Boating Accidents
Florida Accident Injury Lawyers
Understanding Florida Boating Laws
Compared to the laws governing many other activities, Florida’s boating laws are lax. Many boat operators do not need formal training or licenses. In addition, people of any age can operate watercraft in Florida.
Not surprisingly, Florida boat accidents are common. Florida has the highest number of registered recreational boating vessels in the country and typically has a higher incidence of boat accidents than other states. Additionally, certain common personal watercraft carry higher risks of injuries for operators.
When boating accidents result in injuries or deaths, victims and their loved ones have the right to pursue compensation. Scott Marshall Injury Attorneys — the boat accident attorneys that Florida victims know and trust — has experience in Florida and federal maritime law.
Importantly, Scott Marshall has owned and operated his own boats in Florida throughout much of his life and understands the safety issues facing boaters on the lakes, rivers, the Intracoastal Waterway, and at sea.
Reasons to Hire aFlorida Boating Accident Attorney
There are many reasons to consider hiring boat accident lawyers after getting injured. First, a boat accident law firm will understand the nuances and complexities that come with navigating Florida and federal maritime laws, providing some peace of mind as you deal with the aftermath of the accident. Your attorney can handle all legal filings and will help you understand applicable time limits.
Your watercraft accident lawyer can also handle all communications with the responsible party and their insurance company. Attorneys are adept at going head-to-head with large insurers and negotiating fair settlements for clients, refusing to be bullied into accepting less than the full amount of compensation their clients deserve. In the event the liable party is unwilling to negotiate fairly, your attorney will be prepared to litigate your claim in court, fighting tirelessly for your rights.
Common Types ofFlorida Boat Accidents
In most Florida boating accidents, two or more watercrafts collide, causing property damage and injuries. However, boat accidents can take different forms. Some of the most common types of accidents boat injury lawyers encounter include:
- One watercraft collides with another
- Boat strikes an underwater object
- Passenger or employee falls on the boat
- Passenger or employee falls overboard
- Fuel fires
- Explosions
- Wake damage
- Flooding
- Grounding
- Sinking
- Capsizing
Common Causes ofBoating Accidents
Most motor vehicle operators in Florida are used to using clearly marked roadways, traffic signals and signs designed to improve safety. Unfortunately, waterways do not share these safety precautions. Boat accidents are often due to human error/negligence.
Some of the most common causes of Florida boating accidents include:
- Speeding
- Alcohol or drug use
- Reckless or careless operation of the watercraft
- Passengers behaving in an unsafe manner
- Inexperienced boat operator
- Inattentive boat operator
- Equipment failure
- Weather conditions
- Congested waterways
Common Injuries After aFlorida Boating Accident
No two boating accidents are exactly alike; the same can be said about the injuries suffered by Florida boat accident victims. In some cases, injuries are relatively minor, whereas they can be life-altering in other accident scenarios.
Common Florida boating accident injuries include:
- Lacerations
- Bruises
- Broken bones
- Near drowning
- Thermal burns
- Electrical burns
- Lung infections
- Head, neck, and spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Wrongful death
Who Is Liable for aFlorida Boating Accident?
Sometimes, identifying the responsible party after a Florida boating accident is easy. For example, an intoxicated driver whose negligence led to a collision with another boat would seem to bear liability for resulting injuries. However, it is not always that simple.
Your boat injury attorneys will work to identify all responsible parties and to gather evidence to support your claim for compensation from those parties. Boat operators may be liable, but sometimes other passengers, boating equipment manufacturers, servicing technicians, and others may be responsible for paying damages under the law.
Choose the Boat AccidentAttorneys That Florida Victims Trust
At Scott Marshall Injury Attorneys, we understand maritime laws and personal injury laws, and we know how to successfully apply those laws to accident fact patterns. Attorney Scott Marshall has helped many boat accident victims, and their loved ones recover the compensation they deserved, helping victims move on with their lives.
To learn more about how we can help, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
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