Dallas Boat Collision Lawyer

Texas has more inland water per square mile than any other state, as a result, boating and water recreation is hugely popular with both residents and tourists. While boating can be a great way to relax and enjoy the outdoors, when collisions occur, victims are often left with unimaginable pain, expense, and uncertainty.

If you have been the victim of a boating collision because of someone else’s negligence, you shouldn’t be forced to shoulder the burden of your expenses. An injury lawyer can help you recover compensation for your losses so that you can recover and move forward with the financial resources that you deserve.

The boating accident attorneys at The Benton Law Firm understand that life can come to a standstill in the aftermath of a serious boat collision. When you are injured, we are here to help you regain what you have lost. To speak with one of our Dallas boat collision attorneys about your case, contact us at (214) 777-7777 today.

Do I Need a Lawyer?

If you are serious about recovering the compensation that you need after a boat collision, you should reach out to an injury lawyer. While you have the right to file a claim independently, many people who choose to do so face unnecessary delays and often accept settlements far below the dollar amount they deserve. With the guidance of a skilled injury attorney, you can feel confident knowing that you have a capable champion fighting for your best interests.

If you were involved in an accident with another boater, if they were at fault, their insurer may ultimately be responsible for covering your expenses. While people should always have insurance coverage, the unfortunate truth is that many boaters fail to invest in comprehensive boating coverage. If the at-fault party is uninsured or doesn’t have coverage, they may be forced to tap into their assets or homeowner’s insurance to cover damages. Your attorney will evaluate your unique case and help determine which course of action will yield the most beneficial results for you and your family.

Why Hire The Benton Law Firm to Handle My Case?

The personal injury legal team at The Benton Law Firm keep our doors open to members of the community who have been injured because of another person’s wrongdoing. We know how isolating injuries can be; they can keep you immobile while you heal, force you to confront exorbitant medical expenses, and possibly hurt your earning potential for years to come. Since boat occupants tend to have little-to-no protective gear, injury victims are often left coping with life-altering injuries.

Our attorneys are here to help make sure that, in spite of your injuries, you can continue to live a good life. When an injury caused by another person’s carelessness costs you thousands of dollars, we fight to make sure this money is recovered. Over the years our lawyers have won millions of dollars on behalf of deserving clients. As a result, we have been awarded many accolades, including being named to the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Though we aim to secure the best possible financial award for you, we believe that you should be able to access excellent legal representation, no matter your financial situation. For this reason, we work on a contingency basis, which means that unless we are able to secure a favorable outcome for you, you don’t pay us. In addition to this, we offer free consultations. If you are unsure about your legal standing, give us a call today for a free discussion about your case.

Boat Collision Cases We Handle

While a boat may collide with another vessel or structure for a variety of reasons, the following are some of the most common causes of collisions:

Driver Inattention – While the open waters may seem calm, boat operators must always survey their surroundings for nearby objects, structures, people, or obstacles. Conditions in the water shift quickly, so drivers must adjust their speed and maneuvering to fit conditions.
Speeding – Operating a boat at a reasonable speed gives drivers valuable time to account for any obstacles. Operators of speeding boats have less control over their vessel if the water suddenly becomes choppy or difficult to manage.
Driver Inexperience – An annual report from the U.S. Coast Guard reveals that inexperience boat operators are the third-most common cause of boating collisions. Inexperienced operators tend to be unfamiliar with the boat they are driving, basic navigational rules, and how to respond in emergency conditions. All of these factors put others at risk.
Failure to Lookout – Some boat operators designate another passenger to help look for potential hazards. When this person doesn’t fulfill their duty, their inattention could lead to a collision with an unidentified structure or hazard.
Mechanical Failure – The owner of the boat must perform regular maintenance on their vessel to make sure that everything is in good working condition. Failure to ensure that the boat is working properly before entering open waters can put the boat occupants and others nearby at risk.
Inclement Weather – Unfortunately, when people get caught in inclement weather while out on the water, their safety can quickly become compromised. When waters become rough the likelihood of an accident rises considerably.
Impaired Driving – Boat operators in Texas with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher are considered legally impaired. When intoxicated vision, coordination, judgment, balance, and reaction ability is compromised.
Dangerous Waters – While operators can’t control the weather, drivers must survey their conditions and drive to conditions. For example, failure to navigate large wakes properly could easily cause the driver to lose control of the vessel, potentially putting passengers and other vessels in danger.
Navigational Violations – Much like motor vehicles, boats must adhere to a set of navigational rules in order to avoid collisions with other boats or structures. Failure to adhere to these rules can leave drivers, passengers, and bystanders with life-threatening injuries.

If you have been injured in a collision because of the carelessness or negligence of another person, make sure that your voice is heard. Reach out to a skilled personal injury lawyer from The Benton Law Firm to discuss your situation and craft a plan moving forward. If you are hurting, there is help available to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

The boat collision attorneys at The Benton Law Firm know how to fight for you when an injury has threatened your mobility, quality of life, and financial independence. If you are looking for the right lawyer, you have plenty of questions and we are ready to address them. Give us a call at (214) 777-7777 for a free consultation.

What are Some Navigational Rules?

It is crucial for boat operators to understand when to give way to other vessels. Depending on the type of vessel you are encountering you may either be the give-way vessel or the stand-on vessel. Give-way vessels must veer around, while the stand-on vessel has the right-of-way and can stay on their course. Here are some quick pointers for boats meeting head-on:

Two power boats: In this instance, both of these boats are give-way vessels, which means they should give way to one another and stay to the right.
Sailboat and powerboat: The sailboat is the stand-on vessel, meaning it has the right of way. The powerboat should veer right.

In addition to rules for meeting head-on, there are also rules for crossing and overtaking. Before you get on the open water, make sure you are educated on each scenario.

Does Texas Require Boating Licenses?

Texas has a certification available to boat operators called the Texas Boating Safety Certificate. This certificate is sometimes referred to as a boating license, but it is the only “license” needed to prove that operators have met the mandatory educational requirements to drive a boat. This certificate, once obtained, is good for life and does not require renewal.

Do All Boat Operators Need a Texas Boating Certificate?

No, but some do. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Code § 31.109 all persons born after September 1, 1993, must have a certificate. Though certification is not required for people born before September 1, 1993, it may drive down insurance costs.

When Should I Call a Lawyer?

If you have been involved in a boating collision, you probably have plenty to deal with. While reaching out to a lawyer may seem like another thing to add to your ever-growing checklist, a lawyer can be hugely helpful in relieving some of the stress that you face. By and large, in order to recover much-needed compensation, injury victims have two years to file an injury claim.

There are some exceptions, but for the most part, this timeline is strict. Though reaching out to an experienced attorney as soon as possible will benefit the overall strength of your case, at the very least, you should take action within two years.

Contact a Dallas Boat Collisions Lawyer Today

Injuries, medical expenses, and lost wages can quickly disrupt the stability of your normal life. If you’ve been injured because of the negligence of another person, you deserve the skilled representation of a personal injury attorney that cares.

When you are hurting, the team at The Benton Law Firm does not shy away from your pain. We are ready to listen to your story so that we can fully understand what you’ve been through and how we can help.

Reach out to us at (214) 777-7777 today to get started.