5 Lake Boating Safety Tips
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, Texas ranks second in the nation for boating accident fatalities, having lost 34 lives in 2014. Our Dallas injury lawyer has been helping boating accident victims and their families for more than 40 years.
Unfortunately, many boating accidents end in wrongful death claims resulting from drowning or life-ending injuries sustained in watercraft wrecks. Excess speed, equipment defects and alcohol consumption often play a role in these tragic events.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) recommends adhering to the following safety tips to ensure your recreational boating excursions stay safe and fun:
- Wear a life jacket. 70 percent of boating fatalities involve people who were not wearing life jackets.
- Learn how to swim. If you fall from a boat into the water, your odds of survival increase if you have previously received formal swimming lessons.
- Closely supervise children. It only takes a moment for your child to slip beneath the water and out of sight. Stay close to children and pay close attention to their activities and whereabouts.
- Use the ignition safety switch. A common and life-saving “kill switch” device stops the engine if you fall overboard.
- Take boater education. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department offers a boater education course and includes online options.
If you have lost a loved one or suffered a serious injury in a boating accident, please contact the Turley Law Firm by calling 214-691-4025 or by completing the form on this page. Our Dallas injury lawyer handles cases that originate in popular waterways throughout the state, including Grapevine Lake, Lake Texoma, and others.