If a day on Galveston Bay or Lake Conroe ended in tragedy, Houston boating accident lawyer Stephen Goldenzweig is ready to steer you toward justice. Call 713-561-5003 for your free consultation.

What To Do Immediately After a Boating Accident

A clear plan saves lives and protects your claim.

  1. Check for injuries. Move everyone to safety and call 911 or the U.S. Coast Guard.
  2. Get medical help. Even minor head or water-inhalation injuries can worsen fast.
  3. Report the crash. Texas law requires a written report to Texas Parks & Wildlife when someone is hurt, missing, or property damage tops $2,000.
  4. Document everything. Photograph the vessels, injuries, safety equipment, and weather.
  5. Collect witness details. Names, phone numbers, and any video help prove liability.
  6. Preserve the boat. Do not repair, move, or scrap it until an inspection is complete.
  7. Call a lawyer before insurers call you. Stephen Goldenzweig, Houston boat crash attorney, can shield you from low-ball tactics.

“Amazing consultation and a very good explanation about my case. I highly recommend this law firm. Thank you so much for your guys help and I’m sure will always be in touch with you for future cases. Highly recommended” – Jordan G.

Common Causes and Types of Houston Boating Accidents

Operator mistakes injure Texans every season.

  • Intoxication. Texas ranks top-5 nationally for alcohol-related boat crashes.
  • Excessive speed & wake. Crowded channels near Kemah and Clear Lake magnify danger.
  • Inexperience & distraction. Phone use and party crowds create blind zones.
  • Mechanical failure. Poor maintenance leads to fires, steering loss, and carbon-monoxide leaks.
  • Severe weather. Gulf squalls can capsize smaller craft within minutes.

Typical accident types include collisions, capsizing, falls overboard, jet-ski crashes, prop-strike injuries, and dockside fires. Stephen Goldenzweig, Houston boating injury lawyer at Goldenzweig Law Group, also investigates rarer events such as life-jacket malfunctions, charter-boat negligence, and offshore rig tender mishaps.

Proving Fault and Negligence

Evidence decides compensation. Houston boating accident attorneys at Goldenzweig Law Group inspect Coast Guard reports, vessel logs, GPS tracks, and toxicology screens. Under Texas modified comparative fault, recovery is barred only when a victim exceeds 50 percent responsibility. Liable parties can include:

  • Impaired or reckless operators
  • Owners who ignore maintenance
  • Rental companies that skip safety briefings
  • Manufacturers of defective engines or fuel systems

If the crash occurred in coastal waters, federal maritime rules may apply, creating joint-and-several liability that can shift full payment onto a defendant even when partly at fault. Our Houston boat-injury legal team preserves evidence quickly to prevent spoliation.

Recoverable Compensation After a Boat Crash

Money cannot erase trauma, but it secures recovery. Injured clients may pursue:

  • Medical costs (ER, surgery, rehab, lifetime care)
  • Lost wages & diminished earning power
  • Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life and recreational ability
  • Property damage to boats, gear, and phones
  • Wrongful-death damages including funeral bills, loss of support, and mental anguish

Traumatic brain injuries, spinal fractures, burns, and amputations dramatically raise case value. Stephen Goldenzweig, veteran Houston boat-accident attorney, partners with medical economists to calculate future costs precisely.

Texas Boating Laws, Safety Rules, and Deadlines

Texas imposes strict safety duties on every operator. Wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life vest is mandatory for children under 13, and open containers behind the helm violate the Texas Water Safety Act. Operators must report serious accidents to TPWD within 30 days.

The civil statute of limitations is two years from the crash or death. Miss the deadline and the court will dismiss your claim, no matter how strong. Offshore workers may also qualify for Jones Act or LHWCA benefits. Our Houston maritime injury attorneys file every action before time runs out.

Meet Attorney Stephen Goldenzweig and Our Team

Clients need counsel who knows Houston waterways. Stephen Goldenzweig, Houston boating crash lawyer, has fought for injured Texans for over 20 years. He has tried and settled complex maritime cases in Harris County, Galveston County, and federal court.

Why victims trust us:

  • Personal attention. You work directly with an attorney, not a call center.
  • Proven results. Millions recovered for drowning, prop-strike, and oil-crew claims.
  • Trial readiness. Insurance carriers respect lawyers who do not fear juries.
  • Community roots. Our Bellaire office is minutes from the West Loop and open 24/7 for emergencies.

“Absolutely thrilled with my experience with Goldenzweig from start to finish, they handled my personal injury case with professionalism, dedication, and a real commitment to getting me the best possible outcome. They fought hard for my settlement, and they made a home run.” – Tony P.

How We Make Legal Help Affordable

Justice should never hinge on a bank account. Our Houston boating accident attorneys work on a contingency fee—no retainer, no hourly bills, and no fee at all unless we win. Every consultation is free, and Spanish-language support is available.

Other Injury Cases We Handle

While maritime claims are a focus, the personal-injury attorneys at Goldenzweig Law Group also represent victims of:

  • Truck and 18-wheeler crashes
  • Serious car wrecks on I-45 and the West Loop
  • Catastrophic brain or spinal injuries
  • Wrongful death caused by dangerous premises or defective products
  • Offshore and oil-rig accidents under the Jones Act

Cross-disciplinary experience strengthens boating cases involving commercial vessels or truck-trailer boat haulers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long will my boating accident case take?

Simple liability and insurance coverage can settle in months. Disputed fault or catastrophic injuries may take a year or more, especially if trial becomes necessary.

What if I was partly at fault?

Under Texas’s 51 percent rule, you can still recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault, provided you were not more than half responsible.

Can I claim if a life jacket failed?

Yes. Stephen Goldenzweig, experienced Houston boating-injury lawyer, pursues product-liability actions against manufacturers of defective safety gear.

Do boating accidents increase during summer holidays?

Yes. TPWD notes spikes around Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day, when crowded launches and alcohol combine.

Will my settlement cover future surgeries?

Our firm uses medical experts to project future costs and includes them in the demand package, ensuring you are not stuck with later bills.

Ready to Talk?

Boating crashes leave victims drowning in medical bills, pain, and uncertainty. Our Houston boat-accident legal team is ready to lift that weight today.

Call 713-561-5003 or complete our online form for your free, no-obligation case review. We answer the phone 24/7. If we don’t recover compensation, you owe us nothing.

Your Course to Recovery Starts Here

The wake from a negligent boater should not define the rest of your life. Stephen Goldenzweig, relentless Houston boating accident lawyer, and the maritime injury team at Goldenzweig Law Group stand ready to chart a new course—toward full medical recovery, financial stability, and peace of mind. Reach out today and let us fight while you heal.