Boat Accident

When people come to Florida, they think about amusement parks, sandy beaches, and bright coastal waterways. The state’s residents also make everyday use of Florida’s waterways, owning boats, jet skis, and other assorted types of watercraft. Like any other form of transportation or leisure activity, boats and similar watercraft that are improperly operated, poorly maintained, or driven recklessly can cause accidents and serious injuries. Our Boat accident lawyer can assist you if you are involved in a boating accident.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a boating accident caused by another party’s negligent behavior, you may be entitled to pursue financial compensation. A watercraft accident can be dangerous, especially in turbulent seas. The types of injuries sustained in car accidents are all the more life-threatening on the open water, where the risk of drowning is ever-present.

To seek damages for your boating accident claims, it is recommended that you work with personal injury attorneys who have some experience representing clients in boating accident cases. Mausner Graham Injury Law PLLC is a personal injury law firm that provides compassionate legal representation to accident victims and victims of injury and assault.

Native to Miami, Florida, our boating accident lawyers are well aware of both the enjoyment of spending time on Florida’s waterways and the inherent threat of sharing the crowded shoreline with so many other boaters.

Licensed to practice both personal injury law and maritime law in the state of Florida, our boating accident attorneys are well-suited to all types of personal injury and maritime claims.

Florida’s waters are home to nearly two million vessels. Sadly, we should only expect some operators of a watercraft off Florida’s coast to have passed a boating safety course or to be practicing all respectable levels of caution when boating near others. As your personal injury attorneys, we will attempt to build a case that holds the party responsible for any boat accident or personal injury.

To learn more about boating accident lawsuits and how you might recover fair compensation that could go towards your medical bills and any lost wages, please get in touch with our law firm for a free consultation with a member of our legal team.

What Are The Common Causes Of Boating Accidents In Florida?

In 2021, Miami-Dade County led all of Florida in reported boating accidents. The county had nearly a hundred reported boat accidents in the year 2021, with approximately 10% of these accidents proving to be fatal. South Florida, as a whole, has some of the most boating accidents in the United States.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission keeps track of boating accidents across the state and lists common causes.

The most common boating accident is caused by colliding with other vessels. Collisions of this sort can cause serious boating injuries but can also lead to boats sinking, putting boaters at risk of drowning. A watercraft accident between a large craft and a small craft is also common, as the smaller craft may be more difficult for other boaters to see. Jet ski accidents are fairly common for this reason.

Boating accidents also tend to occur from boat operators striking stationary objects (such as a rock, buoy, or anchored craft), running a boat aground, taking on water, or boaters falling overboard.

Statistically, distraction is shown as the leading cause of boating accidents in Florida. When there is not a proper lookout, mistakes can and do happen. It is essential for boat operators to be attentive at all times, even in recreational boating.

Boating accidents are also commonly caused by inexperience on the part of the boat operator. The operator of a personal watercraft needs to be familiar with fundamental maritime law regarding recreational boats and undergo any necessary safety education training.

Sharp turns that may capsize a boat or hurl passengers overboard can cause personal injuries. Overloading a watercraft with too many passengers or too much cargo can be hazardous. Instances of flooding can either result in the entire watercraft going under the surface or present a danger for slip and fall accidents. And fires and explosions are not entirely uncommon, even on the water.

Additional causes for boating accidents in Florida include alcohol use, drug abuse, speeding, poor weather conditions on the water, and equipment failure.

What Types Of Injuries Are Commonly Seen In Boat Accidents?

Like a car accident, a boating accident can result in injuries that rattle and break the human body. Broken bones, whiplash, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burns, facial disfigurement, loss of limbs, complete or partial paralysis, internal bleeding, and deep cuts are commonly seen in vehicular accidents, whether on land or sea.

Additional commonly seen boating accident injuries include:

• Drowning.
• Hypothermia.
• Injuries sustained due to oxygen deprivation.
• Lung infections.
• Shock.
• Teeth and jaw injuries.
• Wrongful death.

Can A Personal Injury Lawyer Help You With A Boating Accident Claim?

If you or a loved one were injured in a boating accident, it is essential that you speak with an attorney about your personal injury case without delay. These cases have a strict statute of limitations from when the accident occurred; if you miss your window, you will miss your opportunity to recover a financial settlement for your boating accident injury.

Those who have suffered a catastrophic injury in an accident should seek medical treatment first and foremost. They should not be asked to contend with the complexities of federal maritime laws or complex negotiations with an insurance company.

Your boat accident lawyer will take these responsibilities off your shoulders so that you may recover from your injuries. It is essential that boating accident lawsuits are filed correctly, and we will ensure that all the necessary legal procedures are closely followed. Your boat accident lawyer will also negotiate with the insurance company in an attempt to recover the maximum compensation for your pain and suffering.

You are not required to hire a boat accident lawyer. However, those who enlist the legal representation of an experienced personal injury law firm tend to have a higher success rate than those who enter the legal fight on their own.

Like, did you know that many boating collisions fall under federal laws? This means that some cases must go to federal courts, which have different procedures in place that must be respected and adhered to in hopes of obtaining a favorable outcome.

At Mausner Graham Injury Law PLLC, we are trained and experienced in all types of boating accident cases and would be well-suited to helping you to meet your goals.

What Types Of Damages Could Boating Accident Victims Recover With Their Personal Injury Claim?

If a watercraft’s negligence or reckless operation led to your injuries, your Miami boating accident attorney might be able to recover fair compensation on your behalf. This settlement can take the form of both economic and non-economic damages.

The types of damages your boat accident lawyers may recover include:

• Disability.
• Disfigurement.
• Emotional distress and mental anguish.
• Loss of consortium or partnership.
• Lost wages.
• Medical expenses.
• Mental health ailments like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
• Pain and suffering.
• Past and future medical treatment.
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation.
• Property damage.
• Psychological therapy.
• Reduced future earning potential.
• Reduced quality of life.
• Wrongful death.

When you hire our law firm, we will examine all relevant evidence to help build you the most robust case possible. This research may include examining Coast Guard reports, eyewitness testimony, physical evidence recovered from the accident, photographic evidence, and medical records of those injured in a boating accident.

Schedule A Free Consultation With Experienced Boating Accident Attorneys Today

Mausner Graham Injury Law PLLC has experience trying cases in a number of types of boat accidents. Whether you were injured while jet skiing while operating a recreational boat, while working on a ship, or as a cruise ship line passenger, you may be entitled to seek financial compensation for injuries, loss of life, or damage to personal property.

Many boating accidents are the result of a reckless or inattentive operator at the wheel of the watercraft. This act of negligence — the fault of another party entirely — should not leave you the one responsible for injuries and damages. What’s right is right, and, as your attorneys, we will seek to ensure that the responsible parties are held to account financially for their role in your pain and suffering.

Our Boat accident lawyer is licensed to practice law throughout the state of Florida. Our lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis, which means that if we are unable to recover a settlement for your claim, you won’t owe us a dime in legal fees.

Additionally, our law firm offers a free case evaluation for any boat accident victims. All you need to do is call us and schedule your consultation with a Miami boating accident attorney. We will then be able to go over your boating accident case in more detail and help determine the best course of action as we advance.

To speak with a member of our team, please contact us at 305-344-4878.