San Antonio Boating Accident Lawyer Fighting for Waterway Injury Victims

Experienced Representation for Boating Accidents and Drownings

The San Antonio area offers abundant recreational boating opportunities. Canyon Lake, Medina Lake, Braunig Lake, Calaveras Lake, and numerous rivers and waterways draw boaters, water skiers, jet ski riders, and swimmers throughout the year. Unfortunately, these waters also see serious accidents that cause drownings, traumatic injuries, and deaths.

Texas consistently ranks among the top states for recreational boating registrations—and boating accidents. Collisions between vessels, propeller strikes, capsizing, falls overboard, and boating while intoxicated cause hundreds of injuries and dozens of deaths in Texas waters each year.

Harper Law Firm represents San Antonio residents injured in boating accidents. We understand Texas boating laws, Coast Guard regulations, and how to build compelling cases against negligent boat operators, rental companies, marina owners, and manufacturers of defective watercraft or equipment.

Texas Boating Laws and Operator Responsibilities

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department regulates recreational boating in Texas. Key requirements include:

• Boater Education: Operators born after September 1, 1993, must complete an approved boater education course to operate boats with motors over 15 horsepower or wind-powered vessels over 14 feet.
• Navigation Rules: Boat operators must follow navigational rules including right-of-way requirements, speed limits in congested areas, and safe distance from other vessels, swimmers, and shore.
• Safety Equipment: Texas law requires boats to carry life jackets for every passenger, fire extinguishers, sound-producing devices, and navigation lights for night operation.
• Boating While Intoxicated (BWI): Operating a boat with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher is illegal in Texas. BWI carries criminal penalties similar to DWI.

When operators violate these laws and cause accidents, they’re liable for resulting injuries and deaths.

True Litigation Firm for Boating Accident Cases

Boating accident cases present unique challenges. Accidents occur on water where evidence quickly disappears. Witnesses scatter. Insurance companies representing boat owners, rental companies, and marinas fight aggressively.

Harper Law Firm prepares every boating accident case for trial. Our approach includes:

• Prompt investigation to preserve evidence before it’s lost
• Documentation of waterway conditions, weather, and visibility
• Analysis of navigation rules and operator violations
• Expert consultation on boating safety standards
• Review of alcohol/drug testing results
• Thorough medical documentation of injuries
• Aggressive negotiation backed by trial preparation

When defendants refuse fair settlements, we’re prepared to fight in the courtroom.

San Antonio Area Waterways and Boating Hazards

Canyon Lake

Canyon Lake, approximately 40 miles north of San Antonio in Comal County, is one of the most popular recreational lakes in Texas. The 8,230-acre lake draws thousands of boaters during peak season, creating congestion and collision risks.

Canyon Lake hazards include:

• High boat traffic during summer months
• Underwater hazards including submerged structures
• Strong currents near the dam
• Alcohol consumption contributing to accidents
• Mixing of different vessel types (speedboats, pontoons, jet skis, kayaks)

Medina Lake

Medina Lake in Bandera and Medina counties offers 5,575 surface acres of boating opportunities. The lake’s varying water levels create changing conditions and hazards.

Medina Lake considerations:

• Fluctuating water levels exposing underwater hazards
• Rocky shorelines and shallow areas
• Limited lighting for night navigation
• Remote areas with delayed emergency response

Braunig Lake and Calaveras Lake

These city-owned power plant cooling lakes southeast of San Antonio offer closer recreation options but present their own hazards:

• Industrial activity near waterways
• Warm water temperatures affecting conditions
• Limited enforcement presence
• Mixing of fishing boats and recreational vessels

Rivers and Smaller Waterways

The Guadalupe River, Comal River, Medina River, and other waterways attract tubers, kayakers, and small boat operators. These waters present:

• Strong currents, especially after rain
• Low-head dams creating dangerous hydraulics
• Limited visibility around bends
• Submerged obstacles including rocks and debris
• Alcohol-related incidents during tubing season

Common Types of Boating Accidents

Boat Collisions

Collisions between vessels are the most common type of boating accident. They occur when operators:

• Fail to maintain proper lookout
• Operate at excessive speed
• Violate navigation rules and right-of-way
• Operate while intoxicated
• Become distracted
• Fail to use navigation lights at night

Collisions can throw passengers overboard, cause crushing injuries, and result in drowning.

Propeller Accidents

Boat propeller strikes cause devastating injuries including:

• Traumatic amputations
• Severe lacerations requiring extensive surgery
• Fatal injuries
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement

Propeller accidents occur when:

• Swimmers or fallen passengers are struck
• Operators fail to ensure clear water before engaging propellers
• Boats lack propeller guards
• Operators approach swimmers or divers too closely

Falls Overboard and Drowning

Falls overboard frequently result in drowning, especially when:

• Passengers aren’t wearing life jackets
• Operators fail to stop immediately after person overboard
• Alcohol impairs swimming ability
• Victims are struck by propellers after falling
• Cold water causes incapacitation

Capsizing and Swamping

Boats can capsize (turn over) or swamp (fill with water) due to:

• Overloading beyond capacity
• Improper weight distribution
• Sudden turns at high speed
• Large waves or wake from other vessels
• Weather changes

Fires and Explosions

Boat fires and explosions cause severe burn injuries and drowning when passengers enter water to escape flames. Common causes include:

• Fuel leaks and vapors
• Electrical system failures
• Improper fueling procedures
• Defective equipment

Water Skiing and Tubing Accidents

Towed water sports create additional hazards:

• Collisions between towed persons and boats or obstacles
• Falls at high speed causing impact injuries
• Drowning when unconscious in water
• Rope and equipment entanglement

Jet Ski and Personal Watercraft Accidents

Personal watercraft (jet skis, WaveRunners) have high accident rates due to:

• High speeds and maneuverability
• Operation by inexperienced or young riders
• Difficulty judging distances and speeds
• Wake jumping and stunts

Liable Parties in Boating Accidents

Negligent Boat Operators

Boat operators who cause accidents through negligence—speeding, intoxication, failure to follow navigation rules, or distraction—are liable for injuries they cause.

Boat Owners

Texas law can hold boat owners liable when they:

• Negligently entrust boats to incompetent operators
• Fail to maintain vessels in safe condition
• Allow operation without required safety equipment
• Permit intoxicated persons to operate their boats

Rental Companies and Marinas

Boat rental companies may be liable when they:

• Rent to unqualified or intoxicated operators
• Fail to provide safety equipment
• Rent defective vessels
• Provide inadequate safety instruction
• Fail to maintain rental boats properly

Manufacturers

Manufacturers of boats, motors, and equipment may face product liability claims when:

• Design defects make vessels unreasonably dangerous
• Manufacturing defects create specific product failures
• Inadequate warnings fail to alert users to dangers

Tour and Charter Operators

Commercial boat operators owe passengers heightened duties as common carriers. Tour companies, fishing charters, and party boats must exercise the highest degree of care for passenger safety.

Boating Accident Injuries

Drowning and Near-Drowning

Drowning is the leading cause of death in boating accidents. Near-drowning (submersion with survival) can cause:

• Hypoxic brain injury from oxygen deprivation
• Pulmonary complications
• Long-term cognitive impairment
• Permanent disability

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Head impacts from collisions, falls, and striking objects cause traumatic brain injuries ranging from concussions to severe permanent impairment.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Diving accidents, collisions, and falls can damage the spinal cord, causing paralysis and permanent disability.

Propeller Lacerations and Amputations

Propeller strikes cause some of the most devastating boating injuries, often requiring amputation and multiple reconstructive surgeries.

Fractures and Orthopedic Injuries

High-speed impacts, falls, and collisions cause complex fractures requiring extensive treatment and rehabilitation.

Burns

Boat fires and explosions cause severe burns requiring skin grafts and long-term treatment.

Wrongful Death

When boating accidents cause death, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death claims for their losses.

Texas Boating Accident Laws

Statute of Limitations

Texas provides a two-year statute of limitations for most boating accident claims. However, accidents in navigable waters may involve federal maritime law with different rules. Contacting an attorney promptly ensures your rights are protected.

Comparative Negligence

Texas follows modified comparative negligence. If you were partially at fault—for example, by not wearing a life jacket—your recovery is reduced by your fault percentage. If you were more than 50% responsible, you cannot recover.

Maritime Law Considerations

Accidents on navigable waterways may involve federal maritime law, which can affect available remedies, damage calculations, and procedural rules. Determining which legal framework applies requires experienced analysis.

Compensation for Boating Accident Victims

Economic Damages

• Emergency rescue and medical transport costs
• Hospital and surgical expenses
• Ongoing medical treatment
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Lost wages during recovery
• Reduced earning capacity
• Home modifications for disabilities
• Long-term care needs

Non-Economic Damages

• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental anguish and emotional distress
• Permanent disability and disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life (including recreational activities)
• Loss of consortium

Wrongful Death Damages

Families who lose loved ones in boating accidents may recover:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Lost financial support
• Loss of companionship and guidance
• Mental anguish of survivors

What to Do After a Boating Accident

At the Scene

Ensure safety first—rescue anyone in the water if possible without endangering yourself
Call for help—contact Texas Parks and Wildlife (if on Texas waters) or Coast Guard, plus 911
Render aid to injured persons
Exchange information with other boat operators including name, registration, and insurance
Document the scene with photographs if possible
Get witness information
File a required accident report if the accident involves death, injury requiring medical treatment, property damage over $2,000, or total loss of vessel

After the Accident

Seek medical attention even if injuries seem minor
Preserve evidence including life jackets, damaged equipment, and clothing
Document your injuries with photographs
Keep records of medical treatment and expenses
Don’t give statements to insurance adjusters without legal counsel
Contact Harper Law Firm for a free consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the accident happened on a rental boat?

Rental companies may be liable for renting defective vessels, failing to ensure operator competency, or providing inadequate safety equipment. We investigate rental company negligence in addition to operator fault.

What if the boat operator was drinking?

Boating while intoxicated (BWI) is illegal in Texas. Intoxicated operators are clearly negligent, and their intoxication supports claims for punitive damages.

Do I have to wear a life jacket in Texas?

Texas requires children under 13 to wear life jackets while underway. Adults aren’t required to wear them but must have Coast Guard-approved life jackets available for every passenger. Not wearing a life jacket may affect comparative fault analysis but doesn’t bar recovery.

What if I was injured by a jet ski?

Personal watercraft accidents are handled similarly to other boating accidents. Operators must follow the same rules and can be liable for negligent operation.

How long do I have to file a boating accident lawsuit?

Generally two years in Texas, though maritime law may apply different rules in some situations. Contact an attorney promptly.

Contact San Antonio Boating Accident Lawyers Today

If you’ve been injured in a boating accident on Canyon Lake, Medina Lake, or any Texas waterway, you need experienced attorneys who understand boating law and will fight for maximum compensation.

Harper Law Firm offers free, no-obligation consultations where we’ll:

• Review the circumstances of your accident
• Explain your legal rights under Texas (and potentially maritime) law
• Identify all potentially liable parties
• Discuss compensation for your injuries
• Provide honest assessment of your case

Boating should be a safe, enjoyable recreational activity. When negligent operators, rental companies, or defective equipment cause injuries, victims deserve justice. Contact Harper Law Firm today—your San Antonio boating accident lawyers are ready to fight for you.