The Florida coastline consists of both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico that stretches an unbelievable 8,400 miles. It also has more than 30,000 lakes that cover more than 3 million acres and nearly 30,000 miles of rivers. All of that water makes enough room for more than 920,000 boats in the state. All of that water and all of those boats makes for boating accidents, injuries and fatalities, though.
Some Common Causes of Boating Accidents
Injuries and deaths from boating accidents are complicated claims. A boat accident attorney in West Palm Beach, FL, can successfully handle such claims and lawsuits. Here are examples of some of those claims:
- Crashing into objects or large waves
- Going on the water during adverse weather conditions
- Overcrowding or overloading a boat
- Collisions with other watercraft
- Failure to carry proper safety equipment aboard a boat
- Boat explosions
- Drownings
The Applicable Law
A careless and negligent operator of a watercraft can be held liable for personal injury damages. Victims of boating accidents are eligible to file personal injury lawsuits and seek compensation for the damages that they suffered. Florida law might apply if an accident occurs at or near the coastline. Federal maritime law is likely to apply farther away from shore. Only an experienced and effective boating accident attorney is capable of sorting out which set of laws might apply to an accident.
The “rules of the road” in boating accidents are different than those involving motor vehicle accidents occurring on Florida’s roadways. You may be eligible for compensation for the injuries and damages that you suffered in a boating accident. You can learn more about whether you’re eligible for compensation for your injuries and damages by contacting our boat accident attorney West Palm Beach, FL, by contacting Janssen, Siracusa & Keegan.
