How Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers Helps After a Boating Accident
A boating accident lawyer finds out who caused the crash and makes their insurer pay for the harm. North Texans spend summer weekends on Eagle Mountain Lake, Lake Worth, Benbrook Lake, Grapevine Lake, and the Trinity River. One careless operator can turn that day into a hospital stay.
Learn more about the firm and its founder, Brad Parker, in this short video.
When you hire us, we:
- Investigate the accident and identify every responsible party
- Find every insurance policy that may apply
- Collect evidence and bring in experts when they strengthen your case
- Calculate your full damages, now and in the future
- Negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf
- Take your claim to court if needed
We work on a contingency fee, so you don’t owe attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Boating Accidents?
Most boating accidents come down to an operator who wasn’t paying attention. Running a boat safely means watching for other boats, swimmers, skiers, and obstacles at all times. Common causes include:
- Operator inattention or distraction
- An inexperienced operator
- No one acting as a lookout
- Speeding or reckless wake
- Operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Overloading the boat
- Equipment or engine failure
- Not enough life jackets on board
Many of these are the same mistakes that cause crashes on the road, and the law treats them much the same way.
Types of Boating Accidents We Handle
We handle injury claims from many kinds of accidents on Texas lakes and rivers, including:
- Collisions between boats
- Personal watercraft (Jet Ski) crashes
- Boats striking docks, swimmers, or submerged objects
- Passengers thrown overboard
- Propeller strikes
- Tubing, wakeboarding, and water-skiing accidents
- Fires, fuel explosions, and carbon monoxide exposure
- Drowning and near-drowning
When a defective engine, steering system, or safety device plays a role, the case may also involve product liability.
Who Is Responsible for a Boating Accident?
The person or company whose carelessness caused the accident is responsible. Figuring out who is at fault on the water can be harder than on the road, because there are no lanes and few witnesses. Possible defendants include:
- The operator of your boat or another boat
- The boat owner who let someone unqualified or impaired operate it
- A boat or Jet Ski rental company
- A marina or dock owner that failed to keep the property safe
- The manufacturer of a defective boat, engine, or part
Texas uses modified comparative negligence. If you are 50% or less at fault, your compensation is reduced by your share. At 51% or more, you recover nothing.
Injuries Common in Boating Accidents
Boating accidents often cause serious injuries because there is no seat belt and nowhere soft to land. Our clients’ cases have involved:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Deep cuts and propeller injuries
- Burns
- Near-drowning injuries
For the most serious cases, see our pages on catastrophic injuries and wrongful death.
What Compensation Can You Get After a Fort Worth Boating Accident?
You can seek compensation for both your financial losses and the personal toll of your injuries. Economic damages may include:
- Medical bills, past and future
- Present and future lost wages
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Property damage
Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. Insurers often argue about whether the boat owner’s policy covers the operator or the type of watercraft involved, so read nothing as final until a lawyer has reviewed the policy.
How Long Do You Have to File a Boating Accident Claim in Texas?
You generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. After that, you lose the right to sue. Claims involving government boats or facilities can have much shorter notice deadlines.
Report the accident as required by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and contact a lawyer early so witness names and boat records aren’t lost.
About Brad Parker
Boating Accident Lawyer Fort Worth, TX FAQs
Who is liable for a boating accident in Texas?
The person whose carelessness caused the accident is usually liable. That is often the boat operator, but it can also be the boat owner who let an inexperienced or impaired person drive, a rental company that skipped safety instruction or maintenance, or a manufacturer whose boat or equipment was defective. More than one party can share responsibility.
Can a passenger sue the driver of the boat they were on?
Yes. A passenger hurt because the operator was careless, speeding, or impaired can bring a claim against the operator, much like a car passenger can claim against the driver. These claims are often paid through the boat owner's watercraft or homeowner's insurance, depending on the policy.
What should I do after a boating accident near Fort Worth?
Get medical care first. Report the accident to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department or local law enforcement as required. Collect names, contact details, and boat registration numbers from everyone involved. Photograph the boats, injuries, and conditions. Don't give a recorded statement to an insurance company before talking to a lawyer.
Can I recover compensation if I was partly at fault?
Possibly. Under Texas modified comparative negligence law, you lose the right to compensation once your share of fault reaches 51%. If you are 50% or less at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
How long do I have to file a boating accident lawsuit in Texas?
You generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in Texas, and two years from the date of death for a wrongful death claim. Accidents involving government-run boats or facilities can have much shorter notice deadlines. Some accidents on navigable waters may also be governed by federal maritime law, which has its own rules.
How much does a boating accident lawyer cost?
We handle boating accident cases on a contingency fee. You pay nothing upfront and don't owe attorney's fees unless we recover compensation for you. Our fee will never exceed your recovery, and we explain the exact terms in writing before we begin.
Visit Our Fort Worth Office
Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office
209 N Hampton St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
- Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday – Sunday Closed