Austin Boating Accident Attorney
Boating Accidents in Austin, TX
Austin, Texas has become notorious for its many car accidents which clog up highways and lead to extensive injuries. Many of these are due to outside circumstances or the negligence of another driver. However, boating accidents are not nearly as common, although many of these lead to extensive injuries as well. If you or a loved one have been involved in a boating accident, contact our experienced Austin Boating Accident Attorney as you may be able to receive compensation for any injuries from the party responsible for the accident. Boating claims can be complex. Don’t try to go it alone, reach out to us for help today.
Boating Accidents
The U.S. Coast Guard compiles data on boating accidents each year and for 2012, 4,515 accidents were reported which resulted in 651 deaths, 3,000 injuries, and around $38 million in damages. The Coast Guard keeps careful records of all registered boats and recreational vessels, noting that in 2012, there were 5.4 deaths per every 100,000 registered recreational vessels, which represented a 12 percent decrease in the fatality rate from 2011. The majority of fatalities from boating accidents occur due to drowning, with most victims reported as not wearing a life jacket.
Austin has a distinct boating culture which often contributes to the number of boating accidents. Many people get behind the wheel of a boat without understanding all the laws of the bodies of water and important safety precautions. Many boating accidents are caused by uninformed drivers, negligent drivers, or inebriated drivers. That’s why it is so important to contact a seasoned Austin boating accident lawyer immediately if you have been injured on the water. Boating under the influence is a major issue on Austin lakes which often become populated during popular holiday weekends such as Memorial Day and Labor Day. Boaters often set sail around a lake to day drink during these holiday weekends, without much regard for other boaters on the lake, and often cause severe collisions which can not only impact another boat but also swimmers or people riding jet skis. Pitting a boat against a person or a jet ski often leads to traumatic injuries.
Boating accidents often lead to severe injuries, many of which are caused by the lack of attention to proper boating procedures. These injuries include those sustained by drowning or inhaling too much water, such as brain and nerve damage, as well as broken bones, burns, and internal injuries. As a victim of a boating accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our Austin boating accident attorney can help.
Contact Our Austin Boating Accident Attorney
Attorney Joe Lopez is experienced in handling boating accidents throughout the Austin area and understands the severe injuries which can result from boating accidents. Boating accidents are unique in that people assume that severe injuries will not result from any accidents on the water. However, it is important to keep in mind that boats are vehicles just as cars are vehicles, and can inflict severe damage on any person or object that comes in their way. If you or a loved one have been injured in a boating accident, do not hesitate to contact the Austin Personal Injury Lawyer at Joe Lopez Law. Contact our Austin office today for your initial free consultation.