Texans enjoy being on the water. Texas has 4 million acres of saltwater and 1.7 million acres of inland freshwater lakes, as well as 80,000 miles of rivers and streams. Therefore, boating is a popular activity for many residents.
Unfortunately, boating accidents can cause severe injuries and wrongful deaths. If you are involved in a boating accident in Dallas, TX, you need an experienced injury lawyer to fight for your rights.
At Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers LLC, our attorneys have a successful track record of handling personal injury cases. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients in trials and negotiated settlements, and our case results have earned us membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Our legal team has decades of combined experience. Our experience and resources enable us to handle the most challenging personal injury cases.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our Dallas boating accident lawyers at (214) 615-6394. We are available 24/7 to talk with you about your case.
How Our Dallas Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help if You’ve Been Injured in a Boating Accident in Texas
Boating is a fun recreational activity until an accident happens. Determining who is liable for a boat accident can be challenging. Boating accident claims may involve complex boating regulations and laws. Without experienced representation, you might not receive the full value of your claim.
At Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers LLC, our lawyers understand boating laws and how they apply to personal injury cases. Our Dallas personal injury lawyers have been featured on NBC, Fox News, CNN, Good Morning America, and other outlets. They have top ratings from national legal organizations, including Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers.
When you hire our award-winning Dallas personal injury attorneys, our legal team will:
- Complete a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding your boat accident
- Review state and federal investigation records
- Work with leading experts in their fields to strengthen the evidence in your case
- Defend you against allegations of blame and contributory fault
- Handle all matters with insurance companies and other parties
- Document and analyze your damages
- Negotiate fair settlements based on how much your case is worth
- File a lawsuit and argue your case in court if necessary
When you need a legal team to fight for your rights, call Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers LLC. Our attorneys are dedicated to obtaining the best possible outcome for injured victims and their families.
Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation with an experienced Dallas boating accident attorney.
Common Injuries Caused by Boating Accidents in Dallas, TX
According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, there were 175 recreational boating incidents involving 228 vessels in 2023. The incidents resulted in 97 injuries and 28 deaths.
A boating accident can cause all types of injuries and conditions, including:
- Puncture wounds and lacerations
- Severe burns
- Drowning
- Internal organ damage
- Fractures and broken bones
- Loss of limbs and amputations
- Soft tissue injuries
- Nerve damage
- Electrical injuries and electrocutions
- Traumatic brain injury
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
Victims of boating accidents may sustain multiple injuries and may require minor first aid or emergency medical services. Regardless of the severity of your injuries, you should seek immediate medical treatment after a boat accident.
Causes of Boating Accidents in Texas
A boating accident may occur for many reasons. Negligence is often a factor in many boat accidents. Common causes of Texas boat accidents include:
- Failing to keep a proper lookout, including distracted boating
- Collisions with docks, other boats, jet skis, marinas, and other objects
- Inexperienced drivers and boaters
- Speeding and reckless boating
- Exposure to carbon monoxide
- Negligently or intentionally grounding the boat
- Failing to have sufficient life vests and other safety equipment
- Inadequate boat maintenance and repairs
- Operating a boat under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (i.e., BUI or boating under the influence)
- Fires and explosions
- Slip, trip, and fall accidents on the boat
- Violating navigation rules
- Failing to take reasonable safety precautions when on the water
Other factors, such as defective machinery, poor weather conditions, and hazardous waters, may contribute to a boat accident. Boat operators are required to use caution to avoid accidents and injuries. However, other parties could also be liable for a boating accident if they contributed to the cause of the accident.
Who Are the Liable Parties for a Dallas Boating Accident?
Any party who contributed to the cause of the accident could be financially responsible for the damages. Examples of parties that might be liable for your damages include:
- The boat owner
- The operator of the boat
- The boat’s manufacturer
- Other boaters and people on the water
- Passengers
- Boat maintenance and repair facilities
- Government entities
- Boat rental companies
Identifying each factor contributing to the accident is crucial to identifying the liable parties. Our legal team aggressively pursues each party who could be liable for your injuries to maximize the availability of compensation for your claim.
What Damages Are Available for a Boating Accident Claim in Dallas, TX?
Boating accident victims may sustain numerous damages because of the accident and their injuries. They incur financial losses, including:
- Past and future medical bills
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost wages and benefits
- Property damages
- Long-term care
- Diminished earning capacity
In addition to the monetary losses, an injured party experiences pain and suffering damages, including:
- Physical discomfort
- Loss of enjoyment of life and quality of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Impairments and disabilities
You can receive economic and non-economic damages for a boating accident. These damages compensate you for actual losses.
However, some boating accident lawsuits could result in punitive damages. These damages are awarded in a small number of lawsuits to punish defendants for malicious, willful, and egregious conduct.
What Factors Impact How Much I Might Receive for a Boating Accident Claim?
The amount you may receive for a boating accident injury claim depends on many factors. The factors are specific to your can and may include:
- The type of injuries you sustain in the boat accident
- The duration of your recovery period
- The medical treatments required for your injuries
- The severity of impairments, disabilities, scarring, or disfigurement
- Whether you can return to work and normal daily activities
- Your blame for causing the boating accident
- The amount of your financial losses
- The parties involved in the case
- The availability of insurance coverage
- The strength of the evidence proving causation, fault, and liability
Our lawyers analyze all factors in your case to determine how they might impact the outcome. We work to maximize factors that increase the value of damages and minimize factors that could decrease the amount you receive for a settlement.
Does Contributory Fault Apply to Claims for Boating Accident Injuries?
Texas uses a proportionate responsibility or modified comparative negligence standard instead of contributory fault. The law does not prohibit victims from recovering damages unless they are more than 50% at fault for an accident.
Therefore, suppose a jury decides that you were 60% at fault for the boat accident. In that case, you could not receive any damages for your claim.
However, suppose the jury decided you were just 10% to blame. In that case, the judge would reduce the damages award by 10 percent. You would receive 90% of the amount awarded for damages.
What Is the Deadline to File a Lawsuit for a Boating Accident in Texas?
The statute of limitations in Texas for many personal injury cases is two years from the date of the accident. This deadline applies in most boating accident cases. A judge may dismiss lawsuits filed late.
Exceptions to the rules and circumstances in your case could change the deadline to file a lawsuit. Therefore, talk with our attorneys as soon as possible to avoid losing your right to pursue a legal claim for damages.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Boating Accident Attorney in Dallas, TX?
Most personal injury lawyers agree to a contingency fee for their legal services, including our attorneys at Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers LLC.
A contingency fee is a percentage of the amount recovered for your case. Therefore, you are not required to pay any money when you hire our law firm. We are only paid when we recover compensation for your claim.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Dallas Boating Accident Attorneys
A boating accident can be devastating. Our legal team at Bush Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers LLC can help. Call us today to schedule a free case review with a Dallas boating accident lawyer. Let us help you receive the compensation you deserve after a boating accident.
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