South Florida boating accidents are an unfortunate reality with so many amazing waterways and boating venues to traverse. Cruising down the inter-coastal waterway, the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, or other Florida waterways is a fun and relaxing activity. However, it can be dangerous especially during spring break and during holidays. Boating accidents occur all too often, causing serious injury to South Florida residents and tourists and often the need for a Florida boating accident attorney in West Palm Beach.
At 24/7 Injury Law, our Florida boating accident lawyers of Fort Lauderdale handle all types of boating accident cases, from overboard injuries on a fishing charter boat to slip and falls on cruise ship decks. An injury lawyer from Boca Raton can help you understand your legal options and will discuss the specifics of your case so that you know what to expect.
A Florida Boating Accident Attorney in West Palm Beach Can Help You Recover Damages From Common Boating Dangers
Boating accidents happen and have happened ever since the creation of the first boat, the Canoe of Pesse. The Canoe of Pesse is the oldest boat on record, estimated to date back to 8200 B.C.
Although boating safety has improved over the years thanks to technology and better government regulation, the nature of boating makes it hazardous. According to the U.S. Coast Guard Division of Auxiliary and Boating Safety, Florida led the nation in boating fatalities in 2010 – 79 deaths were reported, nearly double the number reported by California (44), the state with the second highest fatality rate.
South Florida boating accidents frequently bring different consequences than car accidents, so make sure you’re working with more than just an injury lawyer in Boca Raton – make sure you have a Florida boating accident attorney in West Palm Beach who is familiar with these types of accidents. Some of the boating dangers that can lead to injury include:
- sinking;
- drowning;
- exploding;
- fire;
- flooding;
- capsizing;and
- disappearing.
Meanwhile, those operating of a boat have a responsibility to do so in a safe manner. Our Florida boating accident lawyers of Fort Lauderdale stress that driving a boat is similar to driving a car, you MUST drive defensively. The number one cause of boating accidents is the careless or reckless operation of the boat. Whether you are a passenger on another’s boat, or driving your own vessel, if you are injured due to another’s negligence you may be entitled to compensation for your damages with the help of a boating injury lawyer in Boca Raton.
Some of the common factors seen by Florida boating accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale that cause boating accidents include:
- driver inattention;
- excessive speed;
- driver inexperience;
- alcohol and/or drug use;
- improper lookout;
- equipment failure; and
- failure to account for poor weather conditions.
Our Florida Boating Accident Lawyers in Fort Lauderdale Understand Catastrophic Boating Injuries
A fun day out on the boat can turn tragic when negligent parties cause serious accident. Boating negligence can lead to major accidents with severe, often fatal injuries. In emotional times like these, it’s good to know you have the right to work with a knowledgeable Florida boating accident attorney in West Palm Beach.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Division of Law Enforcement, there were 431 reported injuries in Florida in 2011. That’s 47 injuries per 100,000 recreational registered vehicles.
Of these injury reports, the most common types of boating accident injuries were:
- lacerations (97);
- broken bone(s) (82);
- contusions (74);
- head injury (45);
- back injury (37);
- burns (17);
- sprains/strains (14);
- neck injury (11);
- hypothermia (10); and
- internal injuries (8).
Other less commonly reported injuries included shock, amputation, and dislocations which are also potentially serious medical cases. In 18 cases, there was no information regarding the nature of the injury. One of the benefits of working with Florida boating accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale is that they will take over the process of identifying the cause and severity of injuries, as well as the liability issues involved in your boating accident injury claim.
South Florida Boating Accidents Can Be Fatal = Talk to the Right Injury Lawyer in Boca Raton
The 2011 Boating Fatality Statistics from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission listed falls overboard as the number one cause of death in fatal boating accidents in South Florida. Of the 67 reported fatalities, 24 of them were due to falls overboard.
When you are a passenger on another’s boat you trust the operator with your safety. You expect them to provide a safe, well maintained watercraft and have the proper safety equipment – such as floatation devices – ready to handle common boating emergencies like falls overboard. Boat maintenance, safety precautions, and inclement weather assessment are all factors that our Florida boating accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale take into account when evaluating a boating accident in South Florida.
When the operator or crewmembers of a passenger vessel is negligent in their duties to passengers, serious and fatal South Florida boating accidents may occur. In cases in which an individual dies as a result of another’s negligence, the family may pursue a wrongful death claim against the negligent party with the help of an injury lawyer in Boca Raton.
Likewise, if you are a boat operator you may be able to file a claim for damages suffered from the negligence of other nearby boaters engaged in dangerous boating practices. In some cases, South Florida boating accidents are also caused by malfunctioning boat equipment or vessels. There may be a range of parties that can be held liable in a boating accident – your Florida boating accident attorney of West Palm Beach is here to help you determine who is at fault for your injuries or the death of a loved one.
Working With a Florida Boating Accident Attorney in West Palm Beach to Pursue a Claim for Damages
Just as with any case of personal injury, a lawyer in Boca Raton for boating accidents can help victims seek compensation for their injuries when they are caused by the negligence of another.
South Florida boating accidents are unique cases of personal injury that require the specific knowledge of Florida boating accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale; injuries suffered in these accidents may be more catastrophic, for instance. One of the potential reasons that injuries may be more severe is that there may be a delay in obtaining emergency medical care due to the time it may take to get a ship back to land or to get emergency personnel to the boat or ship. This can make minor injuries worse if left unattended to for a longer period of time.
Catastrophic injuries can be costly, and an injury claim may be filed with help from a boating injury lawyer in Boca Raton to recover compensation to pay medical bills and other expenses. But many boating accident victims fail to see past their initial medical bills and consider the future. The insurance companies are even less likely to take into consideration any future expenses when they try to settle your injury claim with a low initial settlement. When victims are unaware of their rights, and insurance companies turn a blind eye to their future needs, our Florida boating accident lawyers of Fort Lauderdale step up to ensure your settlement is legitimate in covering your complete range of damages.
A Florida boating accident attorney in West Palm Beach from our firm will begin working on your case by assessing both the current and long-term damages you and your family have suffered from your boating accident. Some of the types of compensation to which you may be entitled include:
- medical expenses;
- hospital bills;
- lost wages; and
- pain and suffering.
These damages do not only cover current expenses and losses, though. If your injuries will require future medical treatment and cost you more time away from work, you may also be entitled to compensation for those losses, and our Florida boating accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale will help you fight for that compensation.
In some cases, victims of South Florida boating accidents may find themselves permanently disabled. This changes the nature of a boating accident settlement, but a boating injury lawyer for Boca Raton from 24/7 Injury Law is equipped to handle such cases. A severe spinal injury, for example, could result in paralysis and chronic pain, leading to life-long suffering for which you may be entitled to compensation.
Talk to A Boating Injury Lawyer of Boca Raton Who Know the Laws
Florida boating laws and U.S. Coast Guard regulations provide protection for boat owners, operators and passengers, but it’s up to Florida boating accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale to help victims ensure their rights under these laws are upheld.
At 24/7 Injury Law we focus on the long-term repercussions South Florida boating accidents have on a family. When you have suffered the loss of a loved one or are dealing with care for serious injuries, you want a legal team of Florida boating accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale on your side that know the ins and outs of boating injury settlement negotiations.
To get started seeking a fair settlement for your damages, contact our firm. A Florida boating accident attorney for West Palm Beach from our firm will dedicate themselves to reducing the stress and worry you may have while seeking compensation for your losses. We will do what it takes to ensure your case is handled fairly and quickly.
Time is critical in a boating accident claim – you have only four years from the date of the accident within which you can take legal action. The sooner you contact 24/7 Injury Law, the sooner you can rest assured your case is being constantly monitored and handled by a trusted boating injury lawyer in Boca Raton.
Call 888-984-4878 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Florida boating accident lawyers in Fort Lauderdale, Boynton Beach, and all other South Florida cities. We know that our clients have questions about what to do after serious South Florida boating accidents, and we’re ready to answer any questions you might have.