Perhaps no state in the union has more recreational boating than Florida.  Recreational boating also makes up a very large percentage of Florida’s overall tourism industry.  With its year-round beautiful weather and extensive coastal access, residents and tourists alike enjoy boating all throughout Florida.  As you can imagine, this unfortunately also leads to boating accidents, in part due to the extensive waterway traffic.  If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident then Bryan W. Crews and his staff can help.  There are laws that address maritime accidents, and it is paramount that you engage the services of a legal professional to help you navigate the complexities of personal injury law.

According to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission, there were 421 boating injuries and 67 fatalities in 2016.  In total, there were 714 boating accidents in 2016, according to the same commission.  The summer months account for the bulk of these incidents.  As you can see, safety is extremely important, and you should exercise extreme caution when on the waterways.

There is no age requirement in Florida to operate a boat.  Operators over the age of 30 are not even required to have a boating license, and they do not have to undergo safety classes.  This means that a large percentage of operators may not have any training, and some may not even have a license.  This lack of regulation, coupled with the busy waterways, can result in injury or even fatalities.  Also, because public waterways fall under federal jurisdiction, your claim may be filed in federal court.  This adds to the complexity of your personal injury claim.  The attorneys at Bryan W. Crews have decades of experience and will help guide you through the process.

Collisions with other boating vessels are the leading cause of boating accidents in Florida.  Alcohol use, being towed behind the vessel, and being thrown overboard are also examples of common boating accidents.  Other examples include flooding, grounding, fire, explosion, capsizing, striking underwater objects, sinking, and wake damage.  These accidents can occur anywhere.  One of the reasons Florida has such an abundance of recreational boating is its access to waterways.  Bays and sounds, ocean, gulf, rivers, creeks, canals, inlets, lakes, ponds, marshes, and swamps are all examples of the plethora of waterways in Florida.

Your potential recovery could include medical bills, lost wages, future wages, pain and suffering, prescriptions, property damage, or potential loss of companionship.   No two cases are the same, and an evaluation of your claim by a competent personal injury attorney will start the process of understanding the scope of your damages.  If you have not contacted an attorney yet, begin to carefully document everything you can from the date of the accident to the present.  Depending on the parties involved, you may have a claim against one or more insurance carriers.  Call 1-800-683-5291 to speak with an attorney today.