Issues surrounding matters like jurisdiction and governing law don’t often come up in the wake of a Texas motor vehicle accident case.
The bottom line for involved parties engaged in a legal spat involving a car crash is pretty uniform and simple: The matter will almost certainly be litigated in a state court under Texas law.
The outcome is far less obvious involving a Texas-linked recreational boating accident.
The reason for potential difference is grounded in the term “navigable waters,” which we underscore at the proven Houston maritime legal offices of Spagnoletti Law Firm. We note on our firm’s website that a dispute occurring on the navigable waters of a river, lake or ocean can easily give rise to a claim under maritime law.
That means this: the potential for that claim to be governed by either state or federal laws (or sometimes even a combination of both).
If that turns out to be the case, questions can quickly arise concerning liability rules and standards of conduct. The proper and comprehensive identification of defendants can also come into play and, in some instances, even an evaluation of international treaties that might influence a case outcome (e.g., in a matter that involved one or more foreign parties and occurred in offshore international waters).
Recreational boating accidents can assume many forms. An incident might involve a relatively straightforward case of drunk boating. Conversely, it might feature a collision between a recreational boat and commercial conveyance or fishing boat.
Questions or concerns regarding a recreational boating accident and resulting injuries/damage can be directed to a proven maritime law legal team.