Lakeland Boating Accident Lawyer
The many lakes in Lakeland, Florida, and throughout Polk County offer fantastic opportunities for recreational boating, waterskiing, jet skiing, tubing, wakeboarding, and more. Avid Lakeland boaters are also a short drive from Tampa Bay and from Florida’s Gulf coast. It’s no surprise, then, that according to the 2020 Florida Boating Accident Statistical Report, there were 29,709 registered recreational water vessels in Polk County in 2020.
Unfortunately, with so many boats and personal watercraft vessels out on the water, boating accidents can occur. Statewide, Florida has over 985,000 registered vessels, more than any other state — and it is also the state with the most boating accidents in the U.S. There were 836 boating accidents reported in Florida in 2020, higher than the 723 reported in 2019.
Boating accidents often cause serious, life-changing injuries that can affect your whole family. If you or a family member has been injured in a Florida boating accident, you know how overwhelming problems associated with your injury can be. Pain from the injury, emotional stress felt by the whole family, bills for medical care, and less money coming in if you’re unable to work can all impact your well-being.
The Lakeland boating accident lawyers at the Dennis Hernandez law firm are here to help. We understand what you’re going through because we’ve been helping accident victims in Lakeland and throughout Florida for many years. We have successfully fought for justice and maximum compensation for clients injured in all kinds of accidents due to others’ negligence and welcome the opportunity to help you get compensated fairly for your boating accident injuries.
TYPES OF BOATING ACCIDENTS THAT OCCUR IN LAKELAND, FLORIDA
Lakeland residents and visitors can be injured in accidents involving vessels of any size, from yachts to kayaks and jet skis. Those who are riding personal watercraft vessels, such as jet skis, or being towed on inner tubes, may be the most vulnerable to being seriously hurt in watercraft collisions, since they do not have the protection a boat provides.
Section 372.02 of the Florida Statutes defines a “boating accident” as any “collision, accident, or casualty” that involves a vessel in, on, entering, or exiting the water. Boating accidents in Florida occur year-round but, according to the 2020 Florida Boating Accident Statistical Report, are most common in May through August, most frequently between noon and 8 p.m.
The primary cause of a large majority of the state’s boating accidents is a collision with another vessel or a fixed object, but there are many types of accidents that occur, including:
- Flooding
- Falling overboard
- Funning aground
- Capsizing
- Fire
- Explosion
WHAT TYPES OF INJURIES DO LAKELAND BOATING ACCIDENTS CAUSE?
Boating accidents can be fatal, with the most common cause of death being someone falling overboard and drowning. Other serious injuries are a common result of boating accidents, and these include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lungs injuries
- Broken or fractured bones.
Sadly, many boating accident victims have multiple injuries.
WHAT COMPENSATION CAN LAKELAND BOATING ACCIDENT VICTIMS OBTAIN?
A Dennis Hernandez Lakeland boating accident lawyer will determine the amount of financial compensation you are eligible for based on the specific circumstances of your case and will fight to get you the substantial compensation you deserve. Our lawyers are skilled negotiators and litigators who will not accept less than what is fair and just. We will fight for your rights and won’t back down.
A fair settlement or award may include compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional anguish
- Decreased enjoyment of life
- Medical expenses, both current and future
- Lost income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Other damages recoverable under Florida law
A DENNIS HERNANDEZ LAKELAND BOATING ACCIDENT LAWYER CAN HELP
Florida law requires that people who operate boats or personal watercraft vessels do so in a safe and responsible manner. If there’s a boating accident, a boating operator can be held legally responsible for injuries and damages if they caused the accident by not paying attention to where they were going, were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, were not following standard safety practices, or were otherwise negligent or reckless.
If you or a loved one were hurt in a boating accident caused by a negligent vessel operator, you may be able to bring a legal action against the operator and receive substantial compensation for your injuries and other expenses and losses that resulted from the accident. At the Lakeland offices of the Dennis Hernandez law firm, we are dedicated to helping accident victims get full and fair compensation.
We use our knowledge and years of experience with boating accident litigation to build a strong and compelling case demonstrating that the other boating operator was negligent and showing the full extent of your need for compensation for all the damages that you and your family have suffered.
LEGAL HELP IS AVAILABLE FROM AN EXPERIENCED LAKELAND BOATING ACCIDENT LAWYER
At the Dennis Hernandez law firm in Lakeland, we work hard to get you fair compensation. Using our experience, knowledge, skill and resources, we gather the necessary evidence, build a strong case showing the other vessel operator was at fault, demonstrate your full need for compensation, negotiate aggressively, and take your case to trial, if necessary.
We don’t let insurance companies get away with paying less than you deserve, and we don’t back down. We will fight for you every step of the way and provide outstanding advocacy and support.
To find out more, call us at 855.529.3366, or fill out the FREE CASE EVALUATION form on our website.