Boating, Watercraft Accidents and Injuries

Florida has over 1,350 miles of ocean shoreline and 11,000 miles of rivers, streams and intricate waterways on which recreation lovers can enjoy all sorts of water sports. With over 900,000 boats registered in Florida and approximately 400,000 boats registered in other states using Florida’s waterways, boating accidents happen. Not surprisingly, the United States Coast Guard reports that each year there are more than 8,000 boating accidents resulting in more than 4,000 serious injuries and 800 deaths.

The operator of a boat and its’ owner has a duty to exercise a reasonable degree of care in order to prevent injuries to passengers in the boat and swimmers or others in the water or boats around them. The most common boating accidents are collisions with other boats, slip and falls on the boat, sinking and boat disappearance. Boating injuries usually occur because of a reckless or careless operator, boat malfunctions or an inexperienced operator.

Although most boating accidents occur due to the boat operator's negligence or recklessness, some boating accidents are caused by a defect of the boat itself. In 2002, for example, 282 boating accidents occurred due to some type of failure of either the boat's machinery or its hull. When an injury results because of a defective or dangerous condition of a boat, the injured person may have a products liability case against the manufacturer of the boat.

If you have been injured in a boat accident or suffered an injury while engaged in other water sport activities, our experienced personal injury attorneys can help. Call us today for a free case evaluation to discuss your situation and go over the options available. We will work with insurance companies and other parties involved to make sure all your needs are handled quickly and appropriately.