Mrs. López and all of the Staff that had helped us it has been an absolute pleasure. They always had an answer to our questions and treated us with respect but most of all they listened.
Alondra O.
Outstanding Attorneys and Legal Team. Lopez, Justin, and Daisy were quick to answer my questions and handled my accident case with speed and courtesy. The outcome was much better than I anticipated.
Robert R.
A huge thanks to your office for such a great experience with my case. Special thanks to Denora, Carmen, and especially Kevin for answering my many calls and questions and keeping me informed through the entire process. I’m am extremely happy and grateful with the outcome.
Kathy W.
Boating accidents can lead to serious injuries that require financial compensation. Work with our boat accident attorneys to find out what your case could be worth.
Florida boasts the longest coastline in the contiguous Unites States (approximately1,350 miles), so it comes as no surprise that Florida also leads the nation for total number of registered vessels – over an astounding 1,000,000 as of 2024, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Commensurate with that statistic is the unfortunate reality that Florida also claims the highest number of boating accidents and fatalities in the country.
In 2023, Florida experienced 659 boating accidents, leading to 59 fatalities. Key causes included collisions with fixed objects and drowning, with 83% of deaths involving operators without formal boating education. Despite Florida’s efforts, it remains the state with the highest number of boating fatalities, highlighting the need for increased boater education and safety measures to mitigate these risks. These statistics underscore the ongoing challenges in improving boating safety on Florida’s waterways (U.S. Coast Guard, 2024). These statistics focus on “reportable accidents” that result in injuries going beyond just first aid, cause a death or leave someone missing and presumed dead. Reportable accidents must also cause damage in excess of $2,000.
Causes of Boating Accidents
Just because you are on the water does not mean you assume all risks associated with activity on the water.
Florida does not require boating instruction and limits mandatory instruction for operators under a certain age, putting many people at the helm of watercraft without knowledge of the vessel and little or no understanding of the nautical “rules of the road.” This frightening reality, especially when combined with the inherent perils of the sea, often leads to accidents. There are many factors that can contribute to a boat operator’s negligence, including:
- Collisions (with other watercraft or fixed objects such as bridges and piers)
- Groundings
- Unsafe or careless operation (inattention, inexperience, not knowing navigational rules)
- Speeding
- Negligent supervision and entrustment
- Drugs and alcohol
- Insufficient boat maintenance
- Failure to have sufficient safety equipment aboard
- Contact with propellers
- Failing to keep a lookout while a guest is skiing, tubing or snorkeling
- Overcrowding or overloading
What to Do After the Boat Accident
Importantly, an operator involved in a boating accident must:
- Stop his or her vessel immediately at the scene of the accident unless the action would endanger his or her own vessel, crew, or passengers and
- Give assistance to anyone injured in the accident and
- Give his or her name, address, and identifying number of his or her vessel to the other vessel’s operator and/or owner of damaged property.
Vessel operators involved in an accident must report the accident by the quickest means possible if the accident has resulted in:
- A death or disappearance of a person or
- An injury causing a person to require medical attention beyond first aid or
- Damage to the vessel and other property of $2,000 or more.
The report of the accident must be made to:
- The Division of Law Enforcement, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or
- The sheriff of the county where the accident occurred or
- The police department of the municipality in which the accident occurred.
Failure to report an accident and failure to render aid are both criminal offenses.
Get Legal Representation Today
From paddleboards, kayaks and jet skis to sailboats, airboats, speedboats and yachts, the Lakeland boat accident lawyers at Lopez and Humphries handle personal injuries and deaths involving all types of watercraft. Our team of attorneys and professional staff will assist you in obtaining evidence, gathering the necessary proof of liability, investigating the accident and determining how injuries occurred. Our team will interview witnesses, find experts, review information from all law enforcement agencies involved, and work aggressively to build the strongest, most compelling case possible.
To receive just compensation for injuries or to pursue a wrongful death claim due to a boating accident, contact the Lakeland boat accident attorneys at Lopez & Humphries, P.A. by calling (863) 774-3573.
Citations
FWC announces benchmark of 1 million registered vessels in Florida
https://myfwc.com/news/all-news/million-boats
2023 Recreational Boating Statistics, USCG 2024 report
https://uscgboating.org/library/accident-statistics/Recreational-Boating-Statistics-2023-Ch1.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should I do immediately after a boat accident in Florida?
If you are involved in a boat accident in Florida, you must stop your vessel, help anyone who is injured, and give your name, address, and vessel identification number to the other party. If the accident causes death, someone goes missing, injuries need more than basic first aid, or property damage is over $2,000, you must report it as soon as possible to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the county sheriff, or local police.
2. Who can be held liable for a boating accident in Florida?
Who is responsible for a boating accident in Florida depends on what happened. A boat operator can be held responsible if they were speeding, using alcohol or drugs, lacked proper training, or did not keep the boat in safe condition. Sometimes, the boat owner can also be liable if they let someone unqualified use the boat. If a faulty part or equipment failure caused the accident, the manufacturer might be responsible too.
3. What do Lakeland boat accident lawyers do, and when should I hire one?
Lakeland boat accident lawyers look into what caused the accident, find out who is responsible, collect evidence, and talk to insurance companies. If needed, they will take your case to court to help you get full compensation. It is best to hire a lawyer as soon as possible after the accident, before you give any recorded statements to insurance companies. Getting a lawyer early helps protect important evidence, makes sure you meet deadlines, and gives you a better chance of a good result.
4. Does Florida’s no-fault insurance law apply to boat accidents?
No. Florida’s no-fault insurance law and PIP coverage only apply to car accidents on public roads, not to boating accidents. If you are hurt in a boating accident, you cannot use PIP benefits for your medical bills. Instead, you may need to seek compensation from the boat operator’s liability insurance, your own underinsured or uninsured coverage if you have it, or by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the person at fault.
5. What types of compensation can I recover after a boating accident in Lakeland, FL?
If you are hurt in a boating accident in Lakeland or anywhere in Florida, you may be able to get compensation for your medical bills (now and in the future), lost wages, loss of earning ability, pain and suffering, and any lasting disability or disfigurement. If someone dies in the accident, their family may be able to file a wrongful death claim.
6. How long do I have to file a boat accident injury claim in Florida?
In Florida, you have two years from the date of a boating accident to file a personal injury claim. If you wait too long, you could lose your right to get compensation. It is important to talk to an attorney as soon as possible so evidence can be saved, witnesses can be interviewed, and your claim can be reviewed properly.
7. How do I find a boating accident attorney in Polk County, Florida?
If you were hurt in a boating accident in Polk County, Florida, it is important to find an attorney who knows Florida maritime and personal injury law. López & Humphries, P.A. is a local personal injury firm with offices in Lakeland, Bartow, and Sebring. Our attorneys have handled many boating accident cases with all types of watercraft and have recovered over $113 million for clients.
8. Why should I hire López & Humphries, P.A. for my Lakeland boat accident case?
López & Humphries, P.A. has recovered over $113 million for injured clients in Central Florida and has 86 years of combined legal experience. Our attorneys handle boating accident cases with all types of watercraft, including jet skis, kayaks, speedboats, and yachts. We know how to investigate accidents, find out who is responsible, and build strong cases against insurance companies that try to pay less. Call (863) 243-6744 or visit lopezandhumphries.com/contact to get started.
