Pasadena Boating Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been hurt in a Pasadena, TX boating accident, you are likely facing serious injuries, unexpected medical costs, and questions about who was at fault. These cases involve Texas boating law, insurance disputes, and sometimes federal maritime regulations. Pasadena’s location along Galveston Bay and the Houston Ship Channel means accidents on these waterways are not uncommon.
Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers represents injured boaters and their families across Pasadena and the greater Houston area. Our founding attorneys have more than 25 years of combined trial experience, and our Pasadena, TX boating accident lawyer has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Texas. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe nothing unless we win your case.
Why Choose Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers for Pasadena, TX Boating Accident Cases?
Attorneys Who Understand Boating Accident Law in Texas
Mike Streich has spent 13 years handling boating and watercraft injury cases in Texas. Before representing injured plaintiffs, Mike worked on the defense side of recreational boat accident cases, including wrongful death claims tied to boating collisions. That background means he knows how the other side builds its case and prepares its defenses.
Matt Greenberg is a Texas trial lawyer who has served as lead trial counsel in cases resulting in record-setting verdicts and settlements. Matt earned his J.D. from Baylor Law School and is licensed to practice in Texas, Louisiana, and Arizona. Both attorneys handle Pasadena, TX boating accident claims and cases throughout the state.
If your boating accident caused life-altering harm, our personal injury lawyer in Pasadena, TX can evaluate your claim, handle communications with insurers, and prepare your case for trial if needed.
Proven Results for Injured Clients
Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for clients across Texas. That includes a $16 million settlement for a maritime injury case involving head and neck injuries sustained while working offshore, a $37.5 million verdict in a wrongful death case, and a $35 million truck accident settlement that was the largest recorded Tarrant County personal injury settlement at the time. These results reflect our willingness to prepare every case as though it is going to trial.
Matt has been recognized by Super Lawyers, Lawdragon, and the National Trial Lawyers. Mike was named a Texas Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2014, from 2017 through 2021, and again from 2023 through 2025. He is a member of the Houston Trial Lawyers Association, earned his J.D. cum laude from the University of Houston Law Center, and his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
No Upfront Fees
We take boating accident cases on contingency. You pay nothing unless we recover money for you. The initial consultation is free, and there is no obligation.
What Our Clients Say
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“I was injured in an accident & Mike was exceptional from start to finish. He let me know the process and provided follow ups anytime there was an update in my injury case. I felt like he had a grasp of my personal situation and it was clear he definitely had my back. I would highly recommend him to anyone who wants the real.” – Jonathan Louis
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Pasadena Boating Accident Cases We Handle
Pasadena sits near Galveston Bay, the Houston Ship Channel, and dozens of smaller waterways. Recreational boating, commercial vessel traffic, and industrial marine operations all create different collision and injury risks on the water near Pasadena.
- Motorboat collisions. Two-vessel crashes on open water or in congested channels account for a large portion of boating injury cases. Common causes include speeding, failure to yield, and operator inattention. We investigate each factor to determine who was at fault and what compensation is available.
- Personal watercraft accidents. Jet ski collisions often produce traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage due to the high speeds involved. Operators are frequently inexperienced, and riders lack the structural protection that larger vessels provide.
- Wrongful death. When a boating accident kills someone, surviving family members can pursue a wrongful death claim under Texas law. These cases demand immediate investigation because physical evidence on the water deteriorates quickly, and witness accounts fade.
- Commercial vessel accidents. Injuries aboard commercial vessels or from collisions with commercial traffic near Pasadena often involve federal maritime injury law, Jones Act protections, and offshore regulations that do not apply to standard personal injury cases.
- Dock and marina injuries. Dangerous conditions at boat ramps, docks, and marinas can give rise to premises liability claims when property owners fail to maintain safe conditions. Broken cleats, missing handrails, inadequate lighting, and slippery surfaces are common hazards that cause falls and crush injuries.
- Boat fires and explosions. Fuel leaks, engine malfunctions, and improper fueling procedures can cause onboard fires and explosions that result in severe burn injuries. These cases often involve manufacturer liability in addition to operator negligence.
Texas Legal Requirements for Boating Accident Cases
Texas regulates recreational boating under the Water Safety Act, codified in Chapter 31 of the Parks and Wildlife Code. Boat operators on Texas waterways have a legal duty to operate safely, maintain a proper lookout, and follow navigation rules. Violating those duties can establish negligence in a civil injury claim.
Under Parks and Wildlife Code Section 31.104, any operator involved in a boating accident must stop, render aid, and exchange identifying information. Section 31.105 requires that accidents involving death, serious injury, or property damage over $2,000 be reported to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department within 30 days.
Texas also enforces Boating While Intoxicated laws under Texas Penal Code Section 49.06. A blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher while operating a watercraft is a criminal offense. BWI is not only a criminal matter but also strong evidence of negligence in a civil boating accident claim.
The general statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Texas is two years from the date of the accident under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. Missing this deadline almost always means losing the right to file a lawsuit. There are limited exceptions for minors and cases involving latent injuries, but the two-year window applies to most boating accident cases.
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule under Section 33.001 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code. If you are found more than 50% at fault for the accident, you cannot recover damages. If your share of fault is 50% or less, your recovery is reduced by that percentage. Insurance companies and defense attorneys frequently try to shift blame onto injured boaters, which is one reason why having a Pasadena boating accident attorney matters. Recent legal changes in Texas have also affected how courts handle fault allocation and damage caps in personal injury cases.
What Damages Are Recoverable in Pasadena Boating Accident Cases?
Boating accident injuries can range from broken bones and lacerations to catastrophic injuries like spinal cord damage, amputations, and drowning-related brain injuries. The damages available in a Pasadena boating accident claim fall into three categories.
Economic Damages
These are financial losses with a clear dollar amount. They include medical bills (emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and future treatment), lost wages from time away from work, reduced earning capacity if the injury affects your ability to do your job long-term, and property damage to your vessel or personal belongings. In cases involving serious injuries like spinal cord damage or traumatic amputation, lifetime medical costs alone can run into the millions.
Non-Economic Damages
Texas law allows injured boaters to recover compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement. These losses are harder to quantify than medical bills, but Texas courts recognize them as compensable. A jury evaluates the severity of the injury and its impact on the person’s daily life.
If a boating accident killed your family member, non-economic damages include loss of companionship, loss of consortium, and mental anguish. Our wrongful death attorneys in Pasadena help families understand what their claim is worth.
Punitive Damages
When the at-fault party’s conduct was grossly negligent, such as operating a boat while extremely intoxicated or recklessly speeding through a no-wake zone, Texas law permits exemplary damages under Section 41.003 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code. These are designed to punish and deter dangerous behavior.
The value of a boating accident claim depends on the severity of the injury, the strength of the evidence, and how aggressively the case is pursued. Insurance companies almost always start with a lowball offer. Our attorneys challenge those numbers because we have the trial record to support a higher demand.
What Steps Should I Take After a Boating Accident?
If you’ve been involved in a Pasadena, TX boating accident or an incident on the surrounding waterways, the post-accident steps you take in the first hours and days protect both your health and your legal rights.
- Get to safety. Move away from immediate hazards like fuel leaks, fire, or the risk of drowning. Help others if you can do so without putting yourself in further danger.
- Call 911. Report the accident to emergency services immediately. On Galveston Bay or federal waterways, the U.S. Coast Guard responds alongside local agencies.
- Render aid. Texas law requires boat operators to assist anyone injured in the accident. Failing to do so can result in felony charges.
- Exchange information. Get the names, addresses, and vessel identification numbers of all parties involved. If a commercial vessel or rental company is involved, document the company name and any registration numbers on the hull.
- Document the scene. Take photos and videos of the vessels, injuries, water conditions, and anything else relevant. Capture weather conditions and the position of boats.
- Identify witnesses. Write down the names and contact information of anyone who saw the accident. Other boaters, marina staff, and passengers on nearby vessels are all potential witnesses whose accounts can strengthen your claim.
- Seek medical attention. Some boating injuries, especially head injuries, don’t produce obvious symptoms right away. Get checked out even if you feel fine.
- Report the accident. File a report with TPWD or local law enforcement, especially if there was a death, a serious injury, or property damage exceeding $2,000.
- Don’t give statements to insurance companies. Adjusters contact accident victims quickly. Anything you say can be used to reduce your claim.
- Contact a boating accident lawyer. The sooner an attorney gets involved, the better your chances of preserving evidence and building a strong case.
Pasadena Boating Accident Statistics
Pasadena’s proximity to Galveston Bay, Clear Lake, and the Houston Ship Channel puts residents near some of the highest-traffic waterways in the state. Harris County consistently ranks among the top Texas counties for recreational boating incidents.
According to the TPWD 2024 Recreational Boating Incident Statistics report, Texas recorded 169 boating incidents in 2024, resulting in 24 fatalities and 100 injuries. The fatality rate was 4.33 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels.
Nationally, the U.S. Coast Guard’s 2024 report documented 3,887 boating accidents across the country, causing 556 deaths and 2,170 injuries. Alcohol was the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, responsible for approximately 20% of all boating fatalities in 2024.
The leading causes of boating incidents nationwide continue to be operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, machinery failure, and navigation rule violations. According to the National Safe Boating Council, 87% of drowning victims in recreational boating accidents were not wearing a life jacket in 2024. And 69% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction.
Texas has roughly 1.7 million surface acres of freshwater inland lakes and 4 million surface acres of saltwater, plus 80,000 miles of rivers and streams. Galveston Bay alone sees heavy traffic from fishing boats, sailboats, personal watercraft, and commercial shipping vessels. That mix of recreational and industrial traffic near Pasadena contributes directly to the number of local boating accident cases filed each year.
Drowning is the reported cause of death in 76% of all boating fatalities. Four out of five boaters who drowned were on vessels under 21 feet in length. Open motorboats account for the highest number of incidents nationally, and personal watercraft rank second. Both vessel types are common on the waterways surrounding Pasadena.
Pasadena Boating Accident Lawyer FAQs
How much does a Pasadena boating accident attorney cost?
We handle boating accident cases on contingency. That means there are no hourly rates and no upfront retainers. We only collect a fee if we recover money for you. The consultation is free.
How long do I have to file a boating accident claim in Texas?
Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, you generally have two years from the date of the accident. Some exceptions exist for minors and cases where the injury was not immediately discoverable, but waiting puts your case at risk.
What if I was partially at fault for the boating accident?
Texas uses a modified comparative negligence system. You can still recover damages as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50%. Your compensation will be reduced by whatever percentage of fault is assigned to you.
Can I sue if a drunk boater caused my accident?
You can file a claim against an intoxicated boater. Boating while intoxicated is both a criminal offense and evidence of negligence in a civil case. If the operator’s intoxication contributed to the accident, we can pursue damages on your behalf.
Do I need a lawyer for a boating accident claim?
You’re not required to hire an attorney, but boating cases involve complicated questions of fault, federal and state regulations, and insurance coverage. Having a Pasadena, TX boating accident lawyer handle your claim puts you in a stronger position when dealing with insurance adjusters and defense counsel.
What evidence should I preserve after a boat crash?
Photographs, video, witness statements, medical records, the TPWD incident report, vessel registration documents, and maintenance records are all important. Try to preserve as much as possible in the hours and days after the accident.
Are boat owners liable for accidents caused by someone else operating their vessel?
In many cases, yes. Texas law can hold the boat owner responsible under negligent entrustment theories if they allowed an unqualified or intoxicated person to operate their vessel.
What if someone died in a boating accident?
Surviving family members can bring a wrongful death claim under Texas law. The filing deadline is two years from the date of death, and an early investigation is critical to preserving evidence from the vessel and the scene.
Does insurance cover boating accidents in Texas?
Most boat insurance policies cover bodily injury and property damage. However, coverage limits, exclusions, and disputes about fault are common. Your attorney can review the relevant policies and negotiate directly with the insurer.
Can I file a claim if I was a passenger on the boat?
Injured passengers have every right to file a claim against the boat operator, the owner, or other responsible parties. You do not have to be the one driving.
What types of injuries do boating accidents cause?
Common injuries include burn injuries from fuel fires, traumatic brain injuries from impacts, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, lacerations from propellers, and drowning-related oxygen deprivation.
How is fault determined in a boating accident?
Investigators look at operator behavior, vessel speed, lookout compliance, alcohol use, weather conditions, equipment failure, and whether navigation rules were followed. In some cases, third parties like boat manufacturers or marina operators share liability. Accidents near industrial facilities can also involve oilfield companies or vessel operators working on commercial contracts.
Will my case go to trial?
Most cases settle before trial, but we prepare every case as if it will be tried to a jury. That preparation is what produces fair settlement offers. When an insurer refuses to offer a reasonable number, we are ready for the courtroom.
Can I recover damages for emotional distress?
Texas allows recovery for mental anguish in personal injury and wrongful death claims. This is especially relevant in boating accidents involving serious trauma or the loss of a loved one.
How do I get started with a Pasadena boating injury attorney?
Call our firm or fill out the form on our contact page. We will review the facts of your case at no cost and let you know where you stand.
Most Dangerous Locations for Pasadena, TX Boating Accidents
Pasadena’s location along the western shore of Galveston Bay means local boaters are close to some of the busiest and most dangerous waterways in Texas. Several areas near Pasadena see a disproportionate number of boating incidents.
Galveston Bay is the largest estuary in Texas, and the intersection of recreational and commercial traffic creates constant hazards. The Houston Ship Channel, which runs from the Port of Houston through Galveston Bay to the Gulf of Mexico, carries heavy industrial vessel traffic right alongside recreational boaters. Clear Lake and its tributaries draw large numbers of jet skis, sailboats, and fishing vessels on weekends, contributing to congestion.
Trinity Bay, which connects to the northern end of Galveston Bay, is known for sudden weather changes that catch smaller boats off guard. The San Jacinto River feeds into the ship channel near Pasadena and sees both recreational and barge traffic. The Houston Ship Channel has also been the site of chemical releases that can create additional dangers for boaters in the area. Boat ramps along Pasadena’s shoreline, including those in the Red Bluff area, can be hazardous when launch conditions are crowded or the water is rough.
What Are Important Local Resources for Pasadena Boating Accidents?
If you’ve been involved in a Pasadena boating accident, these local agencies and organizations can assist with reporting, medical care, and emergency response. Depending on where the accident occurred, you may need to coordinate with both local law enforcement and federal agencies like the Coast Guard.
- Pasadena Police Department – 713-475-7231
- Pasadena Fire Department – 911 for emergencies
- Pasadena Emergency Management – 713-475-5588
- HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast – Emergency hospital serving the Pasadena area
- U.S. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston – (281) 464-4851
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department – Boating accident reports and boater education
Disclaimer: The listing of these resources does not constitute an endorsement by Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers. These are public agencies and healthcare providers included solely for informational purposes.
Contact Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers
If a Pasadena, TX boating accident left you or someone in your family with serious injuries, our firm is prepared to take your case. We offer free consultations. There are no fees unless we win your case. When you contact us, we will review the details of your accident, answer your questions, and help you understand your options. We respond to new inquiries quickly because evidence in boating cases can disappear fast.
