Boating Accident Attorney
What is a boating accident? They are accidents occurring on or with a boat. It does, however, cover a wide range of different incidents and vessels, from sailing boats to speedboats to personal watercraft (jet skis) to even hovercraft. Catching another vessel or striking an obstacle, such as a reef or a pier, are the most common forms of incidents.
When a wreck occurs on a lake or river it is likely to be protected by local and state regulations. So if your boating accident occurs at sea, it's going to come under maritime law . This is a highly complicated federal law sector which is why consulting with an attorney is your best bet. The justification for the application of maritime law is that the coastal waters belong to the United States as a whole, not individual states.
If a boating accident meets certain criteria, it must be reported to the Coast Guard. These criteria include:
- If a life is lost
- If there is substantial injury requiring treatment beyond first aid
- If someone goes missing, and there is reason to believe they were killed or injured
- There is total loss of a vessel
- The damage caused in the accident is at least $2,000
Only one of these requirements must be met before a report must be filed.
Take the pressure off yourself and let someone experienced in handling such matters assist you. Call our offices now for a FREE consultation with an experienced attorney or any member of our legal team.
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Collisions due to drinking while operating
Alcohol use has caused 277 collisions, 248 injuries and 108 deaths nationwide in 2014. Florida regulation requires that running a water vessel with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or more is illegal. It can be a fatal mistake, however, to run a boat with some alcohol in your system.
Top Reasons for Boating Accidents:
Operator Inattention
Equally important to paying attention to details before you cast off is paying attention while you’re on the water—both to your vessel and your surroundings. This means avoiding all distractions!
Distracted boating can be as dangerous as distracted driving. "In fact, increased vessel operators' use of personal electronic devices is such a growing issue that "Eliminating Distractions" landed at the top of the U.S. The 2019 -2020 Most Desired List of Transportation Safety Enhancements by National Transportation Safety Board.
Improper Lookout
Both boaters know that the water is full of distractions. As a skipper, it is your duty to check your surroundings continuously to make sure there is nothing that will hinder your path. That means keeping your eyes and ears open to observe or hear something that can put you / your passengers in danger or affect your / their safety. "Keep your head on a swivel,". “Lookout for bridge clearances and power lines, buoys, swimmers, floating debris and diver flags. Prior to altering course look all around, as you may have another boat overtaking you.”
Mechanical Failure
According to U.S. Coast Guard statistics, 414 accidents and 114 injuries occurred due to mechanical failure in 2017. A faulty battery, for example, could mean your boat won’t start, and if this happens at night, your lights won’t work either. As a result, you, your passengers, and your boat are left stranded, helpless and practically invisible.
Operator Inexperience
“When it comes to boating, it’s very easy to get excited and simply cast off the lines and head for a destination. Boating in bodies of water like bays and sounds also provide a false sense of security. You can generally see land all around you, so what could possibly go wrong? The answer is—a lot!” Get educated before you cast off.
