Conroe Boating Accident Lawyer

Helping You Put Your Life Back Together

Named the deadliest lake in Texas, Lake Conroe continues to grow in accidents. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, alcohol was a factor in many of those deaths. Fatal boating incidents due to negligence, alcohol use, and other factors are 100% preventable. At Scott Law Firm, we strive to help boat accident victims and their families pursue claims against all responsible parties.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, speak with a Lake Conroe boating accident attorney as soon as possible.

On This Page:

• Texas Boating-Related Accident Statistics
• Boating Accident Liability & Negligence
• Texas Water Safety Act
• Boat Accident Investigation
• Operator Error in Boating Accidents
• Who to Call After a Boating Accident on Lake Conroe

Texas Boating-Related Accident Statistics

• According to the U.S. Coast Guard's 2020 Recreational Boating Statistics report, Texas is one of the top five states in relation to alcohol-related boating accidents resulting in injury, death, or property damage.
• 281 boating accidents were recorded in the state of Texas in 2020, resulting in 59 deaths and 173 injuries.
• Alcohol plays a role in 50% of all boating accidents, according to BOAT US.
• A person arrested for BWI may be jailed for up to 180 days, fined $2,000, or both.
• A typical boating accident fatality involves an open motorboat, weekends between the hours of noon and 7 p.m., and the victim falling overboard.

Texas Water Safety Act

The Texas Water Safety Act is a collection of laws that regulate boating in the state. Most importantly, these regulations include information on safety equipment requirements, boat registration, and operator regulations.

Listed below are a few water safety acts:

• Children under 13 are prohibited from operating Personal Watercraft (PWC). This includes Jet Skis and wet bikes unless accompanied on board by a person at least 18 years of age who can lawfully operate the PWC.
• All children under 13 years of age in all vessels under 26 feet in length must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved wearable personal flotation device (PFD) while underway.
• No person may operate or give permission for the operation of a vessel that is not provided with the required safety equipment.

Boating Accident Liability & Negligence

Boating negligence can occur any time operators or vessel owners aren’t complying with safety regulations outlined by the Texas Water Safety Act. That is to say, if a boat operator is intoxicated or fails to have the required safety gear on board, he or she is negligent. If that person’s negligence contributes to an accident, he or she may be held liable for their actions or inaction.

Operator Error in Boating Accidents

Error by the operator, in one form or another, is the primary factor in many boating accidents. Distracted boating can cause injuries and fatal accidents, and excessive speed or alcohol use by the operator can also put lives at risk.

Other common causes of boating accidents are operator inexperience, unqualified people driving the boat, and reckless or aggressive boating.

Product Liability in Boat Accidents

According to the United States Coast Guard, machinery failure was the fifth primary cause of boating accidents in 2020, resulting in 151 injuries and 19 deaths. The companies that design and manufacture boats and other types of watercraft have a legal and moral responsibility to ensure their products will work as advertised and are safe for consumers. You may not even be aware that a defect in the design or manufacturing of the boat caused your accident, but the experienced team at the Scott Law Firm knows what signs to look out for and can help you file a products liability claim against any and all negligent parties.

Boat Accident Investigation

After a boating accident that results in property damage, injury, or death, it’s important to have a lawyer with extensive knowledge of Texas boating laws and the Water Safety Act on your side. Certainly, it is critical to determine if the boat operator or owner was failing to comply with any of those necessary and potentially-life saving regulations at the time of the incident. Your Conroe boating accident attorney can keep you up to date on any investigative developments as you recover from your injuries.

Who to Call After a Boating Accident on Lake Conroe

After any type of boating accident, it’s important to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer about your case. Your boating accident lawyer in Conroe can be your advocate and help fight to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a boating accident on Lake Conroe or another lake, contact us at (936) 243-4299 today to schedule your free initial consultation.