Corpus Christi Fishing Charter Accident Lawyer: Who Is Liable for Passenger Injuries?

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Fishing charters departing from Corpus Christi, Texas, are a popular way for both residents and tourists to enjoy the Gulf. A day on the water can quickly turn into a nightmare when a boating excursion ends in an accident with injured victims. Speaking with a qualified lawyer after a boat accident in Corpus Christi can help you understand your legal options and rights.

Whether the accident occurs at the dock, near the shoreline, or miles offshore, determining liability is rarely simple in boating accidents. A Corpus Christi maritime injury lawyer has the necessary experience required to navigate a complicated personal injury claim. If you’ve been injured on a fishing charter and need to pursue compensation for your injuries, it’s time to contact the Texas boat accident attorneys at Carabin Shaw. We offer a free case review at 1-800-862-1260.

According to the United States Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety, Texas consistently has among the highest boating accident rates in the country, largely due to its extensive recreational waterways and coastline. The most common causes of boat accidents are operator error/inattention, excessive speed, equipment failure, and hazardous weather. Examples of negligence that could lead to a charter boat injury claim include:

• Operator error, inexperience, or intoxication
• Inadequate or faulty safety equipment
• Improper vessel maintenance or repair
• Failure to monitor changing weather
• Overloading the vessel
• Improper training of charter staff
• Failure to follow established safety protocols

If you’ve been injured on a charter boat, a Corpus Christi boat accident lawyer can help investigate whether negligence contributed to your accident and identify any potentially liable parties. The maritime attorneys at Carabin Shaw have over three decades of experience fighting for victims like you.

Fishing charter accidents can happen for a multitude of reasons, and more than one party may share responsibility. In fact, in Texas, even if you are partially responsible for the accident that resulted in your injury, you may still be able to pursue compensation, minus your share of contributory negligence.

For example, if you are awarded $100,000 in damages but you are found to be 20% liable for the accident that led to your injuries, you’d be entitled to 80% of the damages: $80,000. An experienced attorney can ensure that your portion of liability is correctly calculated. Potentially liable parties for a charter boat accident include:

• Charter boat operators
• Charter boat owners
• Captains and other crew members
• Equipment manufacturers
• Maintenance providers

Preserving evidence after a boating accident is one of the most important steps to take, especially if you’ve been injured. Medical records, witness statements, and maintenance records can all play a role when determining liability. An experienced lawyer can help find and document this evidence before it is lost or destroyed, which may include:

• Accident reports
• USCG investigations
• Vessel maintenance logs and records
• Passenger and witness photographs and videos
• Medical records and bills
• Expert testimony

A boating accident during a fishing charter can result, depending on the victim’s injuries, in extensive medical treatment, lost wages, long-term rehabilitation, and emotional pain and suffering. A well-qualified, experienced attorney can assess whether maritime law applies to your claim and explain how the applicable rules may differ from those in traditional injury claims.

If you are still on the fence about seeking legal representation for your claim, take a look at our law firm’s client reviews to see how other people have fared in similar circumstances. A team of experienced attorneys is ready to help you. You can call anytime, 24/7, and speak with someone in English or Spanish at our toll-free number, 1-800-862-1260. We offer a free case review, and you pay nothing unless we win your case. You can also contact us online.

For more information:

• Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 139
• Accident Statistics