Watercraft accidents unfortunately become front page news in communities surrounding lakes and rivers. These accidents can be easily prevented with driver attention and adequate safety measures put in place. However, many drivers of watercraft believe that either waterway rules do not apply to them, or simply do not know the laws which regulate watercrafts. If you have been the victim of a watercraft accident due to excessive speed, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

Watercraft accidents occur in any type of circumstance, whether it be blue skies or torrential downpours. Watercraft accidents and the resulting injuries hinge largely on the actions of the driver at the time of the accident. Drivers of boats and other watercrafts must be on guard each minute while on the waterway. Boats are much larger than ordinary motor vehicles, and therefore come with a host of new laws and safety measures to follow. While speedboats seem to whizz by on any lake or river, all watercrafts must pay careful attention to speed signs and “no wake” zones. Lakes and rivers are often full of swimmers and people on smaller watercraft who will have little to no time to quickly move out of the way of a speeding watercraft.

The excessive speed of a watercraft during an accident can dictate the amount of recovery and the liability for the accident itself. The driver is often at fault for a watercraft accident caused by excessive speed, unless an outside factor comes into play, such as a defective product or manufacturing error. Excessive speed often leads to terrible injuries by everyone involved in the accident. However, if you are in a non-motor watercraft or swimming in the water without a watercraft, you may suffer more extreme injuries. Speed boats drivers who behave negligently often speed through swimming zones and “no wake” zones which can cause serious injuries to others in the area.

As a victim of a watercraft accident caused by excessive speed, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries by the negligent party. The compensation often covers the following:

• Medical expenses
• Hospital visits
• Loss of wages
• Future earnings
• Loss of consortium

Injuries stemming from watercraft injuries are often quite severe and can lead to months of rehabilitation and time spent without the ability to work. You should not be forced to cover the expense of these months. Instead, the negligent driver who caused the accident should cover the expense of your medical care and any other financial repercussions.

If you or a loved one have been the victim of a watercraft injury, do not hesitate to contact Tony Malley from the Malley Law Firm. Tony Malley has years of experience in assisting clients with their watercraft injury claims. Excessive speed is one outside factor that is easy to control – an accident that results from excessive speed is largely based on driver incompetence the driver’s careless attitude. Contact our Texas offices today for your initial free consultation.