Houston Boating Accident Lawyer

Not long after a water-based disaster, you may wonder what a Houston boating accident attorney does. Or how can I bounce back from a watercraft collision? 

Starting with immediate safety precautions—securing medical assistance and preserving evidence—the response moves through understanding Texas’s convoluted responsibility system for boat accident attorney claims. 

From Galveston Bay to Lake Conroe, speedboats, jet skis, ferries, and paddleboats collide in Houston’s crowded waterways to leave survivors with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or worse. 

You can seek the compensation you need to reconstruct your life with the correct legal representative directing your watercraft accident case.

Looking for A Houston Boating Accident Lawyer Near You?

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a boating accident on Houston’s waterways, you are acutely aware of the great need for both strength and clarity. Managing the legal complexity while healing from injuries can be intimidating. 

Here at DeHoyos Accident Attorneys, a qualified Houston boating accident lawyer is ready to offer the direction and assistance required. We:

Explain Your Rights Under Texas Law

Explain your rights under Texas Parks & Wildlife Code §31.104, ensuring you understand the mandates for accident reporting and the duty to render aid.

Gather Critical Evidence

Thoroughly gather critical evidence, including official accident reports, vessel maintenance logs, eyewitness accounts, and any available photo or video documentation of the scene.

Navigate Texas Insurance Requirements

Expertly navigate Texas’s often intricate layers of insurance requirements, from policies covering personal watercraft to the liability coverage of commercial ferries, ensuring you pursue recovery from all applicable sources.

Coordinate with Medical Experts

Coordinate closely with medical experts to comprehensively quantify the full extent of your damages, whether you are facing the challenges of a traumatic brain injury, a spinal cord injury, or the life-altering consequences of an amputation.

Aggressively Negotiate and Litigate

Aggressively negotiate with insurance companies to reach a fair settlement that reflects your losses. Suppose a just resolution cannot be achieved through negotiation. 

In that case, our experienced trial attorneys are prepared to litigate your case vigorously in Harris County courts within the two-year statute of limitations set forth by Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003.

Don’t face the turbulent waters of a boating accident claim alone. Contact DeHoyos Accident Attorneys today for a compassionate and confidential conversation. 

Let us be your trusted advocate, serving all Houston area mariners and paddlers as you navigate the path towards recovery and justice.

Different Types of Boat Accident Cases We Handle

Speedboat Collisions

High-velocity speedboats striking one another or fixed objects often cause catastrophic trauma 

Jet Ski Wrecks

Personal watercraft flips can eject riders at speed, leading to blunt‐force injuries and drowning risks 

Ferry and Water Taxi Accidents

Commercial operators owe heightened duties; negligence can trigger maritime claims under federal and state law.

Paddleboat and Canoe Capsizes

Even seemingly less powerful vessels like paddleboats and canoes can become dangerously unstable in strong currents or wakes from larger boats, posing risks of immersion injuries and hypothermia, especially in cooler waters.

Yacht and Sailboat Mishaps

Collisions involving larger pleasure craft, such as yachts and sailboats, can occur in constricted waterways, resulting in substantial damage to the vessels and serious injuries to those on board.

Kayak and Canoe Accidents

Similar to paddleboats, kayaks and canoes are susceptible to capsizing due to various factors like strong currents, unexpected waves, or operator error, leading to potential drowning or hypothermia incidents.

We Handle All Types of Boating Accident Injuries

TBI

This can result from the unexpected force of impact with hard surfaces on a boat; the effects range from cognitive problems to long-term disability. We know the difficulties families encounter in negotiating the complexity of TBI recovery.

Spinal Cord Injury

A watercraft accident can sadly cause spinal cord damage, either partially or paralysing a victim. Losing mobility and freedom is horrifying, and we are dedicated to finding the tools required for tailored treatment and adaptation.

Bone Fracture

Severe bone fractures—including complex and compression injuries requiring significant medical intervention and a difficult recovery—are caused by the strong forces involved in boat collisions and rollovers.

Drowning

The horrific experience of drowning or near-drowning can cause major problems, including long-term neurological consequences from oxygen deprivation. We understand the significant trauma these events cause.

Laceration and Amputation

The risks of propellers and sharp metal fittings on boats can cause terrible lacerations and possibly the catastrophic limb loss. We are here to assist you negotiate the emotional and physical fallout from such injuries.

Electrical Injury

Severe electrical injuries resulting from contact with a vessel’s defective wiring in the water can cause burns, nerve damage, and other life-threatening problems.

Whiplash

 A minor injury, whiplash—the abrupt and unexpected jolting motions experienced in a boating accident—can create permanent discomfort and restrictions.

Each of these injuries has excellent weight and usually calls for continuous rehabilitation, specific medical equipment, and significant changes to your house and way of life. 

DeHoyos Accident Attorneys is committed to carefully computing not just the immediate expenses but also all present and future costs related to your recovery, ensuring that your claim accurately shows the actual and long-lasting effects of your injuries. 

Please get in touch for a sympathetic consultation right now with our Houston boating accident lawyer if you are dealing with the repercussions from boating accident injuries. Let us guide you toward justice and healing.

Common Safety Concerns with Watercraft

Texas law creates important safety rules and policies meant to minimize injury on the water and avoid boating mishaps:  

Life Jackets:

Tragically, most drowning deaths in boating accidents result from people not using Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs). Texas law requires that every passenger on board any vessel have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. In a water crisis, this basic precaution is the most effective strategy to save lives.   

Ignition Safety Cut-Off Switches (ECOS): 

Texas law mandates using an engine cut-off switch (ECOS) on most motorboats and personal watercraft (PWCs) to stop runaway boats and additional injuries should an operator go overboard. This safety precaution immediately shuts down the engine should the operator be unexpectedly flung off the vessel.

Boater Education: 

Texas law requires anyone born on or after September 1, 1993, to complete a state-approved boating safety course before operating any vessel powered by a motor of 15 horsepower or greater, or any windblown vessel over 14 feet long. 

Recognizing that informed operators are safer, Boaters who receive this instruction have a basic understanding of Texas waterway rules and secure operation.

Impaired Operation

Operating a boat while intoxicated by drugs or alcohol is a significant violation in Texas, with heavy fines, possible license suspension, and significantly increased liability should an accident occur. Like driving a car, sobriety is critical for guaranteeing water safety.

Don’t Wait. Call Us Quickly. Statute of Limitations for Boating Accident Claims in Texas

Under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003, you generally have two years from the accident date to file a boat accident lawsuit. For accidents involving government-owned vessels, you may need to file notice within six months per the Texas Tort Claims Act. Failing to act promptly could forfeit your right to compensation.

Steps to Take After A Boating Accident in Houston

Render Aid: 

Offer assistance, per Parks & Wildlife Code §31.104—failure to stop and render aid is a criminal offense

Call 911: 

Secure medical care and a law-enforcement report.

Report to TPWD: 

Boating accidents with injury or >$2,000 in property damage must be reported within 30 days.

Collect Evidence: 

Photos of vessel damage, skid marks on ramps, and statements from other boaters.

Seek Legal Advice: 

Contact a Houston boating accident lawyer before discussing settlements with insurers.

What You Should Not Do In Case of a Boating Accident?

Don’t postpone medical evaluation: 

Even seemingly minor injuries can be serious. Prompt medical attention creates essential documentation for your claim.

Refrain from admitting fault or apologizing: 

Your words at the scene can be used against you. Stick to the facts when speaking with authorities.

Don’t accept the initial insurance settlement: 

Insurance companies often undervalue claims. Consult a Houston boating accident lawyer first.

Make an effort to gather witness information and physical evidence: 

Obtain contact details of anyone who saw the accident and, if possible, take photos or videos of the scene and damages.

Texas Boating Accident Stats: Texas State Parks & Wildlife

Metric	2023 Data
Registered Recreational Vessels in Texas	560,000 motorboats & sailboats
Estimated Unregistered Watercraft (rafts, kayaks, etc.)	359,000
Boating Fatalities (2022)	63 deaths statewide
Serious Boating-Related Injuries (2022)	320 injuries requiring hospitalization
Alcohol-Related Boating Accidents Increase (2020)	61% rise in fatal accidents

What Are Texas’s Boating Regulations?

Texas Parks & Wildlife outlines safety and equipment standards in the Outdoor Annual (Ch. 31 Recreational Boating). Key rules include:

• Life jacket requirements for children under 13.
• Mandatory safety inspections and registration of motorized vessels.
• Boating under the influence laws parallel DUI statutes on roads.

Staying compliant reduces risk and strengthens your position if another boater’s negligence causes your watercraft accident.

How Our Houston Boating Accident Attorneys Can Help You Seek Compensation

DeHoyos Accident Attorneys brings:

Maritime-Savvy Lawyers:

Familiar with federal admiralty principles and Texas waterway statutes.

Expert Network: 

Marine engineers, medical specialists, and accident reconstructionists.

Comprehensive Case Management: 

From salvage records to insurance policy analysis.

Proven Advocacy: 

We pursue damages for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and wrongful death.

Learn about our broader practice at Houston personal injury lawyer.

Contact DeHoyos Accident Attorneys to Speak with a Houston Boating Accident Lawyer for a FREE Consultation

Suppose a boating accident causes the calm waters of Houston to become tumultuous for you or a loved one. In that case, you do not have to negotiate the complicated legal fallout alone. 

Though the road to recovery can seem daunting, at DeHoyos Accident Attorney, we are here to provide a consistent hand and a listening ear. 

We know the suffering, the uncertainty, and the demand for justice following such a horrific occurrence. 

Don’t let time elude you while you carry this weight personally. Our committed group of Houston boating accident lawyers is ready to work nonstop for your rights and assist you in seeking the full compensation you are due.

Go for healing and a better future first. For a FREE, no-obligation consultation, call DeHoyos Accident Attorneys right now. Allow us to be your champions on this difficult path.

Houston Boating Accident Lawyer Frequently Asked Questions

What damages can I recover after a boat accident?

You may recover medical costs, rehabilitation, lost wages, property damage, and non-economic losses like pain and suffering.

Do I need a special marine lawyer?

Yes. Maritime claims involve unique regulations; a specialized watercraft accident lawyer ensures compliance with admiralty and Texas statutes.

How long do I have to file a boating injury claim?

Generally two years under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §16.003; shorter deadlines apply for government vessel accidents.

Will my own boat insurance cover a collision?

Your policy may cover hull damage and PFD liabilities; however, third-party claims rely on the at-fault operator’s coverage.

What if I’m partially at fault?

Texas’s modified comparative fault allows recovery if you’re less than 51% responsible, though your award is reduced by your percentage of fault.