What are My Legal Options if Injured in a Water Ski Accident in Houston?
If the negligence of another party caused your injuries or damages in a water ski accident, you should file a claim to have them pay for all of the damages you have suffered. Our water ski accident lawyers are ready to help you in this regard and, irrespective of the extent of your injury or the complexities of your claim, we will see to it that you get the compensation you truly deserve.
Most Water Ski Accidents Result from Negligence
While some water ski accidents are beyond control, most are avoidable. Negligence is punishable by law and if you suffer a water ski accident due to any of the following forms of negligence, we can help you pursue a damages claim settlement.
- Driver inexperience
- Reckless driving
- Not evaluating water conditions properly
- Intoxicated driving
- Product defects
- Mechanical problems
Who Can Operate a Water Ski or Personal Watercraft?
In Texas, only individuals who are at least 13 years of age and have passed a boating safety or equivalent exam are legally allowed to operate watercraft. People over the age of 18 are not required to take any tests but should be capable of handling and operating the watercraft.
Reporting a Water/Jet Ski Accident
In case of a watercraft accident, you should report the incident to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, a warden, or any law enforcement officer near you.
Watercraft accidents should only be reported if the damage exceeds $2,000 or if injuries requiring more than basic first aid are involved. However, it is recommended that you report the accident regardless of the damages or extent of injury because not all injuries manifest themselves right away.
Accidents With Other Water Skis
If you were involved in an accident involving another watercraft, we recommend that you seek the necessary medical attention and legal counsel as soon as you can. Talking to an attorney about your accident will help in determining liability and in seeking any financial compensation you may be entitled to.
Since personal watercraft are subject to federal and state laws, litigation involving them can be quite confusing. Insurance companies take this fact to their advantage to undercompensate victims. This makes it that much more important to have a lawyer representing you in a watercraft claim.
Common Water Ski Accident Injuries
Since water skis offer little body protection, accidents involving them can result in serious injuries. Whatever injury you incur due to the negligence of another party, our lawyers will help you pursue compensation. Such injuries may include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries
- Concussions due to hitting the water at high speeds
- Brain injuries resulting from collisions
- Burns and electrofusion caused by exposed engines
- Whiplash after sudden water ski grounding
Proving Fault in a Water Ski Accident
To some extent, water ski and personal watercraft accident claims follow the same protocols as auto accident claims. This means that if you suffered damages from a water ski, the first step taken by our lawyers will be investigating the incident, collecting evidence, and determining fault.
To determine fault, it must be established that the accused party owed you a duty of care which he or she breached. A breach in the duty of care could be in the form of intoxicated and careless driving on the part of a driver, lack of watercraft maintenance on the part of the owner, and faulty equipment on the part of the manufacturer.
Once the person responsible is identified, the exact type and extent of their breach of the duty of care must be established, after which the accident and its resultant damages can be linked to the at-fault party’s negligence.
Contributory Negligence on Water Skis
Texas is one of the states that have implemented the law of comparative fault. What this law states is that if an accident involving two parties occurs, each party’s contribution to the accident is determined, after which damages are appropriated accordingly. What this means is, if another person led you into a water ski accident whose total damages are $10,000 but your actions contributed 20% to the accident, you will only receive 80% of the damages in compensation, or $8,000.
What Are Your Claim Options After a Water Ski Accident?
The responsible party’s insurance company may compensate your water ski accident injuries. In some situations, though, you might need to seek compensation from your personal health insurance provider. This is important if the at-fault party is not insured.
Even though financial settlement may not get you back to the exact place in your life you were before the accident, it will most definitely make recovery from injuries easier and reduce your financial burdens. Our lawyers will help you seek full settlement for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Inability to earn
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of companionship
Punitive Damages and Wrongful Death Claims
If you feel that the intentional or negligent conduct of a party that led you your water ski accident should not go unpunished, our lawyers will help you file a punitive damage claim. The same applies if the accident led to the wrongful death of a loved one. In this case, filing a claim will focus on winning a settlement for funeral bills, loss of inheritance, and loss of future earnings.
We Are Here to Help! Free Consultations 24/7
Click here to tell us about your accident. We will schedule a free consultation with you to discuss your legal options and from there, aggressively pursue justice for you. Our award-winning lawyers have decades of water-ski accident claims experience and you can count on our promise to deliver positive results. Call now at 713-677-2179.
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