Fort Lauderdale Boating Accident Lawyer

Fort Lauderdale Boating Accident

Boating accidents can cause serious injuries. Myriad circumstances change the dynamics of how your boating accident attorney can handle your case. There are specific time limitations for reporting boating accidents. Reporting your Fort Lauderdale boating accident in time will help you bring action against those responsible for your boating accident injuries.

If you were injured because of your employer’s recklessness while working on a vessel, your claim would fall under the Jones Act, which outlines the times, limitations, and laws determining your case.

Call Tucker Law today to speak with an experienced boat accident attorney in Fort Lauderdale. Similar to motor vehicle accidents, a Fort Lauderdale boat accident attorney can assist you in getting the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Boating Laws

Boating accident claims can involve aspects of Florida and federal maritime law. This makes watercraft accidents particularly complex. As a result, it is important that victims choose a lawyer with experience working with Florida law and handling boating accidents in Florida’s inland and coastal waters.

Florida boating laws share some similarities with other vehicle mandates. However, a Fort Lauderdale boat accident can also have some major differences. Cars and trucks must take care and drive responsibly at all times, and so too must boat operators. If drivers or boating captains fail to operate their vehicles responsibly, the at-fault boat operator can be found negligent.

If you’re able to prove negligence when your accident occurred, then a personal injury attorney can help you recover compensation for your injuries.

Unlike cars and other motor vehicles, personal watercraft do not need to be insured by a boat insurance company to be registered in Broward County and the rest of Florida. However, most boating policies are “all-risk” policies, meaning that they cover many situations with the exception of certain exclusions.

Florida maritime laws state that any person over the age of 14 can operate a boat on the state’s waterways. Anyone operating a boat has the legal duty to be careful on the waterways they travel. Since certain waterways fall under Florida State’s jurisdiction and others are ruled under federal law, a Fort Lauderdale boat accident attorney can explain both state and federal maritime laws.

What Causes Boat Accidents in Fort Lauderdale, FL?

There are several causes of boat accidents in Fort Lauderdale. Most boating accidents are caused by the following:

• Collisions with another boat or submerged object
• Excessive speed
• Falling overboard
• Sinking or capsizing
• Fires and explosions
• Boat malfunctions
• Defective parts
• Distracted operation of a boat
• Alcohol or drug impairment

Your case might be subject to maritime or state laws depending on where it occurred. The experienced Fort Lauderdale boating accident lawyer at Tucker Law can help you prepare your boat accident claim.

Fort Lauderdale Boat Accident Liability

Boat accident liability generally depends on the circumstances of the incident. If two boats collide, one or both operators involved may share responsibility.

Other parties and factors commonly at fault for boating accidents injuries include:

• Boat operators who are inexperienced, aggressive, distracted, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Boat rental companies and owners who fail to provide safety features like life jackets or fire extinguishers
• Boat manufacturers or designers who sell defective parts that lead to equipment failure
• Passengers acting negligently by pushing someone, causing a fire on the vessel, or preventing a boat operator from satisfying their duties

Many boat accidents involve operators and passengers who criminally disregard the safety of others or commit non-criminal boating law violations. If common injuries occur because the responsible party ignores the law or other posted restrictions, the boat accident lawyer from Tucker Law can offer assistance.

Boat Accident Lawsuit Statute of Limitations in Florida

Florida Statutes §95.11 gives you four years from the date of your boating accident to file your lawsuit in civil court. That same statute also mandates wrongful death lawsuits, which stipulates that you have two years from the date of your loved one’s passing to file.

Florida Statutes §95.050 can extend how long you have to file your lawsuit, but you should not make any assumptions without confirming with a seasoned boat accident lawyer first. The more time that passes between now and your boating accident, the fewer options you have. The boat accident lawyer at Tucker Law can help you file your Florida injury claim right away.

What Kind of Damages Are Available?

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Division of Law Enforcement, Florida had 836 boating accidents in 2020, which is 113 more accidents than in 2019 – a 16% increase.

When someone else causes your accident, you may be entitled to the following:

• Economic damages, which compensate for the financial losses you suffered.
• Non-economic damages to compensate for the personal losses you suffered.
• Punitive damages, which may be awarded by a court to punish egregious conduct and reckless disregard for human life.

Victims of boating accidents or any other accident can recover compensation for the following:

• Property damage
• Medical bills, including future medical expenses
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Emotional distress
• Disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life

If you’ve suffered losses, you should be compensated for your injuries. If your loved one was killed in a boating accident, surviving family members can be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death claim. The right boat accident lawyer can help you determine what your case is worth and help to recover the damages you’re entitled to under the law.

What Is My Boat Accident Case Worth?

The value of any personal injury case is dependent on the following:

• The amount of insurance coverage available
• Whether you contributed to your accident
• The permanence, type, and severity of your injuries
• Whether you can return to work
• Whether you need long-term medical care
• The circumstances of the accident

Why Do You Need to Hire a Boating Accident Attorney?

A boating accident can be life-altering. If you were hurt due to a negligent boat operator, you have the right to seek compensation for the damages you sustained. A boating accident attorney can do the following:

• Offer guidance and legal advice to help you make informed decisions
• Handle all paperwork and communications
• Investigate your accident to gather crucial evidence
• Work with specialists to accurately value your damages
• Fight back against attempts to blame you for your accident
• Negotiate on your behalf for a fair settlement

Call Tucker Law to schedule a consultation with a boat accident lawyer who is ready to help