The summer ushers in a carefree atmosphere with plans of traveling to a lake or river to enjoy time on the family watercraft. Unfortunately, accidents are becoming increasingly common which occur due to watercraft operator negligence of defective watercraft components. IF you or a loved one have been involved in a watercraft accident resulting in injuries, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries.

Watercraft accidents unfortunately occur more regularly than you would think. Watercraft accidents are frequently the fault of an inexperienced watercraft operator who was trusted behind the wheel without proper training. The popularity of personal watercrafts have spurred the use of these watercraft among younger operators with little to no experience on the water. A more seasoned or experienced watercraft operator may be able to navigate away from a harmful situation with ease, while an inexperienced watercraft operator may be unable to avoid a collision. Boating under the influence is also a number one cause of many watercraft accidents. The use of watercrafts tend to rise with the big summer holidays, which often go hand-in-hand with alcohol. Inexperienced watercraft operators often do not realize that there are specific laws and regulations which must be followed for the protection of passengers and other watercraft. This disregard for laws and intoxication often lead to serious watercraft accidents.

Watercraft accidents may additionally be caused due to manufacturing errors. If a personal watercraft was incorrectly assembled or a specific component part was not adequately manufactured, a resulting accident may occur. In these cases, the manufacturer or retailer will be liable for any resulting injuries. Products must be carefully inspected before distribution as part of a basic manufacturing duty to consumers. Any unintended use of the product which results in injuries must also be noted on the product itself to prevent unintended accidents.

It is a common misperception that watercraft injuries are not as severe as ordinary motor vehicle accident injuries. However, watercraft often offer much less protection than a motor vehicle, and therefore passengers are very often thrown out of the watercraft, or are subject to unforeseen injuries such as jet thrust into the body.

A victim of a watercraft accident should not be responsible for covering the expense of their injuries. The responsible party to the watercraft accident may be held liable for the following expenses:

• Medical expenses
• Rehabilitation expenses
• Lost wages
• Future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium (for spouses and close family members)

If you believe that you should receive compensation after a watercraft accident, consult with an experienced watercraft accident attorney prior to filing a claim.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a type of watercraft accident, do not hesitate to contact the Malley Law Firm. Tony Malley has years of experience in advising clients regarding their watercraft accidents and in receiving the compensation they deserve for their injuries. Contact our Texas offices today for your initial free consultation.