Boating accidents aren’t uncommon in Texas. In fact, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the state saw 169 boating accidents in 2024, which caused at least 100 injuries and 24 deaths. Austin accounted for roughly 7 percent of the state’s boating accidents and injuries.
Unfortunately, most of these boat accidents in Texas can be attributed to human error. Reckless operation, inattention, drug and alcohol use, and inexperience are some of the most common reasons for these avoidable boating accidents.
When you get hurt because someone else is careless, it’s important to contact an experienced Austin boat accident lawyer for help. You may be entitled to compensation, but you have to prove how and why your boat accident happened before you can get a dime for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Dow Law Firm can help.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common causes of boat accidents in Texas, along with the evidence our boat accident attorneys gather to help build winning claims for injured boaters like you.
Boating Under the Influence
Nearly 6.5 percent of boating accidents in Texas involve intoxicated boat operators. When a boat operator is impaired, they lack the ability to think quickly, adapt to sudden changes in water conditions and boat traffic, and are more likely to make critical mistakes that put themselves, their passengers, and other boaters in harm’s way.
When we suspect drugs or alcohol might be a factor in a boat accident, our team works quickly to request medical records, video footage, and witness statements to prove that a boat operator wasn’t fit to navigate a vessel. A skilled boat accident lawyer knows how to gather this evidence quickly before it disappears.
Distracted Operator
Recreational boating can be a good time, but whoever is in charge of navigating the vessel has an obligation to pay attention. Unfortunately, statistics show that 13 percent of boating accidents in Texas happen because boat operators aren’t focused on the water.
Evidence of operator inattention can include statements from boat passengers and bystanders, cell phone records, photographs, and video footage. An experienced boat accident attorney in Austin will know exactly which records to request and how to build a compelling case around operator distraction.
Reckless Operation
Most boat operators in Texas have to have a Boater Education Certificate, or boat license, to navigate a vessel on local waterways. This means boaters should know safe boating practices and applicable boating laws. This leaves little room for reckless boat operation like speeding, wake jumping, sharp turns, or navigating too close to other vessels or hazards.
Despite this, reckless operation is the leading cause of boating accidents in Texas, accounting for 16.5 percent of all incidents statewide. Reckless operation can often be proven through video footage, social media posts, photographs, witness statements, and expert testimony.
A boat accident attorney can help you piece together these types of evidence to hold reckless operators accountable for your injuries.
Contact a Boat Accident Lawyer From Dow Law Firm Today For Help
Boat accident victims in Texas trust Dow Law Firm because we have hands-on experience litigating complex boat accident cases and a proven track record of success.
With one opportunity to pursue compensation for hospital bills, long-term disability, missed paychecks, and the crushing emotional trauma of a boat accident, you have to make the most of it. Our boat accident attorneys in Austin, TX, can help.
Call our team of Austin boat accident lawyers today at (512) 240-9951 and schedule a free consultation to learn more.