According to reporting from MySA, two people were killed and three more were injured in a boat collision in Texas waters. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) confirmed that two “pleasure crafts” (recreational boats) collided on the evening of August 6th, 2022, near Freeport, Texas. Tragically, a husband and wife were found unresponsive in the water during emergency rescue efforts. Here, our Gulf Coast boat accident lawyer discusses the horrific collision and explains your legal rights if your family member was killed in a recreational boating accident.
Fatal Multi-Boat Collision is Still Being Investigated Near Freeport, TX
Shortly after 9:00 PM on the evening of August 6th, 2022, authorities received an emergency call from a boat operator stating that he had been involved in a collision on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The incident happened along a stretch of water near Freeport, TX.
One recreational boat was headed northbound, the other was headed southbound. There were five people aboard the vessels when the collision occurred. All five were ejected. Two people were able to quickly re-board. A third person was rescued from the water by emergency personnel with moderate head injuries. Tragically, the husband and wife couple aboard did not survive.
As of this point, no official conclusion has been reached regarding how and why the multi-boat accident happened. There is still a comprehensive inquiry underway to determine the cause of the crash. The investigation is being conducted by the United States Coast Guard and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Know Your Rights if Your Family Member Was Killed in a Recreational Boating Accident
In Texas, surviving family members of the victim of a fatal boat accident have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim against the responsible party. Wrongful death claims are negligence-based cases. In other words, plaintiffs (surviving family members) must prove that the fatal accident happened, at least partially, because the defendant failed to take due care. Examples of negligence that can lead to recreational boat accidents include:
- Operator inexperience;
- Distracted boating;
- Intoxicated boating;
- Speeding and/or reckless boating;
- Failure to conduct proper boat maintenance; and
- Failure to provide life preservers and other key safety measures.
There is a two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in Texas. A surviving family that brings a wrongful death claim for a fatal boat accident can seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages, including for loss of love, companionship, and consortium. If you have any specific questions about wrongful death claims, an experienced Gulf Coast fatal boat accident lawyer can help.
Set Up a Free Consultation With a Gulf Coast Boat Accident Attorney
At the Kolodny Law Firm, we fight for the rights and interests of boat accident victims. If you or your family member was hurt in a boat collision, our Texas maritime injury lawyer is more than ready to help. Contact us now for a no-cost, no-commitment review of your case. We provide personal injury representation to boat accident victims throughout the Gulf Coast region.
Alan Kolodny is committed to representing injured clients in Texas and throughout the United States. Alan earned his B.A. from Rice University and his J.D. from Southern Methodist University.
He focuses his practice on representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases involving the following matters: maritime and offshore accidents, including those under the Jones Act; automobile and 18-wheeler truck accidents; and industrial site accidents, work-related accidents, and claims for injured railroad workers under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act.
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