Watercraft and Boating Accidents

Vessel Safety and Boating Accidents in Florida

A “Boating accident” means a collision, accident, or casualty involving a vessel in or upon, or entering into or exiting from, the water, including capsizing, collision with another vessel or object, sinking, personal injury, death, disappearance of any person from on board under circumstances which indicate the possibility of death or injury, or property damage to any vessel or dock. This comes from Florida Statute section 327.02.

We Handle Boat Accident Claims Throughout Florida

If you were injured in a boating accident, you may be entitled to money for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Some types of boating accident claims we handle include:

• Jet Ski accident claims
• Slip and fall injury claims on Yachts, Boats and other vessels
• Drowning claims
• Wave Runner injury claims
• Parasailing accident claims
• Boat crash accident cases
• Boating Under The Influence accidents

Boat Operators Must Call the Police After an Accident in Florida Waters

Florida law generally requires the owner of a vessel to contact the Division of Law Enforcement of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; the sheriff of the county within which the accident occurred; or the police chief of the municipality within which the accident occurred whenever there is a personal injury requiring more than just first aid. A person who fails to do this may be committing a felony.

I Was Injured on a Boat in Florida. What Types of Boat Injury Cases can you Handle?

At the Law Offices of Jason Turchin, we represent boat accident victims in many Florida boat injury claims. These include:

• Sprain and strain injuries
• Lacerations
• Brain injury and coma
• Severe disfigurement
• Scars
• Bruising
• Fractured bones
• Accidental death
• Boating homicide and BUI (boating under the influence) injuries

A Vessel Operator is Liable for Reckless or Careless Operation in Florida

Florida Statute section 327.32 holds that all vessels, of whatever classification, shall be considered dangerous instrumentalities in Florida, and any operator of a vessel shall, during any utilization of the vessel, exercise the highest degree of care in order to prevent injuries to others.

Unlike motor vehicle accidents in Florida where both the vehicle owner and negligent driver can be held liable, Florida’s boating accident law states that liability for reckless or careless operation of a vessel shall be confined to the operator in immediate charge of the vessel and not imposed upon the owner of the vessel. There is an exception, however, where the vessel owner is the operator or is present in the vessel when any injury or damage is occasioned by the reckless or careless operation of such vessel, whether such recklessness or carelessness consists of a violation of the provisions of the statutes of this state, or disregard in observing such care and such operation as the rules of the common law require.

This means that both the vessel operator and vessel owner can both be held legally responsible for injuries or death under certain circumstances in Florida.

What is Careless Operation of a Vessel in Florida?

Any person operating a vessel upon the waters in Florida must operate the vessel in a reasonable and prudent manner, having regard for other waterborne traffic, posted speed and wake restrictions, and all other attendant circumstances so as not to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person. The failure to operate a vessel in this manner constitutes careless operation. A person who carelessly operates a boat in Florida that results in serious bodily injury or death may be charged with a misdemeanor or other criminal or non-criminal offense.

Injured on a Boat in Florida While on Vacation?

No problem! Boat accident lawyer Jason Turchin has represented many boat accident claims in Florida with out of state clients injured while visiting or on vacation. We can sign you up by email or mail and you may not have to come to Florida at all to resolve your case.

If you were injured in a boating accident in Florida, call Florida Boating Accident Attorney Jason Turchin at (800) 337-7755 for a free consultation. We handle Florida boat crash accident claims throughout Florida, including Miami boating accident attorney claims, Ft Lauderdale boat accident, Key West catamaran injury, Tampa Boat Accident Lawyer, Key Biscayne injury on a yacht, Naples wave runner accident claims.

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