Boating Accidents In Florida

Florida’s weather allows people to continue many of their summertime activities all year round, including boating. However, the higher number of people engaging in an activity does mean a higher percentage of accidents that occur. Boating year-round can and does happen in Tampa, and so do crashes – if you are involved in an accident, regardless of the time of year, you need to enlist an attorney so that you have a good chance to recover for your injuries.

Boating Is Not Well Regulated

Because Florida is such a boating destination and has so many residents who spend their time on the water, the state has adopted a laissez-faire type of attitude toward regulating boaters and boating. There is no age limit to operate a boat in Florida, though some of the personal safety requirements are age-specific. Operators over the age of 30 do not even require a boating license or take any kind of boating safety course. State officials do not want to create more hurdles for boaters in the state, who bring in so much money, but many wonder if the cost in injuries and fatalities is worth it.

There are several different common types of boating accidents, and while many of them involve substance use such as drugs or alcohol, a large proportion can plausibly be chalked up to simple negligence or carelessness. For example, one of the top causes for boat crashes is colliding with another vessel or a fixed object, such as a mooring post – it can reasonably be stated that most of these accidents could be avoided if both boaters were paying attention and reacting appropriately. These cases can present interesting questions on liability.

Have You Been Injured?

There are several types of injuries that can happen in a Florida boating accident, from broken bones to traumatic brain injuries and beyond, but because the types of harm that a victim can experience are so varied, the injuries they might sustain can be just as varied. Boating accidents can lead to drowning injuries or fatalities, but also blunt force trauma, burns, and electrical injuries, depending on the nature of the accident itself. If your injuries stem directly from your accident, you should be able to recover for the medical bills you incur.

It is worth noting that unlike with automobiles in Florida, no liability insurance is required for boats. This means that if you are involved in an accident, the defendant who allegedly caused your injuries may not have insurance to help pay off your bills. One might expect that boats would fall under the state’s no-fault system, which applies to car crashes, but this is not the case. A personal injury suit is often your best chance to recover for your injuries, but it can be quite difficult to do it alone.

Contact A Tampa Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Boating is an enjoyable activity for countless Floridians and visitors, but it can be dangerous if not done responsibly. If you have been injured in an accident with another boater, calling an experienced Tampa personal injury attorney should be your first step toward seeking the compensation you deserve. Call the Rinaldo Law Group today for a free consultation.

Resource:

flhsmv.gov/motor-vehicles-tags-titles/vessels/boating-safety-education/

https://www.tampainjuryaccidentlaw.com/invisible-injuries-are-still-debilitating/