boating accidents
FLORIDA BOATING ACCIDENT LAWYER
South Florida is home to some of the greatest recreational boating in the country. With nearly one million registered vessels within our state borders, our waterways, national parks, and of course our beautiful ocean coastline bring together local boaters and visitors from around the world. The dark side of our boating culture is that Florida far and away leads the country in both total fatalities and accidents. At Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, our Florida boat accident lawyers have been representing injured plaintiffs across South Florida since we opened for business in 1927, and we will bring our experience to bear in fighting for you and your family’s full recovery in your boating accident claim.
Common Factors Involved in Florida Boating Accidents
According to the most recent study released by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the most common causes of boating-related accidents in Florida are:
- Alcohol use
- Excessive speed
- Carelessness/inattention
- Operator inexperience
- Passenger behavior
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The most common injuries associated with boating accidents in Florida are lacerations, contusions, broken bones, head injuries, back injuries, sprains/strains, and internal injuries. While some boating injuries may not cause lasting damage, certain serious and catastrophic injuries – such as head and spinal injuries – can be life-altering and require decades of medical attention and rehabilitation.
Have You been Injured
in a boating accident?
Potential Defendants in a Boating Accident Case
Florida has abolished the common law rule of joint and several liability, which previously allowed a plaintiff to recover all of his or her damages from a single defendant when multiple parties were at fault. Therefore, it is critical to work with an lawyer who can bring all the responsible parties into court in your boating accident claim so that you can obtain full recovery. Such parties can include:
- A tour company or resort operating a boat
- The negligent operator of the boat, whether you were a passenger, swimmer, or passenger or operator of another boat
- The employer of any negligent operator or other individual causing a boat accident
- The manufacturer or seller of a defective boat or defective boat part
Boat Accident Lawyers Working for Your Recovery
If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident in the West Palm Beach, Stuart, or Boca community, contact the boating accident lawyers at Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith. Schedule a free consultation with one of our West Palm Beach boat accident lawyers today.
Winning Your South Florida Boating Accident Claim
At Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, our lawyers have decades of experience in bringing and winning boating accident claims. We will use our extensive knowledge of the boating industry, and boating practices to conduct an investigation of the accident scene – including examination of the vessels involved, working with eyewitnesses and expert witnesses, and so on – to put together your strongest case for recovery against all liable defendants.
In many boating accident scenarios, defendants and insurers may pressure an injured victim into accepting a small settlement or waiving their rights to pursue legal remedies against the parties who injured them. Do not sign any agreements or accept any settlements without speaking to an lawyer who represents only your interests. Even if you have signed some sort of documents related to the accident, your claim may not be barred and we will work with you to understand your legal options.