Boating Accidents in Texas — Lake and River Liability
Texas has thousands of lakes, rivers, and reservoirs — including Canyon Lake, Medina Lake, Calaveras Lake, and the Guadalupe River — making boating injuries a real and common issue. Common causes of Texas boating accidents include:
- Operator inattention or inexperience
- Alcohol and BUI (Boating Under the Influence) — illegal and extremely dangerous
- Excessive speed in congested areas
- Failure to yield right of way to swimmers or other vessels
- Propeller strikes when swimmers are too close to the boat
- Rental boat mechanical failures — the rental company may be liable
Jesse Sepulveda investigates the boat operator, the boat owner, and any relevant rental company to identify all liable parties.
Pedestrian Rights in Texas
Texas law gives pedestrians the right of way in marked crosswalks, at intersections with traffic signals, and when crossing with a pedestrian signal. Drivers must:
- Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks
- Not overtake a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk
- Exercise due care to avoid hitting pedestrians anywhere on the roadway
When drivers fail at these obligations, the injuries can be catastrophic. Pedestrians have no protective metal shell — and the results of being struck by a car at even moderate speed can include traumatic brain injury, broken pelvis, leg fractures, and internal injuries.
Bicycle Accidents and Texas Law
Cyclists in Texas have the same rights and duties as drivers in most situations. When a driver violates those rules and hits a cyclist, the driver is liable. Jesse Sepulveda handles bicycle accident claims involving:
- Dooring accidents — a car door opens into the cyclist's path
- Right-hook crashes — a car turns right across the cyclist's lane
- Red light and stop sign violations
- Distracted driving — phones, GPS, and other distractions
- Road surface negligence — potholes and defective surfaces maintained by a city or county