Dallas is the ninth-largest city in America. A city is known for many things—the birthplace of the 7-Eleven Slurpee, a hub for championship teams in multiple sports—but one list Dallas wants no part of is topping the rankings for drunken boating accidents.
That is just what happened when Dallas found itself ranked fifth in alcohol-related boating accidents where injury, death, or property damage have occurred.
It is the responsibility of both commercial and private boat owners to keep their passengers safe. If you or a loved one have been affected by a boating accident, the Dallas personal injury attorneys at our firm are here to secure the justice and compensation you deserve.
According to data released from the U.S. Coast Guard, Texas averaged nearly 13 alcohol-related incidents per 100,000 registered watercraft in 2019. Last year, America saw more than 4,000 total boating accidents. These incidents resulted in more than 2,500 injuries and more than 600 fatalities, and in Texas, boating incidents topped 200.
Dallas has its fair share of residents and visitors both recreational boating and working on water vessels. The local lakes of Grapevine, Lavon, Lewisville, and Mountain Creek are often crowded with boats. With all this activity, accidents are bound to happen.
People often think of these accidents in catastrophic terms—the violent collision of two vessels or boats running aground or into fixed objects like docks. They think of boats sinking and causing serious injuries and death. While these events do occur, there are also a host of other ways that injuries occur. Some of the most common causes of boating accidents include:
Severe injuries or even death can occur during these accidents. Some of the most common injuries suffered during a boating accident are:
To ensure a vessel is safe, boat owners and operators must have regular inspections and maintenance. There is also a list of required equipment that needs to be kept and maintained on the vessel. Crew members should be trained and certified and have a grasp of the state and federal laws covering the operation of boats.
Boating accidents can have devastating effects. If you or somebody you love has been injured in a boating accident caused by another person’s negligence, reach out to the Dallas boating accident lawyers at our firm. We can take the wheel and navigate you into safe waters. Get a free consultation of your case by clicking here or by calling us at 214-295-2900.