Boat Accidents

Texas has a problem with boating accidents, primarily with motorboats. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, in 2023, Texas was 4th in boating injury accidents and tied for second place in the number of boating fatalities.The numbers were much the same in 2022.

The most common types of boating accidents are:

  • Collisions with other watercraft
  • Collisions with objects
  • Flooding or swamping
  • Grounding, and
  • Capsizing

All of these can be caused by the inattention, inexperience, speed, and alcohol use of a boat operator, the most significant factors contributing to serious injuries and death in boat accidents.

The personal injury law firm of Ted B. Lyon & Associates a proven track record, with more than 50 years of successful verdicts and settlements in serious injury and wrongful death cases. Attorney Ted Lyon is a relentless fighter for what is right for his clients.Call 877-833-5966 for a free initial consultation with a Dallas boat accident lawyer.

We handle boating accident cases for area lakes such as Lake Lewisville, White Rock Lake, Grapevine Lake, Joe Pool Lake, Lake Lavon, Lake Granbury, Lake Texoma, Ray Roberts Lake, Lake Whitney, Lake Richard Chambers, Cedar Creek Lake, and Lake Tawakoni.

Identifying the Cause of Boating Accidents

A skilled Dallas boating accident attorney does three things: they identify what happened, they gather the evidence needed to prove who is financially responsible, and they protect your right to full and fair financial recovery.

  • If a person falls or was thrown from a boat because it was hit by another boat or runs aground, chances are a captain is at fault or shares in the fault.
  • The same if a smaller boat is hit, or flooded, or capsized by the actions of a larger boat.
  • A captain can place a water skier at risk by where and how they drive the boat.
  • The boat captain has a duty to look for risks, like submerged objects or swimmers in the water by another vessel. But not all risks will be visible.
  • A passenger may fall from the boat because of how the captain is driving or because the passenger has had too much to drink.

Most boating deaths result from drowning or trauma, and they are far more likely to occur with boat captains have little or no training and are inexperienced.

Machinery failure is another possible cause of boating accidents. This could mean a boat manufacturer is financially liable in a product liability case.

  • A fire or explosion could result from equipment problems.
  • People have been electrocuted by stray current on a vessel.
  • People can be poisoned by carbon monoxide from faulty equipment.

A marina can also play a role in contributing to accidents for failing to have or enforce rules for safe traffic and operation. So, there may be a premises liability case as well.

Achieving Financial Recovery After a Dallas Boat Accident

Texas does not require boaters to carry insurance so the person who caused the accident may or may not have boat insurance. Some boat owners assume their homeowner’s policy covers their boat. If it does, that is property insurance and not liability insurance. It would not cover injuries.

If the person who caused the accident does not have insurance, your own boat insurance will need to cover the cost. If it’s your own insurer, do you still need a lawyer? Based on our years of experience, the answer to that question is yes. We have had to help many accident victims recover compensation from their own insurers. We know how challenging that can be.

Your Dallas boat accident lawyer will work to ensure full and fair payment for serious injuries such:

Call for a Free Consultation with a Boat Accident Lawyer

Call for a free initial consultation to discuss your injury: 877-Ted-Lyon / 877-833-5966 or contact us via email. We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means we only earn a fee if we win your case. Home and hospital consultations are available if you are unable to visit our office.

Learn more about our Dallas boating accident attorneys. Our firm has been recognized in many ways over the years, including selection to the Super Lawyers list and an AV Preeminent Rating* in Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system.

*AV Preeminent is a certification mark of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories: legal ability and ethical standards.