As summer gets underway and people are out enjoying all that it has to offer, more people are on boats and waterways. Though boating can be a great way to beat the heat, it isn’t without dangers and risks. And even when you are an experienced boater, you run the chance of being involved in an accident with someone who isn’t.
This may have been the case recently when a couple’s sailboat was hit by a speed boat in the Galveston Channel. According to LoneStar Outdoor News, the accident occurred around 9:30 p.m. on a Sunday night just past Seawolf Fishing Pier near Galveston Island.
The motorboat hit the 27-foot sailboat on its starboard side, putting a hole in it and injuring those on board. The husband and wife on the sailboat were both transported to University of Texas Galveston Medical Branch Hospital.
The fifty-year-old husband operating the sailboat by motor power was thrown overboard when it was struck. His wife, who was standing near the cabin entry, was thrown back into the cabin. He was listed in serious condition in the hospital’s ICU, while his wife had less serious injuries.
After the collision, the operator of the motorboat sped off without lending aid, although he was later tracked down and arrested.
The game wardens located the boat involved in the accident, which led them to the at-fault boater. He has been charged with a felony for leaving the scene, a crime that could carry up to 10 years in prison and fines.
In addition to criminal charges, the boater could face a personal injury claim from the people who were injured in the accident. Just as in auto accidents, at-fault boaters can be held responsible for their actions when they are involved in an injury-causing accident. With the help of a local defense attorney, they can be made to pay.
When on the water this summer, play it safe and remain alert for potential accidents. Whether you are a passenger or a boat owner yourself, your summer fun could be cut short by someone who is boating irresponsibly.
Houston Accident Attorney
Kevin Krist, a Houston personal injury attorney, is available to help people who are injured in accidents like this one. If you’ve been hurt in a car, boat, or other accident, contact his office today at 281-677-3962 for a free consultation.
