Texas Boating Accident Lawyer: Statewide Representation by McFarlane Law
McFarlane Law represents boating accident victims and their families across Texas — from Austin and the Hill Country to Houston, Dallas, the Permian Basin, and every corner of the state. With more than $100 million recovered for injured Texans, we have built a focused practice on the specific liability rules, insurance frameworks, and evidence-preservation requirements that determine what a Texas boating accident case is worth.
What a Texas Boating Accident Case Looks Like
Boating accidents in Texas happen primarily on Lake Travis, with secondary incidents on the Colorado River and at the marinas along the lake’s southern shore. Texas boating injury cases are governed by both Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Chapter 31 and (for serious incidents) federal admiralty/maritime law. The Texas Game Warden and Travis County Sheriff’s Lake Patrol both investigate fatal and serious-injury incidents.
Common Causes of Texas Boating Accident Cases
McFarlane Law’s Texas boating accident caseload reflects a consistent set of root causes:
- Boating Under the Influence (BWI) — alcohol is involved in roughly 25-30% of fatal Texas boating accidents
- Operator inattention and inexperience
- Excessive speed in no-wake or congested zones
- Wake-board and tube collisions caused by reckless tow-boat operators
- Personal watercraft (jet ski) collisions and runaway craft
- Defective steering, throttle, or hull components
- Negligent rental companies failing to safety-brief renters
- Marina dock and ramp negligence
Common Injuries in Texas Boating Accident Cases
We represent Texans suffering injuries that include:
- Traumatic brain injuries from prop strikes or being thrown overboard
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe propeller injuries — laceration, amputation, drowning while incapacitated
- Drowning and near-drowning brain injuries
- Burn injuries from onboard fires or fuel explosions
- Broken bones from impact with hard surfaces
- Hypothermia-related complications
Damages Available Under Texas Law
Texas law allows boating accident victims to recover:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering and mental anguish
- Permanent impairment, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury
- Loss of consortium for spouses and family members
- Punitive (exemplary) damages where the at-fault party’s conduct was grossly negligent
- Wrongful death damages (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 71)
What to Do After a Texas Boating Accident
The steps you take in the first hours and days after a Texas boating accident have a major impact on your ability to recover full compensation:
- Call 911 — for any Lake Travis incident, the Travis County Sheriff’s Lake Patrol responds
- Get medical attention immediately — many boating injuries (concussion, internal bleeding) worsen over hours
- Document everything — boat make/model/registration, operator info, witness contacts
- Photograph the vessel, the area, and any visible injuries
- Report the incident to Texas Parks and Wildlife if injury, death, or substantial damage occurred
- Talk to a Texas boating accident lawyer — these cases involve unique liability rules and (sometimes) federal admiralty law
Why Choose McFarlane Law for Your Texas Boating Accident Case
- Statewide reach. We represent injured Texans in every metro and rural region of the state.
- $100M+ recovered. McFarlane Law’s track record across Texas personal injury, oilfield, maritime, and trucking cases speaks for itself.
- Trial-ready preparation. We prepare every case as if it will be tried, which is what gets insurance carriers to pay full value at the negotiating table.
- Direct access to the lawyer. Clients work directly with founder Zach McFarlane.
- No fee unless we win. All boating accident cases handled on contingency.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a Texas boating accident claim?
Under the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, most boating accident claims must be filed within two years of the date of the incident. Some claims (against governmental entities or with special procedural rules) have shorter formal-notice deadlines. The sooner a Texas lawyer is involved, the more options you preserve.
What if I was partly at fault for the boating accident?
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 33). As long as you are 50% or less at fault, you can still recover compensation — though your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Does McFarlane Law handle boating accident cases outside Austin?
Yes. We represent Texas boating accident clients across the state — including Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, the Permian Basin, and rural Texas counties.
Contact a Texas Boating Accident Lawyer Today
Call McFarlane Law at (512) 222-4900 or use our free consultation form. There is no fee unless we recover for you.