Coral Springs Boating Accident Attorney

How Can a Coral Springs Boating Accident Attorney Help You

With thousands of miles of coastline, beaches, and inland waterways, South Florida is home to more recreational boats than any other state, with over 944,000 vessels registered in 2017.

But with so many people on the water, it also means that Florida has more boating accidents than any other state—often tragic accidents that could have been avoided if it weren’t for negligent, careless, or reckless behavior. A day of drinks on the boat always sounds like fun, until someone gets hurt.

Florida Boat Accident Statistics

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission maintains active statistics on boating accidents and cited 766 boating accidents statewide in 2017. Nearly a third of these involved a collision with a vessel.

There were 61 fatal accidents and an additional 437 injuries. 74% percent of watercraft involved in fatal accidents were smaller vessels of no more than 21 feet in length, and the number one cause of death in a boating accident was drowning.

How Florida Boating Accidents Happen

Some of the most common causes of boating accidents with injuries in South Florida include:

Operator distraction

Not paying attention to the duties of piloting a craft is one of the biggest causes of boating accidents in South Florida.

Improper lookout

Failure to have a designated lookout to keep an eye on the craft’s surroundings leads to collisions and other accidents in South Florida.

Alcohol or drug use

Almost a quarter of all fatal boating accidents in Florida involved drugs or alcohol. Did you know that you can get a DUI on a boat in Florida?

Operating any type of watercraft while intoxicated is extremely dangerous and puts both passengers and other vessels at serious risk of death.

Inexperienced operators

67% percent of the watercraft operators who were involved in fatal boating accidents in Florida received no formal education in boating safety prior to the accident resulting in injuries.

Disobeying rules of the water.

Violating navigational rules or other good practices of safe watercraft operation often leads to tragedy, including injuries in boating accidents.

Compensation for Florida Boating Accident Injuries

When innocent victims are injured by negligence in a boating accident, they may be able to seek compensation for financial recovery. A personal injury lawsuit allows victims to receive damage awards for expenses such as:

• Emergency medical treatment
• Follow-up doctor appointments
• Physical therapy or rehabilitation
• Skilled nursing assistance or other long-term care needs
• Convalescence or nursing home expenses
• Lost wages from time spent away from work
• Loss of future wages if the victim can’t work at all

Victims of boating accidents are also often eligible to receive compensation for the pain and suffering or mental anguish they endured as a result of their injuries. In certain situations, an additional financial award for punitive damages may also be granted. Every accident situation is unique, so it’s important to consult with a personal injury attorney to determine your eligibility for this type of compensation.

What Factors Can Affect My Boating Accident Case?

The value of a settlement depends entirely on the specifics of your case. After doing a thorough case examination, we will be able to provide you with a more accurate assessment. However, the full extent of your losses and liabilities cannot be known without a comprehensive investigation of the facts.

Some factors that may affect the value of your case:

• Severity of your injuries
• Amount of time missed at work
• Medical prognosis
• Your liability
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering

Accidents involving severe injury or wrongful death generally result in more significant awards. Our legal team will work to try and identify all potential recovery sources from insurers and third parties. In some cases, we may use experts to assist in calculating and proving potential losses so that you get the full amount you are owed under Florida Law.

Determining If the Other Boat Operator Acted Negligently

If a boat operator injures a person or damages property while maneuvering a vessel, the victim or property owner may have a negligence claim against them. In most personal injury cases, negligence is the cause of action when one party engages in reckless conduct that causes you harm.

Typically, when someone sues a boat operator for injuries, the lawsuit would be a negligence action. In order to prove negligence, your Coral Springs boating accident attorney must establish a few facts:

• Fact 1 – The other boat operator owed you a general duty of care
• Fact 2 – They breached their general duty of care by acting negligently
• Fact 3 – Their negligent actions caused your injuries
• Fact 4 – Your injuries resulted in financial losses (also called “damages”)

It is critical to demonstrate these facts in order to prove negligence after an accident. At Rosenberg Law Firm we will work tirelessly to isolate each fact and preserve supporting evidence that confirms what happened on the day of your accident.

How Rosenberg Law Firm Helps After an Accident

Boating accidents often result in severe injuries and wrongful deaths. Depending on the severity of your injuries, recovery time may be considerable. By hiring Rosenberg Law Firm to represent your case, you will have a legal professional handling every detail of your case from start to finish so that you can focus on your physical health for the fastest possible recovery.

Our Coral Springs boating accident attorney will deploy one of several possible strategies, including:

• Accident investigations
• Locating eyewitnesses
• Obtaining all accident reports
• Working with experts
• Documenting financial losses
• Negotiating with insurers
• Pursuing your case in civil court (if you decide)

We will manage every aspect of your case throughout the entire negotiation process. Our objective is to make your situation as easy and straightforward as possible. At Rosenberg Law Firm we will take the time to answer your questions as they arise and will always carry out your wishes.

Have You Been Injured In A Florida Boating Accident? We Offer Free Consultations.

If you’ve been hurt in a boating accident you need to speak with an experienced Florida boat accident lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Coral Springs office directly at (954) 755-7803 to schedule your free consultation.

We proudly serve Florida residents including all of Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Palm Beach County and all points in between.