The rates of boat and personal watercraft accidents are high in the State of Florida, due to its vast coasts and plentiful inland lakes. If you or a loved one were injured in a boat accident, you could be eligible to recover compensation for damages. A Seminole boat accident lawyer may be able to assess your situation and determine whether the negligence of any other parties led to your injuries.
Following a boat accident, you may be facing severe financial hardships due to medical bills as well as significant emotional and physical damages. Contacting an experienced personal injury attorney may allow you to hold negligent parties responsible for their actions in causing your injuries.
Legal Rights Following Boating Accidents in Seminole
When another’s negligence causes an accident that injures others, they may be held liable for damages. Depending on where the boat accident occurs, injury victims may be able to pursue compensation under state personal injury laws as well as under admiralty or maritime law.
Most boat accidents rely on a theory of negligence, or the careless disregard for the safety of others, on behalf of boat operators. Like drivers, boat operators owe a duty of care to others to operate their vessels in a reasonably safe manner. When their conduct fails to meet the standard of care that a reasonable person would exercise in the same situation, then they may be liable for any resulting injuries.
When an accident occurs, boat operators may be liable for negligence if their conduct causes injuries to their passengers. Likewise, they may be responsible for injuries to occupants of other vessels or operators of personal watercraft, depending on the circumstances. A boat accident lawyer in Seminole may be able to investigate a boat accident and determine whether negligence contributed to the crash.
Causes of Negligence in Seminole Boating Accidents
Although drivers must undergo testing and licensing to drive a motor vehicle, a boat operator has no such requirements. They are not required to complete any training, and there are no age restrictions on who can operate a boat. Nonetheless, boaters must abide by various safety regulations and signs that may vary according to the specific waterway.
As a result, some individuals carelessly operate boats due to inexperience or lack of familiarity with a specific waterway. Other common examples of negligence may include:
- Operating a boat after consuming alcohol or drugs
- Failing to take safety precautions such as requiring life jackets and having personal flotation devices on board
- Operating a boat recklessly or failing to pay attention to other vessels, people operating personal watercraft or people in the water
When boat operators are not careful, they can cause collisions with other boats, skiers, personal watercraft, and stationary objects. Boats also may run aground and capsize, leading to injuries, some of which are catastrophic or even fatal. When individuals suffer injuries under these circumstances, they may wish to consult a boat accident attorney in Seminole for advice.
Damages in Boat Accident Claims
When individuals sustain injuries in boat accidents due to negligence, they may be able to seek damages for their losses. While the nature and extent of those damages can vary widely from one case to another, injury victims may be able to recover compensation for damages such as:
- Medical and surgical bills
- Lost wages due to an inability to work
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Boat accident injuries can be devastating and costly. Even when boat operators are liable, however, insurance to pay these costs is not always available. Although drivers must have minimum levels of liability insurance, boat operators do not. As a result, collecting damages may be challenging in some cases.
Reach Out to a Seminole Boat Accident Attorney Today
When another party’s negligent and reckless actions cause a boat collision, they should be held responsible for damages. A knowledgeable Seminole boat accident lawyer could help your case.
With the help of a diligent attorney, you may be eligible to recover compensation for a wide range of damages. Call today to discuss your case and legal options.
