Understanding Liability After a Boating Accident
Considering the fact that the Sunshine State is a peninsula surrounded by water on three sides, it is not surprising that boating is such a popular recreational activity in Florida. However, in addition to being a popular activity year-round and especially in the warmest summer months, boating is also a potentially hazardous one. According to an article published by the Miami Times, a recent United States Coast Guard report indicates that Florida once again has the grim honor of ranking first in the nation in both recreational boating accidents and deaths on the water. There were almost 700 boating accidents in Florida last year, and almost ten percent of those were fatal and resulted in 62 deaths. This is an unwanted distinction that the state has now carried for at least five years in a row.
Causes of Boating Accidents
While you may instinctively think that most recreational boating accidents occur because of poor weather or sea conditions, many actually occur on the nicest of days because of a mistake made by a person or entity. For example, impaired driving is a problem when operating a vehicle on water just like on land and alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents.
Some of the other most common reasons for boating accidents include:
- Distracted and inattentive boat operators
- Excessively speeding
- Unlicensed and inexperienced drivers
- Machinery failure
How Florida Boating Accident Cases Work
If you experience an injury from a boating accident, it is important to understand that every accident that occurs on water does not warrant a personal injury claim just as every car accident that occurs on land also doesn’t. Your ability to hold the responsible parties accountable through a personal injury lawsuit will depend on whether it can be demonstrated that your injury resulted from someone else’s negligent behavior or defective product. If you are able to prevail, you may be entitled to compensation in the form of medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering related to your injury.
Depending on the circumstances of your injuries, the party who should be held accountable can include any of the following:
- The boat operator
- The owner of the boat
- The company that manufactured the boat
- The company the boat was rented from
- Another passenger
The best way to determine whether a personal injury claim is a viable option after finding yourself injured in a boating accident is to reach out to a competent personal injury attorney who can take a look at the details of your case to determine who can be held liable and how you should proceed.
Allow Us to Help You Prove Liability
The most experienced personal injury legal teams understand that the accidents that occur in the water can result in injuries that are even more serious than some that occur on land. As the Miami personal injury attorneys at Payer & Associates, we can help you structure your claim in a way that maximizes your chances of obtaining the compensation you deserve. Make sure that you reach out to us today to begin.
Resource:
miamiherald.com/news/local/community/florida-keys/article243438316.htm
