If you’ve been injured by a jet ski in Texas, it’s important to know exactly what actions you need to take in the aftermath of the incident. When you follow these guidelines, you have the best chance at holding negligent jet ski operators accountable for your injuries, damages, and expenses.
You are entitled to medical expenses when someone injures you while acting negligently, and you may also be able to get awarded damages for your pain and suffering. In this article, we’ll outline the specific steps you should take if you want to sue for damages.
While we’ve covered some of this before, we’ll go into more detail about what exactly you should do to build the strongest case possible.
Let’s dive in.
1. First, Get Medical Help
Even if you feel okay after a collision or accident, you still need to see a doctor. Adrenaline is powerful, and it can hide injuries in the immediate aftermath of an accident. Plus, your medical records will be important evidence in your case.
2. Notify the Parks and Wildlife Department
Jet ski accidents are handled by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. They enforce regulations on Texas waters. They set the rules that operators need to follow, like a ban on minor children under the age of 13 operating jet skis, or the ban on any person driving a jet ski while intoxicated.
It’s the same as notifying the police after a car accident, but with jet ski accidents, you should notify the TPWD. If you cannot reach them, contact the police instead.
3. Collect as Much Evidence as Possible
It is best to have as much evidence as possible, and it’s easiest to get it right away. You should collect every piece of evidence you can at the scene as soon as possible.
Possible evidence includes:
- Pictures of the scene of the wreck
- Names and contact information of witnesses
- Insurance information for those involved
- Parks and Wildlife Department reports
- Documentation of medical bills
Gather any information relevant to the event and save it for when you meet with your lawyer.
4. File the Claim in Time
In Texas, the deadline for submitting your claim to court is two years from the date of your jet ski accident.
Failing to meet that deadline means that you may lose the right to sue. A quality attorney can help streamline the process and avoid any pitfalls that cause delays.
Conclusion
If you’re diligent about collecting evidence and getting medical care, it will make getting damages awarded in your case much easier. Take care of yourself, and then get in touch with legal experts that can get you compensated for what you’ve been through.
