Fort Myers Boating Accident Attorneys
Serious Representation for Victims Injured in a Boating Accident
Boasting both the Atlantic and the Gulf coasts, South Florida is renowned for its beautiful beaches and incredible waterways. Naturally, boating is important here, not only as means of transportation but also as recreation. Indeed, recreational watercraft are popular among locals and South Florida’s tourists alike. Unfortunately, recreational boating is often unskilled boating.
Every day in South and Southwest Florida, people are operating massive and incredibly powerful boats without training or licenses. Too often, they treat this responsibility as a game or a sport, resulting in injuries that cause innocent people to suffer serious financial, physical, and emotional damage.
Boats Can Causes Serious Injuries and Death
Alcohol and drug use are not uncommon. Police officers have a harder time detecting and regulating drunk boating than drunk driving but the two are equally dangerous. In fact, boats may have an even greater capacity for causing death and destruction.
Perhaps it comes as no surprise, then, that serious boating accidents are commonplace in and around Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, and the rest of South and Southwest Florida. But even though someone may have the ability to take a boat out on the waterway without any skill or knowledge, those people nevertheless have a duty to act carefully and to follow the law.
As experienced Florida injury lawyers, Viles & Beckman, LLC understand just how serious a problem boating negligence has become in our communities. That’s why we are dedicated to holding careless and dangerous boaters responsible for the harm they cause.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a negligent boat or watercraft accident in Florida, our experienced Fort Myers boating accident lawyers can help. Contact us online or by calling us at (239) 237-5615.
Serious Boat Accident Injuries
Given the combination of high speeds, little to no safety belts or straps, sharp propellers, hard surfaces, hazardous fixtures, and uncertain waters, boats are certainly dangerous vehicles. To make matters worse, their occupants are usually unprotected and unrestrained. Most people aboard South Florida’s boats fail to wear helmets or any other protective gear, with the possible exception of a personal flotation device (though many fail to take that step, too). In addition to the injuries that might occur in any other kind accident, boat accidents involve certain heightened risks.
Florida Boating Injuries caused by:
- Propellers
- Collisions with other boats
- Collisions with docks or piers
- Capsizing
- Slip and fall/man overboard
- Falls from heights (such as a second story on the boat)
- Drowning
- Water skiing injuries
- Personal watercraft (jet ski) accidents
- Wakeboarding accidents
- Contact with submerged structures
- Impact with sandbars
- Rough waters or wake
- Fire and explosion
- Defective life jackets, floatation devices, or safety gear
- Defective watercraft or equipment
At Viles & Beckman, LLC our experienced Fort Myers boat accident attorneys are prepared to assist you with any kind of boat-related injury, no matter how serious or seemingly simple it may be.
When you schedule a free case review with our office, we can help you understand how the law might apply in your situation and determine the potential value of your claim.
Understanding Florida’s Boating Laws
Boating law is complicated. In Florida, these matters often involve a combination of federal, state, and local law. Additionally, multiple areas of law can intersect in these cases, demanding the attention of a skilled and experienced attorney.
The truth is that most boating accident attorneys, including those who work with typical car and auto accidents on a regular basis, are not sufficiently familiar with the intricacies of admiralty and Florida boating laws and regulations to thoroughly and effectively handle these cases in the way that their clients need them to.
At Viles & Beckman, LLC our experienced Fort Myers boating accident injury lawyers command a comprehensive understanding of Florida’s boating laws and the many other issues and authorities that may very well come into play. We are even prepared to handle cases involving deep-sea water injuries, federal vessels, U.S.-owned property, offshore injuries, and other complicated or novel areas of law.
Florida Boating Safety Tips
- Always wear a life jacket that fits well. In fact, life jackets could’ve saved the lives of over 80 percent of boaters who died in a boat accident.
- Make sure all passengers are in the boat before starting the engine to prevent injuries.
- Carry important safety equipment on the boat, like a first-aid kit, horn, flares, fire extinguisher, etc.
- Tell someone back on shore what your boat looks like, when you’ll be back, and who is on board. This is important incase something happens.
- Never drink alcohol or use drugs while you are responsible for a boat. It is simply a very bad idea.
- Make sure you give yourself a refresher on boating safety basics before taking out your friends and family, especially if it’s been a while.
- Get a free vessel safety check from the United States Coast Guard. Cool, right?
Free Case Review with Viles & Beckman, LLC
Our firm is proud to represent victims of boating accidents throughout the entire state of Florida, including our home communities of Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Naples, as well as the Sunshine State’s many other popular boating destinations. If you need experienced legal representation for a negligent watercraft injury, we can help.
If you would like to schedule a free case review with an attorney in our office, please contact us online or call (239) 334-3933 right away.
About the Author of this Page: The above information was written or reviewed by one of the attorneys at Viles & Beckman LLC who have a combined experience of nearly 60 years: Marcus Viles, Michael Beckman or Maria Alaimo. The information provided in this article comes from years of experience trying legal cases outside and inside courtrooms throughout Florida along with extensive research.