Speak To An Attorney
Having a dedicated and knowledgeable personal injury attorney on your side is key to getting the compensation your family deserves. Insurance companies are not your friend, and attempting to navigate the process without an attorney often will result in low settlements that don’t begin to cover the actual cost of your accident. Your attorney will immediately begin to collect evidence for your case, including expert testimony, security footage if applicable, and more.
The sooner you reach out to an attorney, the sooner they can begin to build your case and determine liability.
File A Claim
Having an attorney by your side means you don’t have to wait to recover from your injuries to file a claim. Instead, while you focus on recovery and healing, they can immediately get to work filing the correct paperwork with all the necessary documentation.
The sooner you file your claim, the sooner you can receive the compensation you need to fully recover. Potential damages for boating accidents in Texas include compensation for medical bills, lost wages due to missed work, cost of surgical procedures, loss of your boat, loss of consortium, and any additional pain and suffering that has occurred as a direct result of your accident.
Injured in a Texas Boating Accident? A Dedicated Lawyer Can Help
With 28 years of experience, Kuzmich Law Firm P.C. has protected the rights of our clients and helped them to receive millions of dollars in compensation. Steve Kuzmich is a board-certified personal injury lawyer who has personally assembled a team of qualified attorneys to help our community receive the best possible outcomes and compensation in their personal injury cases.
Begin the process today and see how we can best help your case by calling (972) 434-1555.