Seeking Compensation for Boating Injuries
Florida is home to more registered boat users than any other state in the country, so it is unsurprising that Florida also leads the nation in total boating accidents. Unfortunately, these accidents result in an alarming number of injuries, many of which prove to be serious. It is possible, however, to recover compensation for boating accident-related losses, so if you or a loved one were recently injured in a boating accident, it is important to speak with an experienced Fort Lauderdale cruise ship injury lawyer who can help you seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
How Common are Boating Accidents?
Known for its balmy water and beautiful coastlines, Florida is one of the most popular boating destinations in the country. Unfortunately, this means that the state also sees a high number of boating accidents. In fact, according to a recent Coast Guard report, Florida once again led the nation in boating accidents, injuries, and deaths in 2018 with 607 boat accidents, 297 injuries, 57 deaths, and as much as $7 million in property damage.
Boating Accident Injuries
Although a number of injuries can prove fatal during a boating accident, as many as three in four fatalities can be linked to drowning. Of those individuals, approximately 84 percent weren’t wearing life jackets. The types of injuries that a boating accident victim sustains also depends in large part on the type of accident in question. Propeller accidents, for instance, are much more likely to cause serious lacerations, internal injuries, and dismemberment, while run-over accidents tend to result in traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage. Overboard accidents, on the other hand, have a much higher incidence of drowning, while slip and fall accidents lead most often to broken bones and head trauma.
Although treating these types of injuries can be expensive, injured parties are often entitled to compensation for their losses, including reimbursement for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
What Causes Boating Accidents?
Boating accidents have a variety of different causes, but most can be linked to one or more of the following causes:
- Driver inattention or failure to post a look-out;
- Driver inexperience;
- Machinery or equipment failure;
- Excessive speed;
- Poor weather conditions or a lack of visibility;
- The violation of navigation laws;
- Congested waters;
- Carelessness or recklessness; and
- Alcohol use.
This type of negligent conduct can cause a wide range of boating accidents, including:
- Collisions between vessels;
- Collisions with fixed objects;
- Flooding;
- Fires and explosions;
- Grounding;
- Capsizing; and
- Falls overboard.
Of these types of accidents, collisions between vessels, collisions with fixed objects, and flooding or swamping account for more than half of all boating accidents.
Contact an Experienced Boating Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one were recently injured in a boating accident through no fault of your own, you could be entitled to damages compensating you for your losses. To discuss your case with an experienced and compassionate boating accident attorney, please contact Boone & Davis at 954-566-9919 or send us an online message today.
Resource:
wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/coast-guard-report-florida-leads-nation-again-boating-accidents-fatalities
