Boating Accidents

Boating is a favorite pastime among Central Texans. Many people take their boats to the water in order to go fishing, water skiing, wake boarding, tubing, knee boarding, or to cruise the lake. Lakes get especially crowded during the hot summer months and on holidays when everyone is out to celebrate a day off of work with friends and family. However, if safety protocols and boating laws aren’t followed, a fun and exciting day on the lake can result in disaster.

A boat operates very similarly to a car in that it requires the operator to be attentive and aware of other traffic at all times. The operator has a responsibility to operate the watercraft safely and to make sure all passengers follow safety procedures. Avoid mixing boating and alcohol, and don’t let an intoxicated person operate the boat. Boating while intoxicated is a crime and could result in arrest or a serious accident with other watercraft.

When out on the lake, keep an eye out for reckless boaters. People may be particularly careless on weekends or holidays when heavy drinking is involved. If you see a boat behaving unsafely, avoid the boat, warn other boaters and water users, and report the boat to the local police marine unit. Reckless boaters may be operating at high speeds, operating too close to shore or in a no wake zone, making unpredictable maneuvers, or tailgating or cutting too close to other boats. Any of these signs may be an indication of reckless or intoxicated boating and should be reported immediately to help minimize the risk of an accident.

Contact Us

If you or someone you know was injured in a reckless or intoxicated boating accident, the other boat operator may be liable for the resulting injuries and damages. To learn more about boating accidents and injury liability, don’t hesitate to contact experienced Austin personal injury lawyer Vic Feazell today at 877-948-4842.