Boating Accidents
Recreational boating is a favorite pastime for many in Florida and there are so many places to do it within the state. Unfortunately, the fact that residents and visitors alike spend so much time on the water also means there is a greater chance of boating accidents to occur. When a boat collides with a swimmer, personal watercraft or another vessel, the consequences are catastrophic and wrongful death can even occur.
According to the 2019 Boating Accidents Statistical Report of Florida Fish and Wildlife, there were 723 boating accidents during the year, with 453 of those crashes resulting in injuries and 65 resulting in death. Anyone that has been injured or that has lost a loved one due to a negligent boater should call a Florida boat accident lawyer.
Common Causes of Boating Accidents
Most boating accidents involve two vessels, with collisions involving a fixed object following at a close second. Drowning and falling overboard are the leading causes of death in boating accidents throughout the state. The following are some of the most common causes of boating accidents that result in injuries or death:
- Colliding with another vessel, including water skis, jet skis, canoes, paddle boards, and kayaks
- Colliding with fixed objects, including platforms, docks, and buoys
- Colliding with swimmers
- Capsized boats
- Being struck while falling overboard
- Being struck by a loose object or debris on the deck of the boat
- Poorly maintained docks and sea walls
- Poorly maintained docks and sea walls
- Inexperienced boaters
- Intoxicated boaters
- Defective watercraft
- Lack of safety gear
- Explosions and fires
- Slip and falls while on the boat
- Failure to abide by boating safety laws
Common Boating Injuries
Boat operators owe swimmers, divers, snorkelers, and other boat operators a duty of care. Anyone operating a boat must watch the water very carefully to avoid hitting others that may be in or on the water. Boat operators that hit swimmers in the water place the person at a great risk of drowning, and this type of accident is the most common type of hit and run accident. Unfortunately, boating operators often believe that fleeing the scene is better than making sure others are okay, particularly if the other party does not have a vehicle.
The injuries most commonly incurred in boating accidents are very similar to those sustained during car accidents. Boating accidents though, are particularly dangerous because there is the added risk of drowning in a boat accident. Boating accident deaths are typically the result of drowning, trauma, cardiac arrest, and hypothermia.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
If you or a loved one were hit by a boat as a swimmer, diver, kayaker, paddle broader, snorkeler, water skier, tuber, or wakeboarder, you have the right to pursue financial compensation. Moreover, if you were hit by a boat operator who fled the scene, that person should not only be penalized in the criminal court, but your chances of winning a personal injury case are greatly increased. Call Aventis Law Firm for a free consultation to discuss all of these issues and to determine how much compensation you may be entitled to.