Boating Accidents
With its thriving tourist industry, Florida is the most popular state for recreational boating in the United States. Whether it's for fishing, water skiing, or just cruising around, the state's waterways are bustling with boats and other watercraft on a daily basis. However, this level of activity also means that Florida has the highest number of boating accidents in the country, which can result in serious injuries or even fatalities. If you or a loved one has been involved in a boating accident in Florida, it's important to seek legal representation from a personal injury attorney who can help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Were you or a loved one injured in a Florida boat crash?
If you or a loved one were injured in a Florida boat crash, it's important to know that specific laws apply to these types of accidents, and it's essential to contact an experienced personal injury attorney who specializes in Florida boating accidents as soon as possible.
Boating is a significant part of Florida's recreational and tourist industry, but with more regulations come more frustrations for consumers. Many boaters in Florida are not licensed or trained in boating safety, and this lack of expertise can result in severe boating accidents.
What some people may not realize, including some personal injury attorneys, is that any accident that occurs on a public waterway falls under federal admiralty jurisdiction. This means that the case can be brought into Florida's federal courts, which have different judicial procedures. Injuries sustained as the result of boat or cruise accidents are subject to a separate set of laws, and your personal injury attorney must know which standards to use when petitioning the court for compensation. For example, you may need to make a claim using the admiralty standards for negligence, not car accident standards.
After a serious boating accident, injured victims need a reliable and knowledgeable personal injury attorney to help them pursue justice and compensation. At Demesmin and Dover, our Florida boating accident lawyers have the experience and expertise necessary to help you navigate the complexities of Florida boating accident law and get the compensation you deserve.
In 2020, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported 402 boating accidents in the state. Shockingly, collisions made up a significant portion of these accidents, and 44% of them were caused by operator inattention. If you or a loved one were involved in one of these accidents, it's important to seek the help of an experienced personal injury attorney who specializes in boating accidents. At Demesmin and Dover, our skilled attorneys can assist you in pursuing the compensation you deserve.
The Primary types of Florida boating accidents include, in order of volume:
-
Collisions with other vessels
-
Collisions with fixed objects
-
Flooding
-
Falls overboard
-
Grounding
-
Fuel Fires or Explosions
-
Falls on the boat
-
Capsizing
-
Striking underwater objects
-
Wake damage
-
Sinking
In 2020, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported 402 boating accidents in the state. Shockingly, collisions made up a significant portion of these accidents, and 44% of them were caused by operator inattention. If you or a loved one were involved in one of these accidents, it's important to seek the help of an experienced personal injury attorney who specializes in boating accidents. At Demesmin and Dover, our skilled attorneys can assist you in pursuing the compensation you deserve.
The rules and speeds for boating on these waterways differ, but most accidents occur on the following, from most to least common:
-
Bays and Sounds
-
Ocean and Gulf
-
Rivers and Creeks
-
Canals and cuts
-
Inlets and passes
-
Lakes and ponds
-
Ports and Harbors
-
Marshes and Swamps
Boating accidents are a common occurrence in Florida, particularly collisions between two boats on Florida's bays and sounds. Most accidents occur during recreational cruising or fishing because boat operators are not paying attention. Allowing inexperienced boat operators to cruise down Florida's waterways can have severe consequences. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in 2020 alone, there were 402 boating accidents involving collisions, with 44% of them caused by the operator's inattention.
Unfortunately, many Florida boating accidents happen when someone operating a boat has consumed an excessive amount of alcohol. This is known as BUI (Boating Under the Influence), and it happens when someone drinks too much and can no longer operate their boat safely. A person can be found guilty of BUI if they operate a vessel while their normal faculties are impaired by alcohol or drugs or if they have a blood alcohol limit of 0.08% or more.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a boating accident in Florida, it's crucial to contact a personal injury attorney that specializes in boating accidents. At Demesmin and Dover law firm, we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve for others' negligence on the water.