Houston Boating Accident Lawyer

If a day out on Lake Houston, Sheldon Lake, McGovern Lake or other bodies of water near Houston ended in a boat accident and painful injury, the attorneys at The Doan Law Firm can help. We can go up against one or more parties in pursuit of financial compensation for causing your boating accident, such as the owner or operator of the boat. We have years of experience representing clients and a law office conveniently located right in Houston. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Short Summary

• Hiring a Houston boat accident attorney can help you make sense of your legal options and choose the best course of action for your needs after an incident.
• A lawyer will thoroughly review every aspect of your case, consult with expert witnesses, examine your medical records, and negotiate with the involved insurance company on your behalf.
• The Texas statute of limitations on personal injury claims prohibits victims from filing a lawsuit once two years have passed since your accident (in most cases). It’s vital to seek legal assistance as soon as you are well enough to do so.

Houston Boating Accident Resources

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Why Clients Trust Us?
Most Boating Accidents Are Caused By Negligence
Alcohol is a Factor in Many Boating Accidents
What Are the Different Types of Boating Accidents?
Common Boating Accident Injuries
How Our Attorney Can Help
Potential Damages in a Boating Accident Lawsuit
Statute of Limitations for Boating Accident Lawsuits
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Why Clients Trust Us With Their Houston Boating Accident Cases

• We have 20-plus years of experience with cases involving catastrophic injuries and drowning deaths.
• We have a reputation in the legal and defense community for obtaining large verdicts.
• Our boating accident lawyers have achieved outstanding case results for past clients.
• Our law firm responds to phone calls within one hour; we have internal staff on our phones 18 hours a day.
• Your boating accident lawyer will operate on a contingency fee basis, with no fees unless you win.

Are Most Boating Accidents Are Caused By Negligence?

If negligence caused your boating accident in Houston, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the person or party at fault. Negligence in personal injury law is the failure to use a normal or adequate amount of care, resulting in harm to others. Boating accidents are often preventable and stem from acts of negligence, such as:

• Poor boat or watercraft maintenance
• Equipment or part failures
• An inexperienced or unlicensed boat operator
• Boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Speeding or reckless boating
• Breaking waterway rules or ignoring signs
• Failing to keep a proper lookout
• Colliding with other boats, vessels or docks
• Failing to check the weather and water conditions before embarking
• Failing to keep proper safety gear onboard

It is a boat operator’s responsibility to pay attention to the task at hand, obey all relevant state and local boating laws, and keep passengers reasonably safe. Boat owners and manufacturers also have safety-related responsibilities, such as keeping a boat in proper working condition. If anyone breaches or violates a duty of care in connection to a boating accident in Houston, that party can be held financially responsible.

Alcohol is a Factor in Many Preventable Boating Accidents

According to information presented by the US Coast Guard, alcohol is a leading known contributing factor in fatal boat accidents annually. When the primary cause of a boat accident is known, alcohol is responsible for approximately 16% of boat accident deaths. 

The legal blood alcohol limit for operating a boat in Texas is .08%, which is the same for driving a vehicle. BUI Initiative date shows that a boat operator with a blood alcohol concentration above .10% is estimated to be ten times more likely to die in a boating accident than an operator with no alcohol in their system. Passengers are also at significantly increased risk for injury or death, especially if they are also drinking alcohol.

Just like operating a vehicle, a boat operator’s judgment and ability to react become significantly impaired the more alcohol they drink. Not only is operating a boat while drunk illegal, but it is much more likely to lead to significant injuries or death.

What Are the Different Types of Boating Accidents?

There are certainly different types of boating accidents that occur in and around our area of Texas and along the coastline. Some of the main types of accidents that cause injuries include:

Boat collisions

If one boat collides with another, this creates significant forces on those inside the vessels. Boat collisions can be caused by an inability to control the boat, operator inexperience, speeding, operating while impaired or distracted, and more.

Yacht accidents

It is not uncommon for individuals to take trips on yachts, regardless of whether or not they own such a large vessel. Yacht accidents are more serious simply due to their size. In collisions between smaller boats and yachts, the yacht can inflict significant property damage and injuries.

Rental boat accidents

There are plenty of rental boats available throughout the state of Texas, including at the ocean, on rivers, and on our lakes. When individuals rent a boat, they are typically given a quick tutorial about the boat controls and asked to sign a waiver. However, if rental boat companies allow inexperienced individuals to operate the boat, they may be held liable for any incident that occurs.

Pontoon accidents

Pontoon boats may appear to be safer, but they are just as prone to any other type of boating accident in Texas. Individuals may end up more relaxed on a pontoon, leading to careless operation of the vessel. Additionally, the propellers of the pontoon can become hazardous, particularly if individuals on board lose their balance and fall over the side.

Marina and dock accidents

Boating accidents can occur even when individuals are not looking to navigate open waters. Careless and negligent actions by workers or third parties at marinas or docks can lead to significant accidents as well.

What Are Common Boating Accident Injuries?

At The Doan Law Firm, our boating accident and drowning incident lawyers in Houston know how to get the best possible results for severely injured clients. Attorney Jimmy Doan specializes in catastrophic injury and mass casualty accidents in Texas and throughout the nation. He knows how to help if you or a loved one suffered a serious injury in a Houston boating accident, such as:

• Accidental drowning
• Bone fractures
• Muscle, ligament and soft-tissue injuries
• Lacerations
• Internal injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Neck, back and spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Electrocutions and electrical burns
• Other types of burn injuries
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Wrongful death

Although no amount of money can make up for a serious injury, it can help your family move forward with less financial stress. Our Houston personal injury attorneys achieved over $8,700,000 collectively in three separate verdicts for drowning deaths in Texas. We understand how boating accident cases work in Texas and what strategies to use for optimal outcomes. We can take your case to trial, if necessary, to demand full and just results.

How Our Houston Boating Accident Attorney Can Help

After sustaining an injury in a Houston boating accident, it is crucial for you to speak with a skilled attorney as soon as possible. A lawyer can handle every aspect of your boat accident claim on your behalf. This begins with providing the resources necessary for an extensive investigation into the incident. 

While an investigation is ongoing, an attorney will also ensure that their client is evaluated by trusted medical professionals, and they will handle all communication with other parties, including insurance carriers. These communications will also include negotiations, particularly when the at-fault party or the insurance carrier begin to offer settlements. If the opposing side refuses to offer a fair settlement, it may be necessary for an attorney to file a civil personal injury lawsuit on your behalf.

The lawsuit process is challenging and begins with discovery, where both sides exchange information with one another. An attorney will likely need to take depositions from witnesses, particularly as the case moves toward a trial. If a settlement cannot be reached during the early phases of a lawsuit process, it will become necessary for your attorney to stand in front of a jury and argue your case.

Potential Damages in a Houston Boating Accident Lawsuit

There may be various types of compensation available for Houston boat accident victims. If a claim is successful, we work diligently to recover both economic and non-economic damages on behalf of our clients.

Economic damages after a boating accident revolve around calculable expenses the victims will likely incur and the days, weeks, and months that follow the incident. Our team and trusted medical and economic experts can gather these bills and work to calculate:

• Emergency medical expenses
• Any ongoing doctor or hospital expenses
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
• Prescription and over-the-counter medications
• Lost income and loss of future earnings
• Property damage expenses
• Household out-of-pocket expenses

Non-economic damages are a bit different than the economic losses just mentioned. These types of losses revolve around less visible injuries that a boat accident victim may sustain. In particular, we want to help compensate boat accident victims for their physical and emotional pain and suffering, as well as any loss of quality of life caused by the injuries and recovery process.

The total amount of compensation paid to both accident victims in Houston will vary depending on the circumstances surrounding their case. Factors such as injury severity, length of recovery time, and shared fault can affect how much compensation a person receives.

How Long Do You Have to File a Boating Accident Claim in Texas?

Texas boat accident victims have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. The personal injury statute of limitations in this state is two years from the date an injury occurs. If a boat accident victim fails to file a lawsuit against the alleged negligent party within this two-year time frame, they will not be able to recover compensation for their losses.

In the event the injury claim arises due to a defective or dangerous product, individuals need to file their lawsuit within 15 years from when the defective product was sold to the first user.

Were You Injured in a Houston Boating Accident? Contact Us Today for Assistance

If you or someone you love was recently injured in a boating accident in Houston, Harris County or the surrounding region, don’t hesitate to contact The Doan Law Firm to set up a free, fast and friendly case review. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and many other losses. Our boat and car accident lawyer in Houston can help you and your family get the answers, closure and financial compensation that you deserve. We will be there for you and your family when you need help the most. Call (800) 349-0000 today or reach out online.