Florida Boating Accidents

What Are the Most Common Types Of Boat Accident Cases?

Unfortunately, there are so many different ways in which a passenger could suffer an injury or even pass away when aboard a boat. 

However, some of the following ways in which an injury can occur include:

Does Florida Have An Age Requirement for Boating?

Unfortunately, there is no age requirement for boating in Florida, and boaters 30 years of age and older are not required to have boating licenses or even to undergo boating safety courses. This means that many Florida boaters are not licensed or trained in boating safety, which can make a boating crash even more severe.

What many Florida residents—and even some attorneys—do not know is that any accident that occurs on a public waterway falls under federal admiralty jurisdiction, which has a separate set of laws for injuries sustained due to a boat accident. Your Florida personal injury and maritime attorney must know which standards to use when petitioning the court for compensation.

Top 10 Contributing Factors To Boating Accidents

Boating accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the top ten primary contributing factors to boating accidents include:

1. Operator inattention
2. Operator inexperience
3. Improper Lookout
4. Machinery failure
5. Excessive speed
6. Navigation rules violation
7. Alcohol use
8. Force of wave/wake
9. Weather
10. Hazardous waters

Boating education courses provide many ways for boat operators to provide a safe boating experience for them and their passengers. However, when tragedy does strike, damage or loss of personal property, injuries, lost wages, rising medical bills, all need to be reviewed when an accident happens. 

Claims And Compensation Your Boat Accident In South Florida

If you were injured in a Florida boating accident, you may seek compensation for the following:

• Medical Bills
• Medications and medical supplies
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Property damage or loss of personal property
• Pain and suffering

Boating & Recreational Water Craft Safety

Best Practices For Safe Boating Excursions

The National Safe Boating Council shows that in 2010, there were 672 boating fatalities. Almost 75% of all fatal boating accident victims downed, of which 88% were not wearing life jackets. Alcohol use is a predominate factor in 19% of the deaths that stemmed from fatal boating accidents.

The top contributing factors for boating accidents and recreational boating fatalities include:

• Operator inattention
• Improper lookout
• Operator inexperience
• Excessive speed
• Alcohol use
• Force of wave/wake
• Hazardous waters
• Machinery failure
• Rules of the road
• And weather

Boating accident do happen, but with knowledge, experience, and preparation, you can reduce the effects of a boating accident.

Here are some boating safety best practices:

• Wear a Life Jacket – The boat captain(s) and all passengers should wear U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) approved life jackets/life preservers/flotation devices. The USCG states that 80% of boating fatality victims could have been saved had they worn a life jacket.
• Take a Boating Safety Course – Operator errors account for 70% of boating accidents. Boating safety courses are offered throughout the country and online. For courses offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxillary, the U.S. Power Squadron, and other qualified sources.
• Know Your Boat – Know how to manage your boat. Be thoroughly familiar with navigation, boat safety, boat handling, boat equipment line handling, anchoring, engine trouble shooting, and emergency response procedures.
• Get a Free Vessel Safety Check (VSC) – The U.S. Coast Guard will complete a courtesy examination of your vessel (boat) to verify the presence and condition of certain safety equipment required by state and federal regulation. Click here to access the Vessel Safety Check Examiner Database.
• Know the Navigation Rules – Learn the boating rules of the waterway and how to avoid collisions by using nautical charts and by using navigation aids like buoys.
• Operate your Boat at a Safe Speed – The U.S. Coast Guard Rules state that every vessel (boat) shall at all times proceed at a safe speed to that they can take proper and effective action to avoid collisions and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions. Click here for more details.
• File a Float Plan – You should always prepare a float plan. Plans include boat information, passenger information, and full trip itinerary. For a sample Float Plan, click here.
• No Boating Under the Influence – Do not drink and boat. It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in every state.
• Carry a VHF Marine Radio – Boaters should have an operational marine VHF radio on their boat in order to contact the Coast Guard on channel 16 in the event an emergency.
• Check Weather Conditions – Boat captains should check current and forecasted weather conditions prior to getting underway and remain aware of changing conditions once on the water. The National Weather Service broadcasts weather conditions throughout the day on VHF channel WX2. The Coast Guard broadcasts weather conditions on VHF channel 22A at 9:30 a.m., noon, and 4:30 p.m.
• Don’t Overload your Boat – Know the passenger capacity and cargo capacity of your boat to avoid being swamped or capsizing. See your owner’s manual.
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – Educate yourself about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. To learn about carbon monoxide symptoms, poisoning, and treatment.
• Check your Boating Safety State and Local Requirements – Make sure you know the local boating laws and regulations prior to boating. Click here for the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators for local laws and requirements.

Contact Zimmerman & Frachtman Today

If you or a loved one has been injured or died due to a boating accident or a personal watercraft accident and would like to learn more about your legal rights, please contact Zimmerman & Frachtman online or call (954) 504-6577.

Contact us online or call (954) 504-6577 to learn more during a free, confidential consultation.