Boating Accidents Lawyers
in Houston, Baytown and Galveston, Texas
Boating is a popular pastime in Texas, and since the state has many hundreds of miles of coastline and more inland water than another state, it's not surprising. There are 620,000 registered boats in Texas, plus the smaller ones that don't need to be registered.
It would be reasonable to suppose that Texas also ranks high in boating accidents, and it does rank 4th in boating deaths.
Texas boating accident numbers:
- In 2005 there were 206
- In 2004 there were 204
- In 2003 there were 264
In 2002, 61 people died in boating accidents, though in the years since, it's been down in the 30s.
Boating education
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) offers a lot of outdoor training and the boating courses are taught by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, by trained volunteers, and by teachers and game wardens.
- Choosing the right boat
- Making your boat legal
- Rules of navigation
- Docking and anchoring
- Basic water safety
- Dealing with fires on board, and accidents or emergencies
Texas Boater Education Program
This is an excellent and thorough course, covering such things as:
When you've successfully finished this course, you can get a discount from many boat insurance companies.
Guidelines for Safe Boating
Beyond taking some good boat training, there are 3 items to pay attention to:
- Wear a life jacket
- Keep your boat in good repair
- Stay sober while operating your boat and keep a good lookout
- If you're under 14, you must wear it whenever the boat is in motion
- If a game warden stops you and finds too few life jackets for the number of people on your boat, you'll be given a citation. For other more minor infractions you may receive only a warning, but the life jacket law is strictly enforced.
- Almost all people who drown and are recovered by TPWD personnel are found to have no life jacket.
- 180 days in jail
- A fine of $2,000
- Suspension of your license
Life jackets
Texas law requires that there be a life jacket ("personal flotation device") in the boat for each person on board.
Drunk boating
In 2005, Texas game wardens issued 281 citations for drunk boating. Your blood alcohol level for boating should be as low as it's required to be for driving: 0.08%. Violation of this law can bring:
If you're in a boating accident
Stop and help anyone who seems in need, as long as this doesn't put your own vessel at risk, or its crew and passengers.
If anyone is injured you should give them in writing:
- Your name
- Your address
- Your Certificate of Number
Also give this information to the owner(s) of any property damaged in the accident.
- If there's a death
- If anyone has disappeared in a way that suggests injury or death
- If anyone is injured past the level of just needing first aid
- If property damage is greater than $500, including any sustained by a dock as well as the boats
- These accident reports are confidential and can't be used in court as evidence
Report the accident
If the accident is at all significant, you must report it ASAP to the TPWD:
Of course, at the time of the accident, you can't make an accurate damage assessment, and probably wouldn't think of trying to do that, if anyone's hurt. But as soon as you can, submit an accident report. The forms are available from the TPWD offices, from game wardens, and any other marine safety officials.
Compensation
If you've been hurt in a boat accident near Houston or anywhere in Texas, or lost a loved one that way, consider hiring a boating accident lawyer to work for you. We can examine the circumstances and if negligence can be proved, you will potentially be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills and/or funeral costs
- Cost of any therapy
- Cost of long-term care
- Property damage
- Loss of income
- Pain and suffering
Contact us at Marc Whitehead & Associates for a free boating accident consultation. We understand the distress that can follow a sudden boat accident and can take care of your legal issues while you focus on healing.
If you're boating accident has left you too injured to come to us, we can go to your home.
Providing Comprehensive Legal Representation to Clients in
Houston and Throughout the Texas Gulf Coast
Marc Whitehead & Associates – Attorneys at Law, L.L.P.
5300 Memorial, Suite 725 | Houston, Texas 77007
Houston: (713) 228-8888
Fax: (713) 225-0940
Toll Free: (800) 562-9830
