Facts About Boating Accidents in Florida You’ll Never Forget
Bright sunshine and great weather equals fun in the water. Florida is home to many warm, sandy beaches and the ocean, which means there are a lot of opportunities to enjoy some boating.
As a result of the many boats in the water, it’s probably no surprise to learn that Florida leads the nation in the number of boating accidents each year.
Although boating can be an excellent way to soak up the sun and get some recreation time in, you might find yourself with critical injuries in the event that someone’s negligence leads to a critical boating accident.
Visit here to find out how a Boca Raton boat accident attorney can help you to determine what legal options you may have available to you after a boating accident in Florida.
Start with the Facts…
In 2013, for example, Florida was home to 685 boating accidents. The next closest state behind Florida was California with 426 accidents. That being said, the number of registered vessels between California and Florida is relatively close, with just over 870,000 in Florida and 820,000 in California.
Read more facts on boating accidents in Florida here.
License to Boat?
Some of the primary reasons for boating accidents in Florida have to do with lack of awareness. Many people do not realize the danger posed by watercraft. Many people out on the water could lack a basic understanding of the rules and protocols associated with boating. This means that even if you are aware of the safety requirements, an uneducated boater could still end up in a crash.
Although education about water safety might seem to be one easy answer as far as minimizing boating accidents, many states do not require too much in the form of boating safety.
In fact, Florida does not require boating or yachting instruction. The state also does not limited mandatory instruction to boaters under particular ages or with regard to vessel sizes and lengths. What this means is that an an inexperienced boater can end up behind the controls, putting everyone else on the water at risk.
How to Stay Safe on the Water
There are other safety precautions also behind the causes of Florida boating accidents, such as improper use or lack of use of life jackets. Likewise, the increased popularity of kill switches, which allow watercraft to be shut off immediately if an operator is thrown from the vessel, are not always utilized.
There are many different kinds of boats in Florida that can be involved in an accident, which includes:
- Kayaks
- Sailboats
- Yachts
- Tenders
- Airboats
- Cabin cruisers
- Personal watercrafts like Jetskis
- Inflatable boats
Common Causes of Boating Accidents
Going out on the water at all carries an inherent set of risks, but boating injuries can be caused by a number of things. Many people learn all too late that the combination of open water and heavy machinery can be a dangerous one, especially for accidents involving:
- Contact with propellers
- Operating a boat at high speeds
- Hitting wakes or waves at risky angles
- Failing to watch the passenger while tubing or skiing behind the watercraft
- Not following navigational rules when passing or coming near other boats
- Being ejected from a boat as a result of unsafe operation or trying to boat in inclement weather
- Defective boat design
- Overcrowding on the watercraft
What to Do If You Were Injured in a Boating Accident
Have you already been injured in a boating accident? If your injuries were due to an operator’s negligence, then you might be entitled to file a lawsuit to receive compensation. If successful, the compensation you receive may help with your lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
The law regarding whether or not you are entitled to file claims for compensation has to do with whether or not you were a guest of or employed by the boat or yacht owner.
Violations of recreational or navigational requirements, too, could play an important part in demonstrating that the boat owner or operator in question is liable for your injuries.
Get Your Feet Wet with a Boating Accident Attorney
You should not assume that a boating accident case is like any other kind of personal injury case. You need a Boca Raton boating accident attorney who can tell you more about the specifics of your case and help you move on effectively from an unfortunate—and painful—accident.
Visit here to learn how a Boca Raton boat accident attorney can help you.
