Boating Accidents
Boating is an immensely popular pastime in Florida. In fact, Florida is the #1 state for boat sales in the country, with $1.2 billion worth of boats sold in 2009.
Boats can also be dangerous and even deadly. Like any other motor-powered vehicle, an individual can seriously injure him or herself or others in a boat collision. Boats handle much differently from land vehicles because of the density and buoyancy of the water. Thus, many boating accidents can be attributed to inexperienced operators.
If you are injured in a boating accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for the costs associated with your injuries. Immediately following any accident, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even injuries that seem minor can become much more complicated and life-altering if they are not adequately treated in a timely manner. Once you have received medical attention, contact an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your case and explore options for obtaining monetary compensation.
Circumstances That Can Lead to Boating Accidents
There are many different circumstances that can lead to boating accidents. Some of these circumstances are as follows:
- Failing to obey traffic suggestions and channel markers;
- Speeding in speed-regulated waterways;
- Operating a boat or other watercraft while under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
- Failure to yield to a boat that has the right of way;
- Overloading a boat with passengers or equipment;
- Crashing into rocks, sandbars, bulkheads, or other obstacles in the water; and
- Failing to properly maintain one’s boat or watercraft.
Victims of boating accidents can suffer from injuries such as sprains, broken bones, fractures, concussions, and bruises. These can lead to greater issues, such as paralysis, disability, and death.
Filing Your Personal Injury Claim
In Florida, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is four years from the date of the accident. Once these four years pass, you are no longer entitled to seek monetary compensation for your injuries’ costs.
After choosing a personal injury attorney to work with, he or she will file your claim with the responsible party’s insurance provider. He or she might have to prove that the other party’s negligence or recklessness caused the accident. If you are determined to be partially responsible for the accident, the amount of money you receive as compensation may be reduced according to the percentage of the accident you are deemed to have caused. This is known as the comparative negligence rule. Discuss this rule with your attorney and any applicability it may have in your case before he or she files your claim.
Personal Injury Attorneys in Winter Park, Florida
If you have been injured in a boating accident, contact Hornsby Law Group at 407-499-8887 for your initial legal consultation with our firm. You may be entitled to monetary compensation and if so, we can help you build a strong case to secure this money. Do not wait to contact our firm and begin building your claim for monetary compensation.
