Injured in a Boating Accident on Lake Conroe in TX?
Boating accidents in Lake Conroe in TX are an unfortunately common occurrence. Covering an expansive 21,000 acres and boasting serene and tranquil landscapes, Lake Conroe was also previously designated one of the top 10 deadliest lakes in Texas.
If you or someone you love has been injured or even killed in a fatal boat crash on Lake Conroe or on another lake in any of the state’s many Texas parks, consider contacting a Houston boating accident lawyer. Our skilled The Woodlands / Houston boat injury attorneys will help you investigate your right to a claim and the compensation you need to recover from the accident. Call us today for your free initial consultation: 713-224-7644.
Why is Lake Conroe dangerous?
Lake Conroe is a state lake in Montgomery county precinct that was originally filled with water in 1973. The lake has natural dangers such as slightly submerged stumps, logs, and rocks. It is also susceptible to dramatic weather changes and, despite being in Texas, the water can get cold enough to induce hypothermia.
Since Lake Conroe is so big, it is also difficult for authorities to patrol the entire area effectively.
However, what is most likely to cause a boating accident on Lake Conroe in TX typically has less to do with the natural landscape and more to do with boating safety issues. For example, per the 2019 USCG Boating Safety report, the top cause of all boating accidents in 2019 was, by a wide margin, collision with another recreational vehicle. (For a thorough breakdown of contributing factors to boating fatalities, please see our article on the cause of boating accidents.)
Also per that same report, alcohol is the leading contributor to boating fatalities and wrongful death, with 23% of the boating fatalities in 2019 involving boating intoxication. Open containers of alcohol are allowed on boating vessels, although boating while intoxication (BWI), i.e. boating with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher, is illegal.
Still, when you take into account the fact that drinking is allowed on boats and that the number of people on boats in lakes like Lake Conroe is increasing, you can see why your chances of being involved in a Lake Conroe accident may be higher than you originally anticipated.
Texas and Lake Conroe boating accident statistics
Specific and consistent Lake Conroe accident numbers can be hard to come by, but a spate of articles came out in 2014 after an increase of Lake Conroe accidents that gives us some vital information. For example, an August 2014 Houston Chronicle article recorded that there had been 22 deaths on Lake Conroe from 2000-2014.
Of course, Lake Conroe is not the only lake in Texas where fatalities occur. For example, the 2019 U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety report states that there were a total of 184 accidents in Texas in 2019 alone, 38 of which were fatal accidents, with a total of 43 casualties.
The issue is that boating accidents are increasing, not decreasing, despite heightened safety measures and training.
In a September 2020 article by the San Antonio Express, it was reported that during 2020, boating in general increased, as did accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
“Accidents on Texas waterways have soared 55 percent, and boating injuries have spiked 68 percent compared to this time last year, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
The increased danger mirrors the national trend. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that fatal boating accidents were up 19 percent during the first half of 2020 compared to the year before.”
These increasing numbers are also reflected in reports regarding fatalities in Lake Conroe. Conroe’s Community Impact Newspaper reported 5 fatal drownings within January-August of 2020. The article also states:
“Since 2010, there have been 26 deaths by drowning on Lake Conroe reported by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department… So far, this year is Lake Conroe’s third-deadliest year since 2010, tied with the four drownings in 2010 and 2014 and following the five drownings reported by the TPWD in 2016 and 2017.”
Note that these latter statistics only account for drownings and not all fatal accidents involving boats.
How personal injury lawyers can help those injured in a Lake Conroe accident
If you or someone you loved was injured or killed in a Lake Conroe accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may have the option to pursue a claim. While the idea of going to court for an accident may feel overwhelming, expenses for taking care of the person injured in the accident can add up quickly. Meanwhile, if the responsible party and/or their insurance company isn’t willing to own up to their responsibilities, you may be unfairly burdened with these expenses.
A personal injury lawyer in The Woodlands, TX can help you pursue your claim to the compensation you need to help you and your family recover from a boating accident on Lake Conroe or other Texas lakes.
Specifically, a boating accident lawyer can help you establish whether or not you have a case, track down and preserve evidence, investigate the best method of pursuing a claim, negotiate with outside parties and insurance adjusters to find an appropriate settlement, and/or prepare your case for court (if necessary).
Depending on the specifics of your case and where you live, you may want to work with a law firm with attorneys that have experience as wrongful death lawyers in Houston / The Woodlands wrongful death lawyers. Grimes & Fertitta have not only built a solid reputation as trustworthy boat accident lawyers but are known for their conscientious handling of especially serious personal injury cases, including those involving wrongful death.
For those accidents involving failed equipment, clients may wish to seek representation from a boating/personal injury lawyer who also has experience as a Houston product liability lawyer.
Work with a Houston boating accident lawyer you can trust at Grimes & Fertitta
If you or a loved one were recently injured in a boating accident on Lake Conroe in TX, the boat accident attorneys at Grimes & Fertitta are here to help. When you work with us, you gain the competitive advantage of working with former insurance defense lawyers; we can anticipate the tactics used to keep you and your family from getting the compensation you need.
You also gain the security and peace of mind that come with working with a boat accident law firm that truly keeps your best interests at heart. Our small firm works closely with our clients so that their needs are met during every step of the litigation process. We never treat our clients like “just a case number,” and our track record of success reflects the difference that level of service can make.
Let us help you get back on your feet after a Lake Conroe accident. Call us at 713-224-7644 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation today.
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