Dallas Boat Accident Attorneys

What causes Dallas boat accidents?

In 2019, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) reported 4,168 boating accidents, with 613 fatalities, 2,559 injuries and $55 million in property damage. Our attorneys help people injured in accidents involving:

Impaired drivers and operators. Boating while impaired or intoxicated is against the law under the Water Safety Act in Texas. Whether a person is operating a vehicle on the road or on the water, if he or she is under the influence, everyone on the boat and in the immediate area is in danger. It illegal to operate any type of boat, jet ski, or other watercraft while intoxicated (a 0.08% blood alcohol content is considered “intoxicated” in Texas, whether you are on a boat or in a vehicle), or if your physical/mental faculties are impaired in any capacity due to drugs or alcohol. About half of the boating accidents in Texas involve alcohol or drug use.

Operator inexperience. Just like a motor vehicle, operating a boat or watercraft involves training and experience. Taking out a boat in choppy waters or attempting to drive a craft without experience can cause a tragic accident. The TWPD requires potential boaters take a safety course to secure their license to operate a boat is equipped with a motor of at least 15 horsepower, or any a wind-powered vessel more than 14’ in length. One course is not enough to make an operator safe, however, and this inexperience, combined with poor judgment, can be fatal. TWPD reports that 70 percent of boating deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive safety instruction (in cases where instruction was known).

Speeding, reckless, and/or negligent operation. Speeding is one of the most common causes of serious boating accidents. Collisions with other boats, fixed objects, or even swimmers and PWC can result in multiple injuries or fatalities. Speeding boats can also cause waves resulting in other watercraft to flip over. Failure to pay attention to one’s surroundings can also be extremely dangerous, especially on a busy day on the lake. When boaters are busy eating, drinking, checking their phones, and mingling with passengers, they are not paying attention to other boats and watercraft nearby. Distracted boating is dangerous, and can lead to serious injuries.

Defective equipment. If a part on a boat is defective or malfunctions, it may not work as expected and cause injuries or an accident. The boat may catch on fire, or passengers could experience carbon monoxide poisoning. It is much harder to reach safety from a burning or sinking boat, making boat defects potentially life-threatening. Defective safety equipment could also lead to fatal drownings; it is imperative that operators have enough safety equipment for all passengers, that they instruct their passengers who to appropriately use that equipment, and that they inspect safety gear for any potential problems.

Bad weather. Boat operators and companies must pay attention to weather reports and understand when not to put their passengers at risk. Knowingly taking passengers out on the water when storms are gathering is negligent behavior.

Low visibility. Boating at night or in low light/low visibility conditions can be hazardous, and operators must ensure that their watercraft’s lights are in working condition. Because boats and PWCs do not follow prescribed routes or lanes like cars, trucks, and motorcycles, there is additional risk of a collision with another boat or object when the light is low, or when it is foggy outside. Speeding also contributes to the risk, so it is crucial that all operators maintain low speeds in a well-lit vessel to make their excursions as safe as possible.