If you were injured in a boating accident in Houston, TX, you could be entitled to compensation. Medical bills can add up quickly–all while you’re losing income by the day. An experienced Houston boating accident lawyer at Simon & O’Rourke Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight for a full financial recovery.
With over 43 years of combined experience in personal injury law, you can count on us to fight for the full compensation you deserve. To date, we’ve successfully recovered tens of millions in settlements and verdicts. We’re ready to help when you need legal assistance the most. Contact our law offices in Houston, Texas, at (281) 667-4081 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation today.
Why Trust Simon & O’Rourke Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers to Handle My Houston Boating Accident Claim?
Accidents on the water can be particularly scary. When you’re seriously hurt, the fear and uncertainty can last for weeks, if not months. The responsible party should be held liable for your damages.
Texas personal injury laws allow victims to seek compensation. That said, the negligent party and their insurance company won’t simply hand over a fair check. You’ll have to fight for a fair deal.
That’s where our trusted Houston personal injury attorneys at Simon & O’Rourke Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers come in. We can’t take away your pain and trauma. We can fight for the full amount of compensation you deserve under the law.
Hire us, and we’ll help by:
- Investigating and compiling evidence
- Determining who is liable for the accident
- Locating any source of compensation
- Assessing your case value
- Hiring experts as necessary to prove your case
- Defending against allegations that you were responsible
- Negotiating for a full and fair settlement
Our lawyers have been recognized as Texas Super Lawyers. We’ve also earned a place in the Texas Verdict Hall of Fame. Now, our Houston personal injury lawyers are here to protect your interests. Give us a call today to learn more.
How Common Are Boating Accidents in Texas?
The U.S. Coast Guard reported 2,222 boating accident injuries and 636 fatalities nationwide in 2022. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), 175 recreational boating accidents occurred statewide in 2023. 97 people were injured, and 28 people were killed in those accidents. Boating accidents also caused about $769,868 worth of property damage in 2023.
We Handle All Types of Boating Accident Claims in Houston
Our Houston boat accident attorneys have the experience to handle any type of boat accident case, including those involving:
- Collision with other vessels
- Collision with a fixed object
- Propeller accidents
- Running aground
- Flooding/swamping
- Falls overboard
- Capsizing or sinking
- Slip and fall accidents
- Fires and explosions
- Vessel wake damage
- Water Skiing accidents
If you were injured on the water, seek legal representation today. Boating accident claims are often more complicated than your ordinary car accident claim. We have the tools to help.
What is the Value of My Houston Boating Accident Case Worth?
Factors that are most likely to impact your case value strongly include:
- Whether you’ve suffered a severe injury that greatly impacts your quality of life
- Your expenses, including medical treatment costs, rehab, property damage, etc
- The value of income you’ve lost while recovering
- How a severe injury will impact your future earnings
- Your pain and suffering
- Your expected need for ongoing medical care and assistance and its cost
- Whether there is strong evidence to establish liability
In the end, it’s impossible to estimate your case value without understanding the facts. You should, however, be wary of any quick insurance settlement offers. Remember that when you’re seriously hurt, your settlement should likely cover more than your current costs. We can offer more details during a free case evaluation.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Victims of Boating Accidents in Houston?
In personal injury cases, damages compensate victims for the losses they have suffered as a result of an accident and injury. Personal injury laws classify compensatory damages according to whether they compensate for economic or non-economic losses.
Economic damages often include:
- Current medical expenses, including ER visits, hospitalization, surgery, follow-up visits, medications, etc.
- Future healthcare needs
- Rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- In-home assistance
- Property damage
More subjective non-economic damages you might be entitled to include:
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Emotional distress and trauma
- Inconvenience
- Humiliation
- Depression
- PTSD
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium and other damages for wrongful death
Victims have the burden of identifying the types of losses they have suffered. They’re also responsible for establishing the value of those losses.
How Can Texas Comparative Negligence Laws Impact the Value of My Boating Accident Claim?
Your compensation will be reduced if the other side proves you share some fault for the accident. Some victims can lose their right to compensation entirely. Generally, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. However, under Texas’ modified comparative negligence rules, you cannot recover damages at all if your share of fault is greater than 50%. If you are 50% or less responsible, your damages will be reduced by your proportion of fault.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston?
Our team at Simon & O’Rourke Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers works on a contingency fee basis. When you hire us, you’ll agree to pay a portion of the compensation we recover in your case. Typically, we charge somewhere between 33% and 40%, depending on the complexity of your case.
The bottom line is that you’ll never have to worry about paying if we don’t recover compensation. This way, you can always afford to hire our experienced law firm.
Our Team in Houston is Prepared to Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Boating Accident Injuries
Some of the most common injuries sustained by boating accident victims include:
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Concussions
- Dislocations
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Teeth and jaw injuries
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Hypothermia
- Shock
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Fatal injuries
Our team at Simon & O’Rourke Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers has the skills to handle even the most complex injury case. Contact us today for a free case review to learn more about how we’ll fight for your compensation.
What Causes Most Boating Accidents in Houston?
Boaters have an obligation to use caution when operating the vessel. That said, as is the case with car accidents, most boating accidents occur because of negligent behavior.
Some common causes of boat accidents include:
- Failure to keep a proper lookout and operator inattention
- Inexperienced drivers
- Failure to keep a proper lookout
- Drug or alcohol use
- Speeding
- Violation of navigational rules
- Aggressive and reckless operation
- Sharp turns
- Congested or hazardous waters
- Dangerous weather conditions
- Mechanical failures, often caused by failure to maintain the vessel properly
- Defective safety equipment
- Overloading the vessel
- Slippery surfaces, which can lead to slip and falls or falls overboard
If you were injured while aboard a personal watercraft in the Houston area, call our law firm today. We have the skills to help you recover compensation.
What is Negligence, and Why is it Important to Prove a Boating Accident Claim in Texas?
Most boating accident claims are based on negligence theories. Negligence is a legal concept that can take many forms. Speeding, ignoring safety regulations, and even drunk driving can all amount to negligence.
When our lawyers are building your case, we’ll be compiling evidence to prove four separate elements:
- The at-fault party had a legal duty of care
- They did something, or failed to do something, that amounted to a breach of duty
- The breach caused your accident
- Specific damages that you have suffered as a result of the accident
Without proof of these elements, it’s unlikely that you’ll recover fair compensation. Examples of the types of proof that can be useful in negligence cases include:
- Medical records, receipts, and other records of your financial losses
- Expert witness testimony
- Photos and videos from cell phones
- Statements from eyewitnesses
- Physical evidence from the boat itself
- Maintenance records
- Accident reports prepared by the Coast Guard or TPWD
Generally speaking, when compared to car accidents, it’s more difficult to uncover evidence to prove the cause of a boat accident. It’s even more important to consult a lawyer sooner rather than later when evidence can disappear or become damaged.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Boating Accident in Texas?
Assuming your case is governed by Texas state law, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. Wait any longer than two years, and you’ll be barred from pursuing compensation.
Depending on the facts, different deadlines could apply in your case. With boat accidents, it’s always possible that maritime or federal law could govern. Our lawyers are here to evaluate the facts and determine the applicable deadlines in your case, so give us a call today.
Contact an Experienced Houston Boating Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you were injured on the water, an experienced Houston boating accident lawyer can help you get the money you need. Contact Simon & O’Rourke Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help today.
Visit Our Car Accident Law Office in Houston, TX
Simon & O’Rourke Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers
440 Louisiana St Suite 2300-A, Houston, TX 77002
(281) 667 4081
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
