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At MLG Injury Law – Accident Injury Attorneys, our boat accident lawyers in Florida understand that the over 961,000 vessels that are registered in our state at used for far more than recreational weekends on the water.
With over 1,350 miles of coastline, a vast river system, and approximately 7,800 lakes ranging from small to the nation’s fourth-largest the 448,000-acre Lake Okeechobee — locals, visitors, and tourists enjoy Florida’s waterways by boat year-round, and our economy counts on it.
Fishing boats, charters, privately owned vessels, and large tour and ferry boats all provide a valuable service when they are operating safely.
Unfortunately, negligence is just as likely to occur on the water as it is on our roadways. When our residents are injured because of boater negligence, our personal injury attorneys in Florida are here to help pursue the liable party for their financial recovery.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 723 boating accidents were reported on our waterways last year, and not surprisingly, alcohol use was the leading known factor in fatal boating accidents accounting for 23% of all boat-related fatalities over the same period.
Other common causes of boat accidents in Florida include:
According to the United States Coast Guard, the most common vessels involved in accidents are motorboats, personal watercraft, and cabin motorboats.
However, the highest percentage of fatalities, accounting for nearly half of the deaths reported on our Florida waters, were on open motorboats, kayaks, and personal watercraft.
If you have been injured in a boating accident in Florida including those on jet skis or other watercraft – or have tragically lost a loved one in a boating accident, contact our experienced personal injury lawyers in Florida today to learn more about your rights and options in holding the negligent party liable for your financial recovery.
Partnering with a skilled Florida boat accident attorney will allow you to examine each aspect of your collision and the resulting injuries to identify the liable person or parties who can be held accountable for your financial recovery based on their negligent roles in the collision.
Our experienced personal injury lawyers in Florida will thoroughly investigate your boat accident to determine who is responsible.
That may include:
Like vehicle accidents, it is often the boat’s operator who is responsible for the injuries that occur inside and outside their vessel.
It is the captain’s responsibility to ensure the boat is running properly, that it does not exceed the maximum occupancy, and that all laws and safety protocols are followed.
When speeding, alcohol use, or distractions interrupt the operator’s ability to properly run the vessel on our Florida waterways, people are going to get hurt, or even killed.
Sometimes the boat owner is not the person operating the vessel when an accident occurs, but that does not shield them from liability. When boat owners allow passengers onboard an improperly functioning vessel or allow a negligent operator to drive their boat, they may be responsible for the injuries that result from an accident.
Charter companies are the heart and soul of Florida’s boating economy, whether they are fishing charters, catamarans, or powerboats, rental companies are providing services that allow guests to venture out onto the open sea either with an appointed captain or on a bareboat, where the guests are responsible for the vessel’s operation.
When an accident occurs because of the rental company’s negligence, which can be a captain who is under the influence, allowing inexperienced individuals to operate a vessel, or renting boats that are not functioning properly, the company may be held liable for the accident and injuries that result.
Design and manufacturing defects can cause boat accidents that are out of everyone on board’s control, but that lead to severe injuries or even death on our Florida waterways.
Each of these potentially liable parties will be investigated by our experienced boat accident attorneys in Florida, so no detail is left to chance while we pursue your personal injury claim for the best outcome available for your unique circumstances.
If you or someone you love was injured during a boat accident in Florida, contact our experienced Florida boat accident attorneys at MLG Injury Law – Accident Injury Attorneys to schedule a free consultation today by calling (786) 206-8807 to learn more about your financial recovery opportunities.