San Antonio Boat Accident Lawyer

Texas has many lakes and waterways that provide opportunities for recreational boating and other water sports. Boating and other watercraft activities, while enjoyable, also require care and caution to help keep everyone safe.

A negligent boat or watercraft operator can put themselves, their passengers, and others on the water at risk of a devastating accident. When you have been hurt in a boating accident, you deserve to seek compensation for the expenses and losses you incur. Let a San Antonio boat accident lawyer with the Law Offices of Troy A. Brookover work to pursue the financial recovery you deserve from those at fault for a boating accident.

For more than 30 years, attorney Troy A. Brookover has been dedicated to serving accident victims in San Antonio, Central, and South Texas. He works tirelessly to secure maximum results on behalf of every client we represent, no matter the complexities or obstacles in their case. This determination and skill are reflected in Troy’s distinction as an attorney who has been Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, which is an honor that has been bestowed upon less than 7 percent of the lawyers who practice in the state.

Our firm’s focus on excellent legal service is reflected in our reputation and proven track record of having successfully helped thousands of clients recover from accidents. If you have a complicated boat accident claim, you can trust Troy and our firm to have the experience and resources necessary to handle your case.

If you were injured in a boat accident, you need experienced legal counsel to make sure you have the best chance at a full financial recovery. Reach out to our law firm for a free initial case review and learn more about the claims process and your legal rights.

How Much Is My Boat Accident Claim Worth?

If you have been injured in a boating accident someone else caused, you may wonder what kind of compensation you might be entitled to. In a boat accident claim, you may be able to obtain financial recovery for expenses and losses you have incurred because of the accident, including:

Medical expenses, such as hospital bills, physical and occupational rehabilitation, prescription costs, and purchases of medical and mobility equipment
Long-term care costs to help you with permanent disabilities that may result from the injuries you suffered in the boat accident
Lost wages when you take time from work to recover from injuries
Lost future earnings and job benefits if you are permanently disabled from resuming employment
Pain and suffering
Disability and disfigurement that negatively impact your quality of life
Property damage, including the costs to repair your boat or reimbursement for its value if it sinks or is destroyed
Exemplary damages, also called punitive damages, which may be awarded in a boat accident lawsuit when the accident was caused by reckless or egregious behavior by the parties at fault for the accident

Statute of Limitations for Boat Accident Lawsuits in Texas

How Long Do I Have to File a Boat Accident Claim?

According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 16.003, you have only two years from an accident to file suit.

If you wait until after the statute of limitations has expired on your boat accident claim to file a lawsuit, you risk the court dismissing your case. That makes it essential to retain a San Antonio personal injury attorney as soon as possible to start preparing your legal case so that you can timely pursue your rights to compensation.

Common Causes of Boat Accidents in San Antonio

Some of the most common causes of boating accidents in the San Antonio region include:

Speeding
Boating around swimmers or personal watercraft
Creating excessive wakes or creating wakes in a no-wake zone
Failure to yield the right of way
Unfamiliarity with navigational rules
Disregarding navigational charts
Disregarding warning signs
Operator inexperience
Drowsiness and fatigue
Distracted operation, including using a cell phone while operating a boat

Boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Inadequate lookout
Overloading the boat or watercraft, including having too many passengers on board
Deferred or negligently performed boat maintenance
Design or manufacturing defects in the boat or machinery or equipment
Boating around hazardous water conditions, including whirlpools or waterfalls
Adverse weather, including going out on the water in inclement conditions
Poor visibility due to precipitation, fog, or nighttime

Types of Injuries from Boating Accidents in San Antonio

Boating accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries. Some of the most frequently occurring injuries victims of boat accidents suffer include:

Brain damage, including from lack of oxygen due to drowning or from traumatic brain injury
Amputation
Drowning injuries
Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
Internal organ injuries
Hypothermia
Lacerations and blood loss
Broken bones
Ligament sprains and tears
Muscle and tendon strains and tears

Herniated disc injuries
Whiplash
Nerve damage
Crush injuries, including compartment syndrome and internal bleeding
Burns and smoke inhalation injuries
Toxic exposure
Facial injuries
Hearing and vision loss
Head injuries

Common Types of Boats Involved in Accidents

At Law Offices of Troy A. Brookover, we assist clients who have sustained injuries in all kinds of boating accidents. Examples of boat or watercraft types that are commonly involved in accidents in Texas waters include:

Bowriders
Cuddy boats and cabin cruisers
Catamarans and trimarans
Houseboats
Banana boats
Sport fishers
Fishing trawlers
Center consoles
Dinghies
Speed boats
Rigid inflatable boats

Pontoons
Hovercraft
Jet skis
Sailboats
Runabouts
Yachts
Riverboats
Tour boats
Water taxis
Wakeboard boats

Boating Accident FAQ

Are boating accidents common in San Antonio?

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, boating accidents recently reached a 30-year high in Texas. Fatalities in boating accidents in waterways increased 45 percent from 2019 to 2020, while deaths in accidents on open water increased by 61 percent. Injuries had also increased by 64 percent from 2019 to 2020. From January through April 2021, fatalities on the water in Texas increased by 40 percent compared to the same period in 2020.

What information should I ask from the other boater?

If you are involved in an accident with another boat or watercraft, you should exchange information with the other operator. Important evidence you should ask for includes:

Name and contact information
The other vessel’s make, model, and registration number, if applicable
The boater’s driver’s license or boating license
The boater’s insurance provider and policy number, if applicable
The name and contact information of the charter company that the boater rented their craft from
The names of the passengers on the boat
Whether anyone has been injured or requires assistance
Whether the boater’s craft has sustained any damage

Am I supposed to report a boating accident?

Under Texas Parks and Wildlife Code §31.105, the operator of a watercraft involved in an accident must report the accident and any casualties sustained in the accident either to a local law enforcement agency or to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. A boat accident normally must be reported within 30 days, although a report must instead be filed within 48 hours of the accident if the accident resulted in:

Death
A missing person
Injuries requiring more than first aid
Property damage exceeding $2,000 in value

A boater’s accident report is confidential and may not be admitted as evidence in court.

In addition to reporting a boating accident, the law requires boat operators to assist anyone to the extent practical and necessary to save an individual from or minimize danger from a boating accident.

Talk to a San Antonio Boat Accident Attorney Now

Getting experienced legal help as quickly as possible can help ensure that any legal claim you choose to pursue is as strong as possible.

By reaching out to a boat accident attorney soon after the accident, you’ll allow your lawyer to recover critical evidence and witness testimony before it is lost to time. Your attorney can also help you fulfill your obligation to report the boating accident to the authorities. Finally, a boat accident attorney can protect your interests, especially if law enforcement or insurance companies contact you to discuss the accident.

Do not put off starting a boat accident claim to pursue the compensation you deserve for your losses. Contact Law Offices of Troy A. Brookover today for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more about how our law firm can make a difference in the success of your case.

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