Ferry Boat Accidents

We are dedicated to helping those who have been injured or affected by a catastrophic injury. You may contact us 24/7 at (832) 690-7000 for a free, confidential consultation or to schedule an appointment with us.

Best Lawyers badgeSuper Lawyers logoMillion Dollar Advocates Forum
Click for a Free Consultation
Legally Reviewed By
Michael E. Pierce

Whether it’s for work or fun, more than 8 million people ride the ferries across the Gulf waterways towards Galveston, Bolivar, Port Aransas, and Lynchburg every year. Our vast transportation system makes life easier. Yet, as with any method of transportation, accidents can and do happen. Passengers falling overboard, slip and falls, and crashes with other vessels unfortunately occur regularly.

Galveston Island offers a beautiful getaway excursion for people of all ages, including intoxicated party revelers who may crash their boat into a ferry. Earlier in 2015, Galveston Ferry operations came to a halt when the U.S. Coast Guard searched for a man who had jumped overboard. A similar incident occurred when a woman fell overboard in 2012.

Families of victims of tragedies like these need more than answers, they need support. As a passenger injured aboard a ferry, you may be wondering how to get compensation for your injuries or damaged property. Often the best asset in unexpected and life-altering boat accidents is the counsel of a maritime attorney.

The attorneys of Pierce Skrabanek have a deep understanding of maritime law. We’ve handled a wide variety of cases for injured passengers and workers in the maritime industry. If you’ve been injured in a ferry boat accident, you want dedicated legal representation. No matter the specifics of your accident, we’re available to assist you and always offer 100% free case evaluations.

NO FEES UNLESS WE WIN

Do I Have a Case?

Chat with our legal team for fast, reliable answers. 

Trusted help is just a click away.
GET A free consultation

5 Common Ferry Boat Accidents

Experts at the Worldwide Ferry Safety Association say somewhere between 800 and 1,000 die in ferry accidents annually. Although major catastrophes rarely occur in Texas, residents and visitors could be injured aboard these transportation vessels. Many factors may contribute to a ferry boat accident, but usually they are caused due to another person’s negligence.

Common causes of ferry boat accidents include:

  1. Mechanical failure – A boat that is not properly maintained has the potential to harm passengers as well as crew members.
  2. Overloaded vessels – The Galveston Ferry is strong enough to ship 18-wheelers across the Gulf. However, the slightest miscalculation in total weight of the boat could trigger a capsize event.
  3. Improper maintenance – Faulty railing can be a major contributor to overboard accidents.
  4. Adverse weather conditions – Although ferries are critical to getting residents to safety in the event of a hurricane, those same wind speeds and relentless rain could cause a vessel to crash.
  5. Operating under the influence – Whether on land or at sea, drinking and driving is a dangerous offense, punishable by law. Extensive injury, drowning and property damage is an avoidable consequence of operating a boat while intoxicated.

Staying Safe on the Ferry

One of the ways you can decrease your safety risk when riding on a ferry is by following the ferry rules established by the Texas Department of Transportation. Some rules seem obvious, such as turning off the engine and setting the parking brake. Others, such as which part of the deck you can feed the seagulls from, are not.

Rules vary slightly from port to port, but general safety tips include:

  • No smoking aboard the ferry
  • No littering or throwing trash overboard
  • Always accompany small children on the ferry deck
  • Do not sit on the rails of the vessel
  • Always follow the directions of the deck hands when driving onto the ferry
  • Do not tamper with the lifesaving equipment

A full list of rules for all Texas ferries can be found on the Department of Transportation website.

Each ferry is equipped with personal floatation devices for passengers. If an emergency should happen while onboard, it’s imperative that you follow the directions of the captain and crew. An unruly passenger behaving recklessly could be barred from riding the ferry and possibly prosecuted.

No items found.
No items found.
Contact Pierce Skrabanek for legal help.
(832) 690-7000 | www.pstriallaw.com

do you still have questions?

contact our office to speak to a lawyer.

CONTACT US TODAY

Famous Ferries of Texas

Both the Galveston-Bolivar ferry and the Lynchburg ferry have a rich Texan history. The Galveston-Bolivar ferry has been in operation since 1930, while the Lynchburg Ferry has been sailing across the Houston Ship Channel since 1888. Ferry service between Port Aransas didn’t begin until 1967. Both the Galveston and Lynchburg ferries are free to the public.

A visit to historic battle sites, such as San Jacinto battleground and Battleship Texas are easily accessible from the Lynchburg ferry, and a great way to get out of the house on a beautiful day. The Selma, a sunken experimental ship from World War I is visible on the trip to Bolivar. Sightseeing and boat tours are favorite pastimes on Galveston Island, where the ferry operates 365 days a year.

Testimonials

Read what our past clients have to say about our legal services. 

Daryl M.

5 star icon

“My experience with Mr. Skrabanek was honestly far better than all expectations that we had. He took care of us like we were family, making sure me and my wife always felt like a priority and walked us through all of the concerns that we had. If you are looking for a professional who truly cares for his clients you can stop the search. You won’t be disappointed.”

Denise J.

5 star icon

“Mike and his team helped me settle an injury claim case. I was informed and helped through every step and they were always professional and very responsive. I really enjoyed working with them.”

Victoria S.

5 star icon

“My attorney, Michael, did an amazing job with my case. He’s a straight shooter and has a vast knowledge of the law combined with an extensive amount of experience, making him a fantastic attorney. I fully recommend this firm.

Thank you Pierce Skrabenek!”

Gabriela C.

5 star icon

“Paul Skrabanek of the law firm Pierce Skrabanek was very professional and went above & beyond in handling my daughter's case. Very dedicated, worked diligently, and got justice for my family. If I could give a higher rating than 5 stars I would. Thank you and your firm for such tenacity.”

Raymond H.

5 star icon

“These guys are awesome, they were very informative from the beginning to end, working with them was super smooth, and I had all questions answered thoroughly. The whole team at this firm works to help in every way they can. They were able to get me the compensation I deserved and exceeded my expectations. If you’re ever in need of a stellar team to stand behind you and work for you, these guys are the ones you would want in your corner.

Thank you very much Paul and thank your team for me.”

Cam F.

5 star icon

“Working with Paul Skrabanek was a very positive experience. He helped me understand the legal process as someone who has never been a part of a lawsuit, and was able to get me settled quickly and painlessly! Loved working with Pierce Skrabanek law firm!”

Michele R.

5 star icon

Michael Pierce and his team, especially Krystle, were very professional, always available (even on weekends), and very knowledgeable. We appreciate their hard work on our case and the time they took to explain every detail as our case progressed. Mike is a phenomenal attorney and we highly recommend them for your legal needs.”

Beverly C.

5 star icon

“I found Mr. Skrabanek to be very trustworthy, creditable, and genuinely concerned about my well-being while I was going through this very difficult process. He showed constant concern for me being completely satisfied before making any final decisions.”

Diane T.

5 star icon

“Fantastic team of attorneys and staff dedicated to their clients. Michael Pierce is an outstanding trial attorney for personal injury cases.”

Deborah S.

5 star icon

“We watched, participated & listened to Paul Skrabanek fight for a settlement which we could be happy with. Just this month the case has been put to rest.”

Fill Out Our Form For Your Free Consultation

When to Call a Maritime Lawyer

Getting injured in a ferry boat accident can be just as confusing as it is frustrating and painful. With such a variety of passengers and vehicles on the ship at any time, the question of who is responsible for your injuries can be difficult for you alone to pinpoint. If you have lost a loved one in a ferry boat accident, you may not know where to turn to get the answers you need.

The maritime attorneys at Pierce Skrabanek can help answer questions you may have about ferry boat accidents, including how to determine who is at fault and if any compensation can be recovered. In order to uncover your legal option, we offer free, no-obligation case evaluations.

If you or a loved one has been injured aboard a ferry, please reach out to us today at (832) 690-7000, or simply use the form on this page.

Frequently Asked Questions

No items found.

We’re Here for You:
Real Results for Real Challenges

We know how tough things can get after an injury. That’s why we make your struggles our fight. With over three decades of combined experience, we’ve been the reliable allies our clients need, tackling financial hardships, physical pain, and major life changes. Our track record of successful verdicts and settlements speaks to our team’s passion and dedication to helping clients get the support and justice they need.

$11.6 Million Verdict in Catastrophic Injury Case

Served as trial counsel and obtained an $11.6 million jury verdict in a Houston, Texas case involving a worker who suffered a catastrophic injury that resulted in the loss of most of the sight in one of his eyes. The jury deliberated for only a day and a half before finding the defendant liable for designing a faulty piece of equipment that led to the injuries. The pretrial settlement offer was less than $300,000.

See More

$1.5 Million Verdict in Offshore Injury Case

Served as lead trial counsel in a case involving allegations that an offshore dispatcher physically assaulted a coil-tubing supervisor. Plaintiff claimed that the offshore dispatcher assaulted him when he returned to the dock following an offshore job. Despite the fact that multiple witnesses provided conflicting accounts of the incident, the plaintiff obtained a total settlement in excess of $1.5 million shortly before trial.

See More