Texas Boating Accident Lawsuits: Important Information for the Victims of Boat Accidents

Boating can be a fun way to enjoy the outdoors during the warm spring and summer months. It can also be risky, especially if the proper safety precautions are not taken.

Being aware of what these precautions are, as well as the common causes of boat accidents, is crucial to staying safe on the water and minimizing the risk of boating accidents.

Hurt in a Boating Accident?
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The experienced Houston personal injury attorneys at the Amaro Law Firm can explain your rights and recovery options in the aftermath of a boating accident. If you can’t visit our offices, we offer virtual and mobile consultations.

Boating Accident Causes & Statistics

Texas Boating Accident Lawsuits

Boat accidents can be caused by any number of factors, like (but not limited to):

• The actions (or inactions) of boat operators – The inexperience and/or recklessness of operators can result in failures to comply with navigation rules. It may also involve drunk boating, operating boats while distracted and/or otherwise being careless or negligent when operating a boat (or other watercraft).
• Equipment failures or malfunctions – This can result from defective equipment, failure to maintain equipment or improper use of boat equipment.

Revealing more about the incidence and causes of boating accidents, the latest data from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)¹ indicates that:

• Operator error is the single most common cause of boating accidents.
• The most common operator errors contributing to boat accidents include alcohol impairment, operator inexperience, operator distraction and speeding.
• About 80 percent of fatal boat accidents involved a drowning. Of these drownings, 83 percent of the victims were not wearing lifejackets at the time of the accident.
• Deadly recreational boating accidents are on the rise, increasing more than 11 percent since 2015.
• Motorboats are, by far, the most common type of vessel involved in boating accidents (including deadly boat accidents).

10 Essential Tips for Preventing Boat Accidents

Minimize your risk of a boat accident any time you operate (or ride on) a boat by following these safety tips:

1. Make sure the boat has the required safety equipment, including lifejackets, a fire extinguisher and visual distress signals (like flares).
2. Take a boating safety course to obtain your boater education certification – The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) offers online and classroom instruction on boating safety.
3. Learn how to swim or brush up on your swimming skills.
4. Familiarize yourself with Texas boating laws and comply with them whenever taking a boat out.
5. Plan your course or trip ahead of time. This forethought can help you avoid risky waters or other dangers that may contribute to boat accidents.
6. Don’t drink and boat. Boating while drunk can result in DUI charges, as well as elevating the risk of accidents, injuries and deaths on the water.
7. Check the weather before a boating trip. Reroute or reschedule your boating excursion if the forecast indicates storms or other adverse weather conditions.
8. If children will be part of your boating trip, make sure they wear lifejackets and that they are under adult supervision at all times.
9. Develop an emergency plan in case an accident happens.
10. Be ready to contact a lawyer if a boating accident occurs.

Additional information about Texas boating laws and safety is available in this TPWD boating handbook.

How to Recover from a Boat Accident

No matter how careful and prepared you may be, the negligence of others can put you at risk of a boating accident. When a boat accident does happen, determining whether negligence was involved will be important to understanding your options for financial recovery.

A Houston personal injury lawyer at the Amaro Law Firm can provide invaluable insight, support and guidance in the aftermath of a boat accident by:

• Identifying whether negligence was a contributing factor
• Pointing out all liable parties
• Informing you about the available legal remedies
• Aggressively advocating your rights to compensation for your accident-related injuries and losses.

In general, recoveries for boat accident victims can include damages for (but not necessarily exclusive to):

• Medical bills and treatment costs
• Property repairs
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering.

Get Experienced, Effective Representation for Your Boat Accident Claim: Contact a Houston Personal Injury Lawyer at the Amaro Law Firm

A Houston personal injury lawyer at the Amaro Law Firm is ready to review your potential claim and help you take action to position it for the best outcome possible.

Call (713) 352-7975, text (281) 612-8024 or email our firm for a free consultation. Mobile and virtual consultations are available if you cannot make it to our offices for this meeting.

Backed by decades of experience, our attorneys have skills, knowledge and resources you can rely on for the highest quality legal services. Our history of outstanding representation and success in various personal injury cases has earned us 5-star ratings on Google and Facebook.

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1: As reported in the USCG’s Recreational Boating Statistics 2016