Florida Boating Accidents
Florida has always been known as a boater’s paradise – thanks to its gorgeous weather, crystal clear waters, and excellent fishing spots. With over 1 million registered vessels, Florida has cemented its position as the boating capital of the world.
Unfortunately, boating accidents are alarmingly common in Florida. In 2020, a total of 804 boating accidents were reported in Florida – which was nearly twice as high as the number of boating accidents reported in states like California, Texas, and New York.
If you have been injured in a boating accident due to a third party’s negligence, the experienced Florida boating accident attorney at Shapiro Law Group can help you. We bring unmatched legal knowledge and decades of litigation experience to the table and are fully committed to providing the highest level of legal services to boat accident victims. We can protect your rights as an injury victim and fight relentlessly to get you the compensation you deserve.
Most Common Types of Florida Boat Accidents
The most common types of boating accidents reported in Florida include:
- Falls overboard
- Collisions with other vessels
- Collisions with fixed objects like bridges, docks, piers, buoys, and submerged trees and rocks
- Capsizing
- Flooding or swamping
- Falls on the boat
- Fires and explosions
- Sinking
Causes of Boating Accidents in Florida
- Operator inexperience
- Speeding
- Operator inattention
- Operating a boat recklessly or carelessly
- Operating a boat under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any prohibited substance
- Exceeding the boat’s loading capacity
- Making sharp turns at high speeds and engaging in other kinds of risky behavior
- Mechanical fault
- Allowing passengers to sit or stand on the gunwale, bow, or transom
- Operating a boat under inclement weather conditions
- Lack of safety equipment for the passengers
Types of Injuries that can Result from a Boating Accident
The most common types of boating injuries you could sustain in an accident include:
- Deep cuts and lacerations
- Contusions
- Broken bones
- Injuries to the neck, spinal cord, and back
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Injuries to internal organs – lungs in particular due to water inhalation
- Burn injuries
- Traumatic amputation resulting in loss of limbs
- Hypothermia
In case of a serious boating accident, the operator and the passengers can sustain fatal injuries as well.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Florida Boat Accident?
A skilled Florida boat accident attorney will make sure that all responsible parties are held accountable in order to maximize the plaintiff’s claim for damages. The parties that can be held liable for a boating accident in Florida include:
The Boat Operator
The boat operator can be held liable under the following circumstances: (a) If they were drunk; (b) If they were under the influence of a prohibited substance; (c) If they were talking on the phone, texting, or distracted in any other way at the time of the accident; (d) If they operated the boat in a reckless or careless manner; or (e) If they violated federal, state, or local boating laws in any way.
The Owner of the Boat
If the boat owner allowed an unqualified and inexperienced person to operate their boat, they can be held liable for the resulting damages.
The Manufacturer of the Boat
If the accident was caused by a faulty component or manufacturing design defect, the boat manufacturer can be held liable.
The Boat Rental Company
The rental company can be held liable under the following circumstances: (a) If they rented out a boat that was not seaworthy; (b) If the boat exceeded the recommended horsepower; or (c) If the boat did not have the necessary safety features and equipment.
Why You Need an Experienced Florida Boating Lawyer on Your Side
If you have sustained serious injuries and if your boat and other personal items have been badly damaged in the accident, you need a seasoned Florida boating accident lawyer on your side to be able to recover the damage you are entitled to from the at-fault party.
An experienced Florida boat accident lawyer can investigate your accident, determine the cause and the parties that can be held liable, gather evidence, get reports and testimonies from experts, and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to get you the settlement you deserve.
Depending on how serious your injuries are, you might be entitled to the following damages.
- Accident-related medical expenses
- The estimated cost of future treatment
- Cost of rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Diminished quality of life
Legal Assistance is Available from the Most Trusted Florida Boating Accident Lawyer
At Shapiro Law Group, we have a highly skilled Florida boat accident attorney whose legal knowledge, courtroom experience, and level of commitment are on par with the best legal minds in the business. If you have been injured in a boating accident, we can represent you, file a boat accident claim against the at-fault parties, and fight tirelessly to make sure you are adequately compensated for your injuries and other losses.
To discuss your case with an experienced Florida boating accident attorney, call our law firm today at (954) 376-3874 or get in touch with us online and schedule a free consultation.
