High Speedboat Causes Collision, Killing Five

Austin, TX (Law Firm Newswire) September 2, 2016 – A poker run on Lake Texoma ended with a horrific crash that killed five and send one to hospital in critical condition. A poker run with boats sees each participant receiving a playing card at five different locations. The winner is the boat with the best poker hand.

The boating accident happened just before one 1 p.m. during a poker run on Lake Texoma. Eye witnesses saw a speedboat lose control and ram another watercraft just west of Willis Bridge. Five of the six people involved lost their lives. One was sent to Parkland Hospital in Dallas.

According to witnesses, both watercraft were traveling at high speeds which some estimated to be over 100 mph. The deadly collision happened when one boat was rammed in the middle by the other.

According to police responding to the accident, they were unable to determine who was in each boat as there were two individuals in one watercraft and six in the other. The accident scene was littered with boat debris from the collision, making bodies difficult to retrieve. Neither craft was intact after the impact and police were unable to determine if the two boats were participating in the poker run.

Serious boating accidents must be reported as soon as possible to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Division, particularly if someone is killed or vanishes from the boat, there is damage to property totaling more than $2,000 and/or a passenger or operator is injured and needs medical assistance beyond first aid. “Boating accident reports are inadmissible in court as evidence,” added Bobby Lee, Austin boating accident attorney, not involved in this case, “and they are also confidential.”

Despite boating accident reports being inadmissible in court, there are other ways to obtain evidence if an individual wishes to file a wrongful death lawsuit or a personal injury lawsuit.

To date, Texas has reported 13 boating-related deaths. In 2015, there were 34 recorded boating accident fatalities and over the past five years, the annual death toll has run around 30 deaths. From 1997 to 2007 almost 50 people died each year as a result of being involved in a fatal boating collision.

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Division one fact about the boating accident numbers is encouraging – personal watercraft accidents involving crafts such as WaveRunner and JetSki have dropped over the last ten years. “It used to be that personal watercraft made up 35 to 45 percent of boating accidents and numerous deaths,” Lee added. “No matter what the statistics show, boating, unless it is done with safety in mind, can be a dangerous and ultimately deadly leisure activity.”

For those involved in a boating accident, make sure to reach out and connect with a skilled personal injury attorney to handle the case. It may ensure a fair and equitable settlement or jury award.

To learn more, visit http://www.lgrlawfirm.com Lee, Gober & Reyna 11940 Jollyville Road #220-S Austin, Texas 78759 Phone: 512.478.8080