Identify the boat and operator
A boating injury may involve an owner, rental company or marina. Nolan reviews those relationships rather than assuming the person steering is the only relevant party.
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Dallas boat accident Lawyer
Clear answers. Personal attention.
Discuss your boat accident case directly with Nolan. Review the evidence, coverage and next steps.
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Talk through your boating injury. Share a few details below.
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Contacting the firm does not create an attorney–client relationship. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Talk through your boating injury
Injured on a North Texas lake?
Get help beyond the boating report.
An injury involving a boat can leave passengers, swimmers or people being towed facing treatment bills and disputed accounts. Nolan can discuss your position, the waterway and what happened without expecting you to determine the legal framework first.
- Connect the movements and available witness accounts to the particular collision or injury being disputed.
- Review the incident location and coverage questions alongside your injuries, rather than assuming every lake event follows the same path.
Nolan Ryan McConvilleManaging attorney · Licensed in Texas since 2016
Firmwide: 99% win rate.
Firmwide: 99% win rate.
Dallas boat accident cases
Boat accident injuries on North Texas lakes
Nolan Ryan McConvilleManaging attorney · Licensed in Texas since 2016North Texas spends its summers on the water at Lake Ray Hubbard, Lewisville Lake, Grapevine Lake, Joe Pool Lake and Lake Texoma. Crowded coves, alcohol and inexperienced operators are a dangerous mix, and boat crashes can cause serious injuries and drownings.
Nolan Ryan represents passengers, swimmers, tubers and other boaters hurt by someone else's carelessness. He handles the case personally and works to secure evidence before the boat is repaired or sold.
- Free consultation
- No fee unless we recover
- Work directly with Nolan
Which boat and operator were involved, and was a report made?
About Nolan Ryan McConville, Texas attorney since 2016 · Updated October 2026
Nolan Ryan McConville
Managing attorney
- Licensed in Texas since 2016
- J.D. cum laude, Texas Tech School of Law
- Member, Texas Trial Lawyers Association
Sketch the movements on the water
Use the view you remember; a rough diagram is enough, and missing details can remain blank.
Your position
Mark where you were in the boat and which way you faced. Note anything that limited your view of another vessel.
The approach
Draw remembered directions of travel and any turn. Use labels such as “unsure” rather than estimating speed or distance you cannot judge.
The contact or movement
Mark the area of contact, fall or sudden movement. Keep your own view separate from accounts supplied afterward by other passengers.
Responsibility
Who may be responsible
The boat's operator is usually the first place to look, but others may share responsibility.
Applicable liability insurance may cover a legally responsible insured, subject to limits, exclusions and policy terms. Coverage is not guaranteed.
The owner
An owner may be liable for their own negligence, such as knowingly entrusting a boat to an incompetent or impaired operator. Ownership alone does not establish liability.
Rental companies and marinas
They may be responsible if they rented to someone who clearly shouldn't have been at the helm or didn't maintain the boat.
Bars and dram shop law
If a bar or marina served the operator while obviously intoxicated to the point of being a clear danger, Texas dram shop law may make it responsible when that intoxication proximately caused the harm (Tex. Alco. Bev. Code §2.02).
Insurance and a friend's boat
Some owners carry watercraft coverage and some don't, so Nolan looks at every policy. Coverage depends on the insured parties, exclusions and policy limits. Nolan handles those coverage questions.
At the lake
What to do after a boat crash
Report promptly and follow TPWD’s boating accident reporting instructions. Emergency contact and any required written report are separate steps.
- Get emergency help and medical care first. Call 911 and ask for a game warden or local police
- Get the boat's registration number and the operator's name
- If it is safe, photograph the boats, the scene and your injuries
- Get names of witnesses on shore and on other boats
- Note whether the operator was drinking
- Keep your life jacket and any damaged gear
The investigation
Game wardens, reports and which law applies
Who investigates and which law applies can shape your claim. It's one more reason to get advice early.
Game wardens
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens enforce boating laws on Texas lakes, including the law against boating while intoxicated, and investigate many boating accidents.
Reports as evidence
Their reports and any arrest records can be important evidence.
Federal maritime law
Depending on where it happened and the type of vessel, federal maritime law may apply instead of, or alongside, Texas law. That can change the deadlines and rules for recovery.
From day one
What Nolan checks first
Nolan works to keep the boat as it is and gather the records that show what happened.
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01Review step
Preservation letters
He asks the operator, the owner and any rental company or marina not to repair, sell or alter the boat.
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02Review step
Records, photos and video
He requests rental agreements, maintenance records and any receipts showing alcohol sales, and looks for photos and video from people on shore and on other boats.
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03Review step
Incident reports
For an on-water boating incident, he requests the Texas Parks and Wildlife report and any other law-enforcement report, rather than relying on an auto-crash CR-3.
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04Review step
Insurance policies
He identifies every policy that may apply, including boat, homeowner's and marina coverage.
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05Review step
Medical records
He makes sure your care is documented, including propeller wounds and near-drowning complications that can need long-term treatment.
The sequence and timing depend on your case, engagement and the records available.
Common causes
What causes boating accidents
Boating while intoxicated
Alcohol slows reaction time on the water just as it does on the road. Texas treats boating while intoxicated as a crime.
Inexperience
Rental boats and personal watercraft are often run by people with little training. Texas requires boater education for many younger operators.
Excessive speed
Speeding through crowded coves or near docks leaves no time to avoid swimmers or other boats.
No lookout
An operator who isn't watching for swimmers, skiers or tubers can run right over them.
Unsafe equipment
Missing life jackets, faulty steering, or exhaust fumes near the swim platform.
Know your deadline
Texas injury lawsuits generally have two years from injury, and wrongful-death lawsuits generally have two years from death (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §16.003), and exceptions exist. If federal maritime law applies, different deadlines and procedures may come into play, and some move quickly. Talk to Nolan before assuming you have two years.
Questions about a deadline? Call Nolan at (214) 706-4031
How it works
How a boat injury case usually moves
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01
Free consultation with Nolan
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02
The boat, the scene and the records are preserved
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03
Every responsible person, business and insurer is identified
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04
Your treatment and losses are documented
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05
Nolan negotiates, and prepares the case for trial if needed
Related cases
Related practice areas
Cruise ship injuries
Wrongful death
Longshore injuries
Car accidents
Free consultation
Talk to Nolan about your case
There is no cost to talk with Nolan, and no attorney's fee unless money is recovered.
If available, bring the boat’s registration number, operator details, report information and safe scene photos. Missing records need not delay contact.
Ask which report and location details are needed to review the possible claim routes. Explain whether the boat belonged to a friend, was rented or remains unidentified without assuming that decides responsibility or coverage.
- Fee agreed in writing
- Phone, video or in person
- You talk directly with Nolan
Your written fee agreement also explains how case expenses are handled.
Your case, handled personally
5 reasons to choose Nolan Ryan
Preserve the boat's condition
Repairs, sale or alterations can change the evidence. Nolan seeks preservation of the boat when its condition may help explain what caused the incident.
Seek the records behind the trip
Rental agreements, maintenance information and available photos or video may answer different questions. Nolan requests relevant records from the companies and people involved.
Use the appropriate boating report
An on water incident may involve a Texas Parks and Wildlife report rather than an auto crash report. Nolan considers relevant law enforcement records alongside other evidence.
Review coverage without assuming payment
Boat, homeowner's and marina policies can raise different coverage questions. Nolan reviews potentially applicable policies alongside the incident facts rather than assuming a familiar operator means coverage.
Recent Victories
Proven Case Results
Case results are gross settlement amounts from past Nolan Ryan Law cases and depend on the facts of each case. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
$10 Million
Major 18 Wheeler Accident Settlement
$12 Million
Construction Accident and Wrongful Death Settlement
$1.5 Million
Motor Vehicle Accident Settlement
$1,150,000
Motor Vehicle Accident Settlement
Pre-suit Offer: $0
$775,000
Motor Vehicle Accident Settlement
$2,100,000
Motorcycle Accident Settlement
Pre-suit Offer: $0
Personal Injury Cases we handle
If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you need a team that acts fast and fights hard. Nolan Ryan Law has a strong record of securing significant settlements and verdicts for injured Texans.
We pursue the full compensation you deserve so you can focus on healing while we handle the fight.
Call Us Now
Talk with Nolan Ryan Law about the incident, the records available and your questions. The consultation is free. Fees and case expenses are explained in a written agreement.
- Start with what you know — incident details and report number, if available
- Discuss your questions — evidence, responsibility and possible coverage
- Understand the next steps — consultation and written agreement
- Meet by phone or video — Dallas office meetings by appointment
- Clear expectations — an inquiry does not create an attorney–client relationship
100% Free Case Evaluation
Share the city, what happened and your contact details for follow-up. Start with the information you have.
Testimonials
What Real clients say
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I've been injured in a boat accident in Dallas?
If you've been injured in a boat accident in Dallas, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention for your injuries. Then, you should contact a Dallas boat accident lawyer like Nolan Ryan Law. Nolan can help you navigate the legal process and seek compensation for your injuries.
What are some common causes of boat accidents in Dallas?
Some common causes of boat accidents in Dallas include operator error, alcohol or drug use, speeding, improper boat maintenance, and bad weather conditions.
Can I sue someone if I've been injured in a boat accident in Dallas?
You may have a claim if someone else is legally responsible for the injury. If someone else's negligence caused your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
What should I do if I've been involved in a hit-and-run boat accident in Dallas?
If you've been involved in a hit-and-run boat accident in Dallas, you should immediately contact the police and report the incident. Then, you should contact a Dallas boat accident lawyer like Nolan Ryan Law.
Nolan can help you file a claim with your insurance company and pursue compensation from the hit-and-run driver if they are identified.
What types of damages can I recover in a boat accident lawsuit in Dallas?
If you've been injured in a boat accident in Dallas, you may be entitled to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.
Can I still file a boat accident lawsuit in Dallas if the accident happened a long time ago?
Many Texas injury lawsuits have a two-year period, but a maritime claim or government defendant can involve different deadlines. The waterway, vessel and parties must be checked before relying on a deadline.
If you wait too long to file a lawsuit, you may lose your right to seek compensation. It's best to contact a Dallas boat accident lawyer like Nolan Ryan Law as soon as possible after your accident.
Do I have to go to court if I file a boat accident lawsuit in Dallas?
Not necessarily. Many boat accident cases are settled out of court through negotiations between the parties. However, if a settlement cannot be reached, the case may go to trial.
How much does it cost to hire a Dallas boat accident lawyer?
At Nolan Ryan Law, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if you receive a settlement or court award. Our fees are a percentage of the compensation we obtain for you, and we offer a free consultation to discuss your case.
Can I still file a boat accident lawsuit in Dallas if I was partly at fault for the accident?
If Texas proportionate-responsibility law applies, recovery is generally available at 50% or less fault and reduced by that share. Maritime claims may follow different comparative-fault rules.
What details help Nolan review the boat incident?
Identify the lake or waterway, date, boat operator and any rental or charter company. Bring an incident number, registration details, photos and witness contacts if available. Describe whether the injury happened on the water, while boarding or at a dock; those facts help focus the review.
What should I do if an insurance company offers me a settlement for my boat accident injuries?
If an insurance company offers you a settlement for your boat accident injuries, you should consult with a Dallas boat accident lawyer like Nolan Ryan Law before accepting the offer. Insurance companies often try to settle claims for less than they are worth, and Nolan can help you determine if the offer is fair.
Can I talk to Nolan if I only know part of the boat's information?
Yes. Start with any operator name you know, the location and any photos, booking details or messages you have. You do not need to identify every insurer before contacting the firm. Tell Nolan what is missing so you can discuss the records needed next.
Civil injury fees follow a written contingency agreement, which also explains case expenses and who pays them.
Where we help: we represent injured people across Dallas-Fort Worth, including Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Irving, Garland, Grand Prairie, Mesquite and the other communities we serve. Meet attorney Nolan Ryan McConville.