Florida Boat Accident Lawyers

Serving Pensacola, Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, Tampa & Beyond

All along the Gulf Coast, people spend their summers enjoying the beautiful beaches, amazing fishing, and gorgeous coastal waters. Unfortunately, boating accidents are all too common. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida has more boat-related fatalities and injuries than any other state in the nation.

If you were injured or your loved one has been killed in a boating accident in Florida, Michles & Booth can help. We understand the immense impact these accidents have on every aspect of your life, which is why our attorneys are prepared to fully investigate your accident, build a solid case on your behalf, and fight for the full, fair recovery you and your family deserve.

Call Michles & Booth at 850-438-4848 or contact us online to request a free consultation with our Florida boat accident attorneys.

Establishing Liability in Florida Boating Accidents

The rules of the road and rules of the water share many similarities. Just as on the road, the water will often have lanes of traffic, speed limits, and the duty of boaters to yield to oncoming traffic.

Boat operators must be aware of their surroundings, not engage in distracted boating, and not operate a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs to the point that their normal faculties are impaired. Also, boat operators can be liable not only to people in other boats, but also their own passengers if these passengers are injured as a result of the boat operator's negligence.

Often, the question of who is at fault in multi-boat accidents is determined in the same manner as car accidents. These factors can include the location of each boat in relation to traffic lanes, the speed of each boat, the boat operators’ actions in response to the presence of other boaters, and the ability of a boater/operator to avoid collisions.

If you were injured in a boat accident that was not your fault, contact Michles & Booth today to determine your rights and legal options.

Identifying Causes of Boating Accidents in Florida

Boating and personal watercraft accidents can and do occur in many ways. These accidents lead to devastating injuries, including drowning. Some of the safety concerns associated with boating deaths and injuries include counter-intuitive operating characteristics like off-throttle steering, the lack of appropriate operator training, and improper and inadequate warnings.

According to investigating authorities, the most common causes of boat accidents in Florida are:

• Failure of one operator to maintain a proper lookout for other vessels;
• Excessive speed; and
• Operator inexperience.

Accidents can happen in a variety of circumstances, such as:

• Collisions with other boats
• Jet Ski and WaveRunner accidents
• Scuba diving and snorkeling
• Parasailing accidents
• Kitesurfing and windsurfing
• Waterskiing and tubing accidents
• Boating under the influence of alcohol

It is critical in a boating accident to determine which laws apply. Depending on where your boating accident occurred, Florida law, Federal Maritime law, or a combination of both could apply. This must be determined as quickly as possible because of the different procedures and statute of limitations that apply to each type of claim.

How Long Do I Have to File a Boat Accident Claim?

According to Florida Statute 327.30, if you were injured in waters within state boundaries, you have four years from the accident to file a claim. There’s a three-year statute of limitations set in place for accidents on waters in-between states or governed by Admiralty law.

Cruise ship accidents are a bit different. Usually, your contract with the cruise will state the statute of limitations for an accident—typically, they give you six months to a year to file.

In the case of wrongful death, Florida’s statute allows two years from the date of the person's death to file.

Seeking Compensation for Your Injuries

After a boat accident in Florida, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Loss of wages
• Property damage costs
• And more

Ultimately, your compensation will depend on how severe the accident and resulting injuries were. If you would like to know more about seeking damages after a boat crash, contact our boat accident lawyers in Florida as soon as possible.

Request a Free Consultation Today

At Michles & Booth, our Florida boating accident lawyers understand the challenges you face. While we know that no amount of compensation can ever undo the pain and suffering you have been through, a personal injury or wrongful death claim can provide you with a much-needed sense of justice and allow you the financial ability to seek proper medical treatment, continue paying your bills, and move forward in your recovery.

With offices in Pensacola, Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, and Tampa, our firm serves clients throughout Florida. We offer free initial consultations and answer our phone lines 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you with your boat accident claim.

Call our office at 850-438-4848 or send us a message online for a free consultation with our boat accident attorneys in Florida.