Florida Boating Accident Lawyer

With 985,005 registered vessels, Florida leads the nation in the number of boats and personal watercraft vessels, so it is not surprising that it also leads in number of boating accidents. Despite enhanced educational and enforcement efforts geared toward preventing boating accidents, the number of boating accidents is actually increasing each year. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there were 836 reportable boating accidents in 2020, up from 723 in 2019.

Unfortunately, many of these accidents result in serious injuries. Last year alone, 534 people were hurt in Florida boating accidents, some suffering broken bones, head injuries, spinal cord injuries and other serious internal injuries. Of the 534 injured individuals, 79 lost their lives, many by falling overboard and drowning.

If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a Florida boating accident, you may be having difficulty handling the emotional trauma, physical pain and financial concerns many accident victims face. The Florida boating accident attorneys at Dennis Hernandez understand these problems and want to help you and your family get through this difficult time. We have years of experience helping people injured in accidents in Florida and want to help you achieve the justice and the compensation you deserve for your injuries and anguish.
 

What Kinds of Boating Accidents Occur in Florida?

With 8,346 miles of Atlantic and Gulf shoreline, as well as numerous bays, sounds, lakes and rivers, it is easy to understand why so many people own and rent watercraft vessels in Florida. From large yachts to kayaks and jet skis, watercraft vessels provide a year-round recreational activity for the state’s residents and tourists alike.

Unfortunately, accidents occur among all types of watercraft vessels in all bodies of water. Section 372.02 of the Florida Statutes suggests the broad range of accidents that occur in Florida by defining a boating accident in general terms as “ a collision, accident, or casualty involving a vessel in or upon, or entering into or exiting from, the water.” According to the statute, boating accidents include collision, capsizing, sinking, personal injury, death, disappearance, or property damage to a vessel or dock.

The Division of Law Enforcement of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which is responsible for proactive boating safety law enforcement and education in Florida, reports that the most common type of accident is a collision with another boat or personal watercraft vessel.  Boaters falling overboard is consistently the leading type of fatal boating accident, and drowning is the leading cause of death. Other types of Florida boating accidents include towed watersport activities, such as water skiing or tubing, and paddle or human powered watercraft, such as kayaks, canoes, rowboats and paddleboards.
 

What Kind of Injuries Do Boating Accidents Cause?

Boating accident victims suffer many different types of injuries, depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident. Drowning is the most common fatal injury, but other serious injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Head injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Lung injuries
• Broken bones

Many of these injuries occur due to collisions with other vessels or with objects such as docks or rocks. During these collisions, multiple injuries can occur. People on personal watercraft vessels, such as jet skis, or those being towed on skis or tubes are especially vulnerable to serious collision-related injuries.
 

How Can a Dennis Hernandez Florida Boating Accident Lawyer Help Injured Victims?

If you or a family member has been seriously injured or killed in a Florida boating accident, you may be able to take legal action against the negligent boater/vessel operator who caused the accident and obtain substantial compensation for the damages you suffered. The Dennis Hernandez Florida boating accident attorneys have years of experience helping victims of boating accidents and want to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

Under Florida law, people who operate boats or personal watercraft vessels negligently and recklessly can be held liable for damages. This includes those who operate vessels while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, as well as those who do not follow standard boating safety precautions. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, it is also possible that a reckless boater caused your accident without being involved in a collision.

Your Florida boating accident attorney will thoroughly investigate the boating accident to determine the at-fault party or parties and cause of the accident. Furthermore, we will:

• Gather the evidence necessary to demonstrate liability
• Determine whether the boat owner or boat rental company has insurance and could be liable for negligently trusting a boat or personal watercraft vessel to someone with no boating experience or training.
• Work with medical experts to demonstrate the full extent of your injuries and future health care needs
• Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies for the settlement you deserve
• Be well prepared to fight in court for your legal rights and the compensation you deserve for the damages you suffered.

 

What Financial Compensation Can Florida Boating Accident Victims Obtain?

The Dennis Hernandez Florida boating accident attorneys are experienced negotiators and litigators who know the tactics insurance companies use to limit payments to accident victims. We will not back down and settle for less than you deserve, possibly including compensation for your:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Diminished capacity to enjoy life
• Current and future medical and care expenses
• Lost income
• Decreased or lost earning capacity
• Damaged property
• Other damages recoverable under Florida law

 

Get Legal Help from an Experienced Florida Boating Accident Attorney

A Dennis Hernandez Florida boating accident attorney will work diligently to make sure you are compensated fairly and fully for your injuries. We assure that all the evidence to demonstrate negligence is gathered in a timely manner, and we negotiate aggressively with insurance companies on your behalf. We build your case to demonstrate your need for compensation for physical, emotional, and financial damages caused by the boating accident.

Some Florida accident lawyers will try to settle early with insurance companies to avoid going to trial, but we never back down. We will put our extensive resources, knowledge and trial experience to work fighting in court, if necessary to obtain the compensation you deserve. Working with a Dennis Hernandez accident attorney means getting top-notch support and advocacy throughout the entire legal process.

Call us at 855-LAW-DENNIS or fill in the FREE CASE EVALUATION form on our website to get started on your case.