Texas Boat Accident Lawyers
Hundreds of people across the country are seriously injured or killed in tragic boating accidents each year. Boating accidents can result in death, serious and permanent injuries, extensive medical expenses and lost wages.
If you or a loved one is the victim of a boating accident, talk to a knowledgeable Texas personal injury lawyer. At Roberts & Roberts, we have years of experience helping victims of boating accidents and other personal injuries.
Contact us at 903-597-6000. The call costs you nothing… it could mean everything.
All calls are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We will come to you if you are disabled. You can also use our online contact form.
Roberts & Roberts, a Texas law firm, represents individuals who are victims of boating accidents in Waco, Beaumont, Longview, Lufkin, Texarkana and Tyler. We also handle boating accident claims in Huntsville, Nacogdoches, Greenville, Paris, Corsicana, Marshall, Palestine, Mount Pleasant and Sulphur Springs.
Questions We Hear Most
Do I need a lawyer?
How much will it cost?
Why choose Roberts & Roberts?
Boating Accidents on East Texas Lakes
East Texas has some of the busiest recreational lakes in the state. We have handled injury claims arising on and around:
- Lake Palestine and Lake Tyler near Tyler
- Cedar Creek Lake and Lake Fork
- Lake o’ the Pines and Caddo Lake
- Lake Tawakoni
- Sam Rayburn Reservoir and Toledo Bend Reservoir
- Lake Livingston
Holiday weekends, crowded coves, fishing tournaments and party barges all raise the risk of a crash, especially when operators have been drinking.
Common Causes of Boating Accidents
Most boating accidents are preventable. In our experience, the serious ones usually trace back to one of these:
Operator Inattention
Failing to keep a proper lookout for other boats, swimmers, skiers and tubers.
Boating While Intoxicated
Texas law makes it a crime to operate a boat with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher, the same limit as for driving.
Excessive Speed
Running too fast for traffic, weather or visibility, especially near docks, coves and no-wake zones.
Inexperience
Texans born on or after September 1, 1993 must complete a boater education course to operate most powerboats and personal watercraft alone.
Defective Boats and Equipment
Steering failures, fuel system fires, faulty kill switches and propeller injuries can make a manufacturer responsible.
Unsafe Towing
Pulling skiers or tubers without a spotter, or too close to other boats, docks or the shoreline.
Who Can Be Held Responsible?
Depending on what happened, a boating injury claim can be brought against:
- The operator of the boat or personal watercraft that caused the crash
- The boat owner, if they let an inexperienced or impaired person operate it
- A rental company or marina that failed to maintain equipment or give required safety instruction
- The manufacturer of a defective boat, engine or part. See our products liability page.
Boat owners often carry a separate watercraft policy, and some homeowners policies also cover boating accidents, so we look at every source of insurance coverage.
What to Do After a Boating Accident
Get Medical Care
Head injuries, near-drowning and propeller injuries can be worse than they first appear. See a doctor right away.
Report the Accident
Texas law requires operators to report accidents involving death, disappearance, injury beyond first aid or significant property damage to Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Preserve Evidence
Take photos of the boats, the scene and your injuries, and get names and numbers of the operators, owners and witnesses.
Talk to a Lawyer First
Do not give a recorded statement to an insurance company before you talk with an attorney.
Most Texas injury claims must be filed within two years. Claims that arise on navigable waters can fall under federal maritime law, which has different rules and deadlines, so it is important to talk with a lawyer early. Learn more about the Texas statute of limitations.
If a loved one was killed, our wrongful death lawyers can explain your family’s rights. For boating safety tips, see our guides to boat propeller injuries and boating rules of the road.
Contact Our Texas Boating Accident Lawyers Today
An experienced boating accident attorney on the staff of Roberts & Roberts will review your accident free of charge and explain your legal options. We can help you take the steps necessary to fight for the compensation you deserve after a boating accident causing serious injury.
Contact us today to see if we can help you receive full compensation for your boating accident claim.
Related Resources
Related practice areas: Cruise Ship Injuries · Wrongful Death · Personal Injury
See what we have recovered for clients on our verdicts and settlements page.
100% Free Consultation
"I am so happy to have chosen the best law firm around. The staff is amazing in handling your questions promptly. I hope I don't ever need them again, but if I do, there is no question I will be back. Thank y'all so much for helping me." - Heather N.