Mrs. López and all of the Staff that had helped us it has been an absolute pleasure. They always had an answer to our questions and treated us with respect but most of all they listened.
Alondra O.
Outstanding Attorneys and Legal Team. Lopez, Justin, and Daisy were quick to answer my questions and handled my accident case with speed and courtesy. The outcome was much better than I anticipated.
Robert R.
A huge thanks to your office for such a great experience with my case. Special thanks to Denora, Carmen, and especially Kevin for answering my many calls and questions and keeping me informed through the entire process. I’m am extremely happy and grateful with the outcome.
Kathy W.
Boating accidents can lead to serious injuries that require financial compensation. Work with our boat accident attorneys to find out what your case could be worth.
Florida boasts the longest coastline in the contiguous Unites States (approximately1,350 miles), so it comes as no surprise that Florida also leads the nation for total number of registered vessels – over an astounding 1,000,000 as of 2024, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Commensurate with that statistic is the unfortunate reality that Florida also claims the highest number of boating accidents and fatalities in the country.
In 2023, Florida experienced 659 boating accidents, leading to 59 fatalities. Key causes included collisions with fixed objects and drowning, with 83% of deaths involving operators without formal boating education. Despite Florida’s efforts, it remains the state with the highest number of boating fatalities, highlighting the need for increased boater education and safety measures to mitigate these risks. These statistics underscore the ongoing challenges in improving boating safety on Florida’s waterways (U.S. Coast Guard, 2024). These statistics focus on “reportable accidents” that result in injuries going beyond just first aid, cause a death or leave someone missing and presumed dead. Reportable accidents must also cause damage in excess of $2,000.
Causes of Boating Accidents
Just because you are on the water does not mean you assume all risks associated with activity on the water.
Florida does not require boating instruction and limits mandatory instruction for operators under a certain age, putting many people at the helm of watercraft without knowledge of the vessel and little or no understanding of the nautical “rules of the road.” This frightening reality, especially when combined with the inherent perils of the sea, often leads to accidents. There are many factors that can contribute to a boat operator’s negligence, including:
- Collisions (with other watercraft or fixed objects such as bridges and piers)
- Groundings
- Unsafe or careless operation (inattention, inexperience, not knowing navigational rules)
- Speeding
- Negligent supervision and entrustment
- Drugs and alcohol
- Insufficient boat maintenance
- Failure to have sufficient safety equipment aboard
- Contact with propellers
- Failing to keep a lookout while a guest is skiing, tubing or snorkeling
- Overcrowding or overloading
What to Do After the Boat Accident
Importantly, an operator involved in a boating accident must:
- Stop his or her vessel immediately at the scene of the accident unless the action would endanger his or her own vessel, crew, or passengers and
- Give assistance to anyone injured in the accident and
- Give his or her name, address, and identifying number of his or her vessel to the other vessel’s operator and/or owner of damaged property.
Vessel operators involved in an accident must report the accident by the quickest means possible if the accident has resulted in:
- A death or disappearance of a person or
- An injury causing a person to require medical attention beyond first aid or
- Damage to the vessel and other property of $2,000 or more.
The report of the accident must be made to:
- The Division of Law Enforcement, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or
- The sheriff of the county where the accident occurred or
- The police department of the municipality in which the accident occurred.
Failure to report an accident and failure to render aid are both criminal offenses.
Get Legal Representation Today
From paddleboards, kayaks and jet skis to sailboats, airboats, speedboats and yachts, the Lakeland boat accident lawyers at Lopez and Humphries handle personal injuries and deaths involving all types of watercraft. Our team of attorneys and professional staff will assist you in obtaining evidence, gathering the necessary proof of liability, investigating the accident and determining how injuries occurred. Our team will interview witnesses, find experts, review information from all law enforcement agencies involved, and work aggressively to build the strongest, most compelling case possible.
To receive just compensation for injuries or to pursue a wrongful death claim due to a boating accident, contact the Lakeland boat accident attorneys at Lopez & Humphries, P.A. by calling (863) 774-3573.
Citations
FWC announces benchmark of 1 million registered vessels in Florida
https://myfwc.com/news/all-news/million-boats
2023 Recreational Boating Statistics, USCG 2024 report
https://uscgboating.org/library/accident-statistics/Recreational-Boating-Statistics-2023-Ch1.pdf
