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When fun in the sun goes wrong
Recreational boating is a common activity enjoyed by many in our state. In fact, in 2020 Florida led the country in both the number of registered recreational vessels and the number of boating accidents. Unfortunately, the statistics reveal that oftentimes, what starts out as a fun day on the water in the Sunshine state can turn dangerous quickly.
If you have been injured in a boating accident in Miami, it is important to have legal representation on your side to ensure that you receive compensation for your injuries.
According to NOAA, Florida is the state with the longest coastline other than Alaska with almost 8,500 miles bordering both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Of Mexico. Unsurprisingly, all that coast line means lots of recreational boaters on the state’s numerous waterways. In fact, Florida leads the nation with a total number of 985,005 registered vessels according to the state’s Fish & Wildlife Commission. But wherever there is boating, there are almost certainly going to be boating accidents.
In fact, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, Florida lead the nation in 2019 with 679 reported recreational boating accidents, more than double the number in California, the second highest state on the list. Notably, both states are in the top five of states with the highest number of registered recreational boating vessels.
Florida’s Fish & Wildlife Commission that is responsible for overseeing the state’s territorial waters show that in 2020, the rate of injury in recreational boating accidents was 54 injuries per 100,000 registered vessels. That translates into nearly 540 accidents every year with the nearly one million registered vessels in the Sunshine state. Clearly, boating in the Sunshine State is not always the “fun in the sun” it is made out to be on TV.
Unlike the operators of cars, trucks, buses, and even motorcycles, anyone that can afford to buy or rent a boat is legally allowed to operate a recreational vessel in Florida’s waterways. ANYONE!
Unsurprisingly, the freedom to boat on Florida’s waterways comes at a heavy cost for locals. In fact, in 2020, there were over 10,000 citations issued by the Fish & Wildlife Commission to Floridian Boaters for negligently operating their respective vessels. This includes citations for careless or reckless operation of their vessel; failure to have basic safety equipment; failure to have effective and visible lighting mechanisms on the vessels; renting a boat to customers without any training or guidance as to even the most basic rules of the waterways, such as which channels are passable by motorboats; and other public safety rules.
It should come as no surprise then that on average, almost two people are hurt every single day of the year somewhere on Florida’s waterways. Boating accidents can occur for a number of reasons:
Moreover, recreational boating accidents that result in personal injuries in Florida stem from common types of boating accidents or violations that include:
Vessel collisions accounted for over a quarter of accidents that caused personal injuries in Florida’s waters. At least 9 individuals suffered fatal injuries after accidents involving towed watersports including water skiing and tubing and an additional 37 individuals were injured in similar type accidents. Moreover, more than half of the state’s total number of recreational boating fatalities are attributed to drowning.
Hundreds of citations are issued every year by the state’s maritime authorities to boaters that have failed to comply with minimum safety requirements including dive flag violations. Boaters in the state of Florida are required to display a stiff, dive flag that is visible by passers by to alert them to the vulnerable diver’s presence in the water. Inattention or ignorance often leads to ignored warnings that directly endanger the lives of swimmers of all ages in state waters.
Our Florida boating accident attorneys have seen it all. We are well-versed in federal maritime law and have represented boating accident survivors and their families for decades. We help them not only obtain compensation, but also justice. Operators, occupants, and passengers of the other vessel who were injured due to a boater’s negligence are entitled to compensation for damages. These damages can include medical bills, lost wages, property damage, as well as pain and suffering related to the accident. At Delgado Trial Attorneys, we have a successful track record representing personal injury victims and litigating the most complex accident cases.
At Delgado Trial Attorneys, we provide free legal consultations, giving you a comprehensive overview when it comes to recovering damages in your case. We make sure our clients understand the process to eliminate unnecessary stress and anxiety. This is especially true for first time accident victims unfamiliar with the adversarial nature of filing a claim. We believe in ensuring our clients understand exactly what lies ahead, providing them the peace of mind they need for recovery and treatment while we fight for their rights. Call us today at (305) 596-7911 and speak with an experienced Miami boating accident attorney for a free consultation. Virtual sign-ups available.
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