Boating Accident Attorney Palm Beach Gardens
Florida is top of the charts for the number of boat registrations and, unfortunately, the number of boating accidents. According to the 2022 Boating Accident Statistical Report, there were over one million registered boats and an additional one million unregistered vessels using Florida’s vast waterways. With so many boats in the water, there were 735 reported boating accidents resulting in 65 fatalities. Collisions with other boats or stationery objects are the most common forms of boating accidents that cause injury, with 34% of reported accidents involving collisions. Falling overboard was the leading cause of death: 27% of reported deaths. Drowning is the most common form of fatality.
May is the most dangerous month for boating deaths, however, July has the most boating accidents. Most fatalities involve male victims – 85% – and alcohol or drug use was implicated in 13% of all deadly accidents.
If you are a boater and involved in an accident resulting in personal injury and/or property damage, you should seek a free consultation with the boating accident attorneys at the Swan Law Firm. Make that appointment today.
Why Choose Blake Swan as Your Boating Accident Attorney
The reputation of a personal injury attorney matters, especially in the early stages of a claim for boating accident injuries. Blake Swan has the credentials that impress insurance companies and defense attorneys. They know that claims filed by the Swan Law Firm are legitimate causes of action. We get results for our clients.
The Swan Law Firm is a top-ranked attorney among the National Trial attorneys Top 40, recovering over $90 million on behalf of clients from around the country.
The Swan Law Firm will fight till you get paid!
A successful personal injury attorney has a combination of skills:
- Up-to-date knowledge of Florida and maritime boating accident law and civil procedure
- Compassion and dedication to our clients
- Trial experience that backs up aggressive negotiating strategies
- A reputation among insurance companies and defense counsel
- Professional, strategic, and effective
This professional attitude means that we will aggressively, and ethically, advocate for our clients so that we can recover the compensation that you deserve.
Common Types of Boating Accidents
In 2022, although 73,258 Boating Safety Education ID cards were issued in Florida, 70% of fatal boating accidents involve boat operators without any formal boater education. The most important deterrent is taking a boat safety course and abiding by the rules of the waterways. That means avoiding alcohol and drugs when out on the water. Florida does not require a license to operate a boat. However, anyone born after January 1, 1988, is required to get a Boat Safety Education certificate in order to operate a boat that has 10 horsepower or more in motorized power.
Many boating accidents are predictable and preventable.
- Collisions with other boats or objects
- Capsizing and sinking accidents
- Personal watercraft accidents (e.g., jet skis)
- Docking and marina accidents
- Boat fires and explosions
- Slip and fall accidents on boats
Causes and Contributing Factors in Boating Accidents
Boat safety courses do make a difference. About 71% of fatal boating accidents in 2022 involved boat operators over the age of 36, people who most likely have not obtained mandatory training on boat safety. Additionally, 71% of all reported boating accidents involved smaller vessels, under 21 feet long. Inattention, whether due to alcohol, drug use, or distractions, is responsible for most accidents:
- Operator inattention or inexperience
- Alcohol or drug use
- Excessive speed
- Mechanical failure
- Weather conditions
- Navigational errors
What to Do After a Boating Accident
In 2022, Monroe and Miami-Dade counties led the state in the most boating accidents. If you or a family member is involved in a boating accident, you should contact a boating accident attorney as soon as possible to preserve all of your options, including the option to sue for damages. Maritime law is particularly complex because some cases require filing suit in federal admiralty court rather than state court. Therefore, your boating accident attorney needs very specific credentials to properly assess your case and represent your interests.
Immediately following a boating accident, you should take very specific steps. First, seek medical care to fully diagnose and treat any conditions caused by the boating accident. Maintain complete medical records, including time off from work or household responsibilities. Fully photograph all property damage, and have your boat or other damaged property assessed with repair estimates compiled. Depending on your insurance policy, you might be able to repair your boat with your insurance company paying and later seeking reimbursement from any party at fault. You also want to gather the names and contact information for all witnesses. Most importantly, report the boating accident to the proper authorities so that the accident can be investigated and tickets issued to the culpable parties.
And of course, contact a boating accident attorney as soon as possible so that you will have a professional guide taking you through the preliminary steps of preserving evidence and caring for any injuries, and then rigorously pursing your legal right to compensation.
How Blake Swan Can Help You
Every potential client who approaches the Swan Law Firm for a free consultation will be interviewed to determine the viability of your claim. This process involves reviewing the evidence, medical records, and perhaps conducting a brief investigation to locate the responsible parties and their financial assets, including insurance policies, and any prior claims based on dangerous construction site conditions.
Once a case is taken, and a retainer agreement drafted and signed, the Swan Law Firm will contact the insurance carriers, if any, to feel out whether negotiation or litigation is the best course of action for you. If the insurance carrier has undervalued the damage, and not offered an appropriate pre-filing settlement, then the Swan Law Firm will file suit on your behalf. Our goal is to maximize your recovery in the shortest period of time. However, not all cases can be settled without a trial. Especially complicated or serious boating accident cases require a trial before a jury. And Blake Swan and his team have the experience and fight you want in a trial attorney.
We Fight Until You Get Paid
At the Swan Law Firm, we will guide you through the legal process and aggressively pursue your claim, maintaining integrity and offering you compassion and understanding during this difficult time. We are committed to providing our clients with legal representation based on your needs and our professionalism. Your case will begin with a Free Consultation.
We are standing by ready to assist you 24/7. Call us now at Swan Law Firm 561-291-7492 or fill out the contact form below to schedule your free consultation.
Our Florida office is located at:
11410 Jog Road, Suite 100
Palm Beach Gardens, FL, 33410
Our telephone number is: 561-291-7492
Or email Blake Swan at: bswan@swanlawfirm.com
Frequently Asked Questions
How is liability determined in a boating accident case? Most boating accidents are caused by negligence: failing to pay attention, driving at excessive or dangerous speeds, boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol, operator inexperience, equipment failure or malfunction, or reckless and careless operation of a vessel. Liability is determined by proving that the negligence or reckless behavior was the cause of the injuries, and that the other operator was primarily at fault.
What types of compensation can I seek for injuries sustained in a boating accident? Damages can include medical expenses, including the cost of rehabilitation; cost of property damage repair or replacement; lost wages and future earnings; pain and suffering; and possibly, punitive damages.
How long do I have to file a boating accident claim in palm beach gardens? There is a two-year statute of limitations during which time you can file a claim for damages caused by a boating accident.
How can a boating accident attorney help me with my case? An experienced and compassionate boating accident attorney can guide you through the recovery process, helping you organize your medical bills and property damage repairs, conducting an investigation into the cause of the accident, gathering and preserving evidence, and taking you through the negotiation and if necessary, judicial procedures to secure a recovery for your losses. Insurance companies are notorious for offering low-ball initial offers to settle, luring people into settling with the idea of fast money. However, before accepting any offer, you should confer with a boating accident attorney to ensure that you aren’t cheating yourself out of money you deserve.
