Boat accident near San Antonio: who takes the report and how long you have

San Antonio has no big lake of its own, so most boat crashes happen at nearby lakes. Report one to a game warden, local police or Texas Parks and Wildlife within 30 days if anyone needed more than first aid. Call (800) 792-4263. You generally have 2 years to sue in state court.

Last checked November 9, 2026 · Official sources (24)

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Road map of the San Antonio area showing Stuart Road and Calaveras Park, southeast of the city
Boat crashes with an injury must be reported within 30 days. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Where do boat accidents happen near San Antonio?

At lakes outside the city, plus the River Walk. Calaveras Lake and Braunig Lake are owned by CPS Energy, and the parks around them list boating. Calaveras Park is off Stuart Road about 20 miles southeast of San Antonio and has two paved boat ramps.

Medina Lake is about 40 miles northwest, in Bandera and Medina counties. Its level can change by up to 40 feet with rainfall, which moves hazards around. Canyon Lake, in Comal County, is another common trip. Where the water sits decides which county sheriff and court you deal with.

River Walk barges run under a city concession contract with Go Rio San Antonio, LLC. A barge injury can involve the operator, the city's contract and the barge company's insurance.

Who do you report a boat accident to near San Antonio?

Texas law requires a report if the crash caused a death, a missing person, injury beyond first aid or damage over a set amount. The operator has 30 days to report it to a game warden or officer. TPWD takes reports at (800) 792-4263, or at (512) 389-4848 around the clock.

Bexar County has six game wardens. The San Antonio Regional Office is 210-348-7375, and the Sheriff's Office is 210-335-6010. On a lake in another county, call that county's warden.

RuleTexasFederal
Injury beyond first aidReport within 30 daysReport within 48 hours
Other reportable crashes30 days10 days
Property damage triggerOver a set amount$2,000 or a lost boat
If the operator can't fileNot stated hereThe owner files

How long do you have to sue after a boat accident in San Antonio?

Generally 2 years in Texas courts. Boat crashes on navigable waters can be maritime cases, with a 3-year federal deadline. The boat owner can ask a court to cap liability at the value of the vessel, and has 6 months after a written claim to do it. So send claims in writing and keep proof.

If a government body was involved, written notice is due in 6 months. Texas also bars recovery if you are more than 50 percent at fault.

How dangerous is boating in Texas?

Nationally the Coast Guard counted 556 deaths and 2,170 injuries in 2024. Those are national numbers, not San Antonio's. I could not find a Bexar County count.

What should you do after a crash at Calaveras or Medina Lake?

  1. Get everyone to care. University Hospital is the Level I trauma center for adults and children.
  2. Get the other operator's name, boat registration and insurer, and the written vessel identification the law requires.
  3. Call a game warden or TPWD, and ask for the case number.
  4. Photograph the boat, the water, the weather and any damage before repairs.
  5. Ask a lawyer who handles boat cases about maritime rules before you sign anything.

Questions

Does the park or lake owner share blame?

Possibly, if a ramp, dock or hazard they controlled caused the crash. CPS Energy owns Calaveras and Braunig. A claim against a government body needs notice in 6 months.

Do I need to report a crash with no injuries?

Only if damage passes the set amount. Federal rules use $2,000 or a lost boat.

What if a child was hurt?

The state clock does not run while the child is under 18. The 6-month government notice does not pause.

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Sources (24)

  1. Tex. Parks & Wild. Code 31.105, checked 2026-11-09. “injury to a person that requires medical treatment beyond the provision of first aid”
  2. Tex. Parks & Wild. Code 31.105, checked 2026-11-09. “Not later than the 30th day after the date of an incident to which this section applies”
  3. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, checked 2026-11-09. “or call TPWD at: (800) 792-4263(GAME) (512) 389-4848 (24-hour dispatch)”
  4. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003, checked 2026-11-08. “not later than two years after the day the cause of action accrues”
  5. Tex. Parks & Wild. Code 31.104, checked 2026-11-09. “identification of his vessel in writing to any person injured”
  6. 33 CFR 173.55, checked 2026-11-09. “Within 48 hours of the occurrence if a person is injured and requires medical treatment beyond first aid, or disappears from a vessel”
  7. 33 CFR 173.55, checked 2026-11-09. “the owner shall submit the casualty or accident report”
  8. 46 U.S.C. 30106, checked 2026-11-09. “a civil action for damages for personal injury or death arising out of a maritime tort must be brought within 3 years after the cause of action arose”
  9. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 101.101, checked 2026-11-08. “not later than six months after the day that the incident giving rise to the claim occurred”
  10. CPS Energy, checked 2026-11-09. “Braunig and Calaveras Lakes and their nearby parks, which are owned by CPS Energy, offer a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities, including fishing, boating”
  11. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Calaveras Lake, checked 2026-11-09. “Located off Stuart Road approximately 20 miles southeast of San Antonio”
  12. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Medina Lake, checked 2026-11-09. “Large fluctuations, up to 40 feet, based on area rainfall”
  13. City of San Antonio, Council file 19-8746, checked 2026-11-09. “Downtown San Antonio River Barge Concession Contract with Go Rio San Antonio, LLC”
  14. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Game Wardens, checked 2026-11-09. “Sheriff's Office: 210-335-6010 San Antonio Regional Office: 210-348-7375”
  15. 33 CFR 173.55, checked 2026-11-09. “Within 10 days of the occurrence or death if an earlier report is not required by this paragraph.”
  16. 33 CFR 173.55, checked 2026-11-09. “Damage to vessels and other property totals $2,000 or more or there is a complete loss of any vessel”
  17. 46 U.S.C. 30523, checked 2026-11-09. “shall not exceed the value of the vessel and pending freight”
  18. 46 U.S.C. 30529, checked 2026-11-09. “The action must be brought within 6 months after a claimant gives the owner written notice of a claim.”
  19. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.001, checked 2026-11-08. “a claimant may not recover damages if his percentage of responsibility is greater than 50 percent”
  20. U.S. Coast Guard, checked 2026-11-09. “Fatalities fell 1.4% to 556 from 564 in 2023”
  21. U.S. Coast Guard, checked 2026-11-09. “Nonfatal injuries increased 2.1% from 2,126 to 2,170.”
  22. University Health, Trauma Care, checked 2026-11-08. “verified by the American College of Surgeons as both a Level I trauma center and a Level I pediatric trauma center”
  23. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.001, checked 2026-11-08. “the time of the disability is not included in a limitations period”
  24. Martinez v. Val Verde County Hospital District (Tex. 2004), checked 2026-11-09. “The lower courts held that it is not,[2] and we agree.”

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