Lake Travis Boat Accident Attorney

Name: Janicek Law
Address: 1100 NE Interstate 410 Loop #600, San Antonio, Texas, 78209
Telephone: 210-366-4949

A Lake Travis boat accident lawyer from Janicek Law can help boat accident victims secure compensation for any serious personal injury sustained by negligence.

Lake Travis is known as the ultimate summer boating destination for Texans, but boat accidents remain a stark reality across the U.S. Boating accidents often lead to serious injuries and, tragically, sometimes even fatal injuries. During these devastating times, the Lake Travis boat accident attorneys at Janicek Law stand ready to support and protect the legal rights of accident victims. With our extensive knowledge of maritime law, our Take Travis boating accident lawyers are committed to helping boat accident victims navigate the legal waters of their boating accident cases to recover justice and secure the financial compensation they rightfully deserve.

If you or a loved one has suffered catastrophic injuries or wrongful death from a boating accident near San Antonio, New Braunfels, or Seguin, Texas, call an experienced boat accident attorney at 210-366-4949 to schedule a free consultation today.

How Often Do Boat Accidents Happen?

Unfortunately, boating accidents and serious injuries are common in Lake Travis, particularly during peak tourist seasons. Lake Austin and Travis attract thousands of visitors annually, particularly during the summer months, increasing the likelihood of recreational boating accidents, jet ski accidents, and various other marine accidents.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, 4,040 boating accidents and jet ski accidents occurred in 2022, resulting in 2,222 injuries, 636 deaths, and about $63 million in property damage. The vast majority (75%) of these fatalities occurred due to drowning due to a lack of proper safety equipment such as life jackets. On the bright side, these statistics represent a 9% decrease in nationwide accidents compared to 2021.

Of these 2022 boat accidents, 14 occurred in Texas, resulting in 18 boating accident injuries and 2 deaths.

The Most Common Causes of Boat Accidents at Lake Travis

According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s 2022 accident report, intoxication was one of the leading factors that contributed to fatal recreational boating accidents. Alcohol use contributed to approximately 16% of deaths during boat accidents or jet ski accidents each year. Another leading cause of boat accidents in the U.S. is the lack of proper boating safety instruction, contributing to approximately 74% of deaths, according to the Coast Guard.

Boating accidents occur for many other reasons as well, including:

Operator inattention
Operator inexperience
Improper lookout
Excessive speeds
Faulty or defective equipment
Poor weather
Violating navigation rules and maritime laws
Hazardous waters
Reckless operation

Many of these causes of boating accidents are rooted in operator negligence. If you were injured in a boating accident for one of the reasons above, you may have grounds to file a boat accident claim.

Is It Illegal to Drive a Boat While Intoxicated in Texas?

Yes, boat operators driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances is illegal in Texas, as stipulated by Section 49.06 of the Texas Penal Code. Boating while intoxicated in Texas bears many resemblances to the state’s driving while intoxicated laws or reckless operation laws in other states, but there are notable distinctions. One key difference is that while open containers of alcohol are allowed on boats, boat operators may be subject to a safety inspection at any time, even if authorities don’t actively suspect the boating operators are under the influence.

Texas BUI Penalties

In Texas, boating operators convicted of repeated offenses of boating while intoxicated (BUI) can lead to escalating penalties, including higher fines, extended license suspensions, and longer jail sentences. Additionally, if the drunk boat operator causes significant bodily injury or fatalities, the severity of the penalties can be even more severe.

BUI Offenses With No Boating Injuries

A first BUI offense for boating operators may warrant penalties such as a maximum fine of $2,000, a jail sentence ranging from 72 hours to 180 days, or both. This offense is classified as a Class B misdemeanor.

For a second BUI offense, boating operators may incur a fine of up to $4,000, serve a jail sentence ranging from 30 days to one year, or face both penalties. This offense is categorized as a Class A misdemeanor.

If boating operators commit a third BUI offense, they may be subjected to a fine not exceeding $10,000, a jail term of 2 to 10 years, or possibly both. This is considered a third-degree felony offense, which comes with further repercussions.

First BUI Offense With Serious Bodily Injury

A first BUI offense resulting in a boating accident injury may warrant a fine up to $10,000, a jail sentence ranging from 2 to 10 years, or both. Such an offense is categorized as a third-degree felony.

First BUI Offense With Fatal Injuries

A first BUI offense resulting in death may warrant a fine of up to $10,000, a jail term ranging from 2 to 10 years, or potentially both. This is considered a second-degree felony offense.

What Are the Most Common Boating Accident Injuries?

Unfortunately, boating accidents can lead to various personal injuries, some of which can be severe. The most common boating injuries seen in personal injury claims include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries: Traumatic brain injuries and concussions are often caused by falls or being struck by objects. Our San Antonio traumatic brain injury lawyers have extensive experience in handling these types of injury cases.
Drowning or Near-Drowning Incidents: Resulting from being thrown overboard or capsizing. Drowning can also result in traumatic brain injuries caused by oxygen deprivation. If you or a loved one has suffered a drowning or delayed drowning, contact a San Antonio drowning lawyer today.
Broken Bones: Broken bones commonly occur from collisions, falls on the boat, or being hit by boating equipment.
Lacerations and Bruises: Often caused by propeller injuries, sharp objects, debris, or impact with the boat or water.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Potentially resulting from high-speed impacts or falls, leading to long-term disability in severe cases. Our San Antonio spinal cord injury lawyers have what it takes to recover the compensation you deserve for catastrophic injuries like these.
Burn Injuries: Due to boat fires, explosions, or hot surfaces and equipment on the boat. Allow our San Antonio burn injury lawyers to fight for your justice and compensation.

The experienced boating accident attorneys at Janicek Law can help injured clients recover full and fair compensation for their suffering associated with boating accident injuries.

When to Report Boating Accidents in Texas

When boating accidents occur, it’s mandatory for boating operators to report the incident to local law enforcement, Texas game wardens, or the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, particularly if the boating accident involves:

A fatality or a person going missing;
Serious injuries requiring treatment beyond first aid; or
Property damage exceeding $2,000 in value.

How to Report a Boat Accident in Texas

Following a boating accident, the boat operator is required to take specific actions. Firstly, they must stop the boat immediately and help anyone injured or thrown overboard, as long as offering help doesn’t pose a risk to their own boat or passengers. The boat operator must immediately contact emergency services in boating accident cases involving medical emergencies, missing persons, or fatalities.

All operators involved in boat collisions have a 30-day window to report the incident. However, if the accident resulted in a death, this timeframe is reduced to 48 hours. For boat operators near Lake Travis, reporting can be done by contacting local authorities, a Texas game warden in Austin at (325) 673-3333, or the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at (800) 792-1112.

Boat operators must provide thorough information about the incident when reporting boating accident cases. This includes details such as the names of those involved, the exact time and location of the accident, and the water conditions and weather at the time of the event.

Can You Sue for a Boating Accident at Lake Travis?

Yes, it is possible to sue for a boating accident. To do so, victims and their boating accident attorneys need to prove negligence using the four key elements:

Duty of Care: Establish that the party at fault was responsible for operating the vessel safely, adhering to boating laws and regulations to prevent harm.
Breached Duty of Care: Demonstrate how this responsibility was breached. Boating accident attorneys could show this through reckless operation, intoxication, or failure to adhere to safety protocols.
Causation: Link the breach of duty directly to the boat accident. It’s crucial for boating accident lawyers to show that the accident occurred as a direct result of the other party’s negligence or reckless behavior.
Damages: Provide evidence of the damages suffered due to the accident. This includes personal injuries, emotional distress, financial losses from medical bills, lost wages, and other related expenses.

Successfully proving these elements can establish the negligence of the other party, allowing victims to recover compensation. Proving negligence alone can be complicated and overwhelming, which is why it’s so important to consult with our Lake Travis boating accident lawyers. Our skilled legal team can help gather evidence, build a solid boating accident case, navigate the legal intricacies to ensure your rights are protected, and help you achieve a favorable case outcome.

Boating Accident Damages

When involved in a boating accident, the range of potential damages that victims might experience can be extensive. Understanding these damages is crucial for all personal injury claims. Victims in a boating accident case can typically recover the following types of damages:

Medical Expenses: Cost of medical bills for immediate and ongoing medical treatment, including hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to the inability to work following the accident. This also encompasses potential loss of future earning capacity if the injuries are long-term or permanent.
Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages for physical pain and emotional distress resulting from the accident. This can also include compensation for loss of enjoyment of life and mental anguish. Our San Antonio emotional distress lawyers can help you determine if you have a strong claim.
Property Damage: Costs to repair or replace the boat and other personal property damaged in the accident.
Wrongful Death: In the unfortunate event of a fatality, damages may include funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship for the surviving family members. Allow our San Antonio wrongful death lawyers to fight for justice on your loved one’s behalf.

San Antonio personal injury attorneys at Janicek Law can help you recover maximum compensation for your boating accident claim.

Texas Statute of Limitations for Boating Accident Claims

Texas law stipulates a two-year statute of limitations for all personal injury cases, including boating accident claims. This means victims must file maritime claims within two years from the date of their accident. Failing to meet this deadline can result in the loss of the right to seek compensation. That’s why it’s so important to contact a Lake Travis boating accident lawyer at Janicek Law as soon as possible.

Lake Travis Boating Accident Attorneys

If you were injured in a boating accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may have grounds to recover compensation via a personal injury claim. San Antonio personal injury attorneys at Janicek Law specialize in representing victims in boating accident cases in Lake Travis and beyond. With a deep understanding of Texas maritime law and a commitment to client advocacy, Janicek Law is ready to help victims navigate the complexities of their claims. Call 210-366-4949 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced boating attorney at our law firm today.

Multi-Million Dollar Results For Over 30 Years

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   Natasha Garza 
 31 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had an amazing experience with Janicek Law from beginning to end. Karen Rangel recommended us to Cassidy Muniz, and we are so thankful she did. Cassidy assisted myself, my husband, and our two daughters, and all four of us are extremely happy with the experience and outcome. Cassidy truly went above and beyond for our entire family. She was always responsive, patient, professional, and helpful, and she kept us informed throughout the entire process. Everything went smoothly, we had no issues, and she made what could have been a stressful situation so much easier for us. The entire team at Janicek Law is amazing, and we felt like we were in great hands from start to finish. We are incredibly grateful to Karen for recommending Cassidy and especially grateful to Cassidy for everything she did for our family. We would 100% recommend Cassidy and Janicek Law to anyone looking for a team that truly cares about their clients. Thank you all so much for everything! ❤️
  
 
       
   Alex McWhirter 
 18 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We were referred to Janicek Law firm from a lawyer in Brownsville, who pointed out that they are experts in the field of medical malpractice and I am so grateful. We worked with Andrew and Gaby and they were dedicated and worked hard to get us the best possible outcome. They kept us informed and updated through every step of the process, always with a friendly and very professional disposition. Despite language and distance challenges, they accommodated all of our needs, and I would highly recommend Janicek Law Firm. They made a bad situation better by listening to our concerns, helping us through a sorrowful time for my family, and advising on how to defeat our opponent. For any families that have a beloved and elderly relative who suffered in the hands of callous and neglectful medical institutions, Janicek Law Firm were amazing in advocating for our relative and making these corporate entities accountable. Thank you, Andrew and Gaby, we really appreciated your help!
  
 
       
   Heidi Soto 
 8 August 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mr Bernal and Karen were great. They always kept me up to date on all that was going on at all times. When it came down to mediation Mr Bernal knew exactly what to do and say to make things clear with the insurance company who wanted to take advantage of me. I highly recommend Mr Bernal if you ever are in an accident. He will definitely take care of you.
  
 
       
   Lucy 
 30 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am beyond thankful for everyone at Janicek law for the professionalism, dedication, and support you all have showed throughout my lawsuit. From the very beginning, you all made a difficult and stressful situation much easier to navigate! Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, keeping me informed every step of the way and making this process as stress free as possible! I can without a doubt definitely recommend this law firm!
  
 
       
   Iris Contreras 
 16 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have started this review so many times, but every time I do, I realize there simply aren't enough words to thank the people at Janicek Law. Almost 3 years ago, my world ended. I lost my son, Zayden—the greatest love of my life. My other son, Zy, witnessed the unimaginable that day. He carries those memories with him every single day, and we are forever grateful that he is still here because we very easily could have lost him too. Our family didn't just experience a tragedy—we experienced trauma that changed us forever. When I first met the team at Janicek Law, I wasn't just grieving. I was broken. I was a mother trying to survive the unthinkable while helping my surviving son heal from something no child should ever witness. I didn't know if I had the strength to keep fighting. There were so many moments when I wanted to give up. Every deposition, every conversation, every piece of evidence forced me to relive the worst day of my life. I told them I couldn't do it anymore. But they never let me forget why we were fighting. They reminded me that Zayden deserved justice. They reminded me that Zy deserved justice. They believed in my family even when I couldn't believe in myself. What makes Janicek Law different is that this was never just a job to them. They never made me feel like another client or another case number. They knew my children by name. They celebrated Zayden's life. They cried with us, prayed with us, hugged us, encouraged us, and walked beside us through every heartbreaking step. They carried a piece of this burden with us, and I will never forget that. Even after the case was over, they didn't disappear. They still answer my calls. They still help me with paperwork. They still check on me. They still make me feel like my family matters. That's something you cannot fake. That's love. Somewhere along the way, I stopped seeing them as "my attorneys" and started seeing them as family. And I truly believe I have a family for life. No amount of money will ever bring my little boy back. I would trade every penny to hear his laugh one more time. But because of Janicek Law, I have peace knowing that his life mattered, his story was heard, and that they fought for my boys with everything they had. From the deepest part of a mother's heart... thank you. Thank you for loving my children. Thank you for never giving up on us when I wanted to give up myself. Thank you for standing beside us through the darkest chapter of our lives. You gave my family more than legal representation—you gave us hope, dignity, and people we will love for the rest of our lives. You helped a grieving mother find the strength to be the voice her son no longer had. In a world that can feel so unfair, you reminded me that there are still genuinely good people. We love each and every one of you, and we will never forget what you did for Zayden, for Zy, and for us.❤️
  
 
       
   Destiny Sanchez 
 14 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My friend Karen referred us to Janicek law firm and I am so grateful. We worked with cassidy moving forward and she went above and beyond while helping me with my accident case. From the very beginning, she was professional, knowledgeable, and always available to answer my questions. She kept me informed throughout the entire process and made a stressful situation much easier to handle. Her dedication, hard work, and attention to detail truly made a difference in my case. I am incredibly grateful for everything she did for me and my family. I would highly recommend Cassidy and Janicek Law Firm, who genuinely cares about clients and fights for the best possible outcome. Thank you cassidy for everything!
  
 
       
   Virginia-Ann Bernal 
 8 July 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. After my accident, I felt overwhelmed and had no idea what to do next. Choosing Janicek Law Firm was one of the best decisions I could have made. From the very beginning, Philip Bernal,  Cassidy Muniz, and Karen Rangel took the time to explain the process, answer my questions, and make sure I always knew what to expect. Cassidy and Karen were  absolutely incredible throughout my entire case. They coordinated my medical care, helped with scheduling appointments, communicated with my insurance, and was always available whenever I needed guidance or reassurance. Their compassion and dedication truly made a difficult time so much easier. The entire team worked hard to build my case, keeping me informed every step of the way, and ultimately secured a settlement I was very happy with. More importantly, they gave me the peace of mind to focus on healing instead of worrying about the legal process. I can’t thank Philip, Cassidy, Karen and everyone at Janicek Law Firm enough for their professionalism, kindness, and commitment. If you’re looking for a law firm that genuinely cares about its clients, I highly recommend them. THANK YOU SOO MUCH!!
  
 
       
   Corey Sil 
 29 June 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mr. Skemp and Gaby took care of everything and made my suit for Wrongful Death as easy as possible. I couldn’t have done any of this with out them! They honored and represented my Mother to the fullest and for that I am greatful! G. Silvas
  
 
       
   Jasub Baez 
 22 June 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Good lawyers .
  
 
       
   Aldo Salinas 
 10 June 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I highly recommend the team at Janicek Law. From the very beginning, they provided outstanding legal service that was both professional and deeply compassionate. The entire staff is incredibly knowledgeable, and they made a complex process feel manageable and stress-free. It’s rare to find a firm that combines such high-level legal expertise with a genuinely friendly, client-focused approach. I am very grateful for their support and would choose them again without hesitation.
  
 
 
 
  
 
   Google rating score: 4.8 of 5, based on 358 reviews

Janicek Law handled my case with such professionalism. I was always kept in the loop about what was going on with my case. Cassidy Muniz is amazing at what she does and I really felt like they actually cared about me and my case. Highly recommend Janicek Law Firm!

I could not be happier with the service and compassion from the Janicek Law Firm. They were friendly, responsive and knowledgeable throughout the entire process. I would give ten stars if I could – They are excellent!

Janicek Law was patient and understanding to my situation – it’s a fight – but they would make my father proud. Thanks you for taking the time to look over my case and speaking up for my family.

Beth and Mona have been truly helpful with our case! They have really done an amazing job. I would highly recommend them to anyone I know.

Incredibly talented and knowledgeable attorneys that will fight negligent nursing homes and bring Justice to the elderly and their families.

I am very happy and pleased with the Janicek Law Firm. I had such a difficult time finding someone to look into my case. The Janicek Law Firm has been very professional and attentive to my questions. They will take the time and review your situation and have been very dedicated in reviewing my case.