Boat Accident Attorney Dania Beach

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Most Common Injuries After Boating Accidents in Dania Beach, FL

When boating accidents happen, the potential for bodily injuries can be significant. The force of impact, combined with the unpredictable nature of water conditions, can result in a range of injuries that vary in severity. Here are some of the most common types of injuries that can occur due to reckless operation of a boat:

• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injuries
• Back and neck injuries
• Drowning or near-drowning incidents
• Cuts, bruises, and lacerations
• Soft tissue injuries
• Internal injuries
• Electrical and burn injuries
• Hypothermia or cold-related injuries
• Limb amputations
• Whiplash and other neck injuries

Common Causes of Boating Accident Injuries

Whether it’s a canoe, kayak, pleasure craft, or a fishing boat, accidents can happen due to boat safety violations and other factors. Understanding these factors can help you become more aware about your safety while on the boats. In our decades of experience, here are the most commonly occurring situations that lead to boating accidents:

• Failure to operate the boat safely due to lack of attention or skill
• Excessive speed or irresponsible maneuvers on the water
• Operating a boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Ignoring established guidelines and regulations for safe boating
• Adverse weather impacting visibility or sea conditions
• Defective or malfunctioning boat equipment or components
• Striking other vessels, rocks, piers, docks, or debris
• Boat overturning or filling with water (i.e., capsizing or swamping)
• Accidental falls into the water from the boat
• Disruptive behavior or exceeding boat passengers’ capacity
• Neglected upkeep and lack of regular inspections
• Lack of proper boat safety equipment or flotation devices
• Hazards hidden beneath the water’s surface, like submerged objects or shallow water
• Careless operation of the boat due to distracted attention
• Exhaustion leading to impaired judgment and reaction time

Damages for Injuries After Dania Beach Boat Accidents

When you work with our boat accident lawyers, our priority will be to prove liability of the at-fault party for your injuries and the damages you have suffered. To demonstrate the other party’s liability, we need to show that they had a duty to take care of your safety but failed to do so (as a result of which you were injured.) Our legal team will also establish a direct link between their actions and your serious injuries, along with other damages.

If our legal team can successfully prove these essential elements, you may be eligible to receive compensation for:

• Current and future medical bills
• Current and future lost wages
• Pain and suffering caused by the accidents
• Emotional distress
• Loss of companionship
• Funeral expenses (if the accidents resulted in a wrongful death lawsuit)
• Loss of consortium

Our boating accident personal injury attorney will handle your boating accident claim, whether it falls under negligence or product liability. We are skilled boating accident negotiators, and aim to secure favorable outcomes for our clients through settlement discussions. However, if the boating accident insurance company fails to provide a reasonable offer, our experienced attorney will have the resources and determination to take your case to court and present it before a judge and jury.

Florida Boating Rules and Regulations

Since boating is a big part of Florida’s tourism industry, the state has a more relaxed approach compared to others. For example, there is no specific law setting an age limit for boat operators, and neither do you need any special license or training to operate a water vessel here.

Anyone can just rent a boat and set off on the water, even if they lack experience. Notably, state courts usually retain concurrent jurisdiction in practice even when a boating injury claim falls within the purview of the federal court or federal admiralty jurisdiction.

The good news is that most boat companies and rentals have their own age restrictions in place to ensure safety. Florida does specify certain rules to cover different aspects of safe boating, including maintaining a proper lookout, giving way to other vessels, and operating at a safe speed.

Here are some other rules to ensure boat operators’ and passengers’ safety and minimize boating accident risks:

• Boating under the influence (BUI): Similar to driving under the influence, boating under the influence is illegal and poses serious risks. Boaters with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher can be charged with a BUI offense.
• Personal flotation device (PFD) requirements: Florida law mandates the use of PFDs, commonly known as life jackets, for all occupants on board a vessel. The specific requirements depend on factors such as the age of the individual, vessel type, and water conditions.
• Reporting: If you are operating a boat and there was an accident resulting in significant personal injury, wrongful death, disappearance indicating harm, or if the vessel(s) or personal property suffer damage of at least $2,000, it’s crucial to promptly notify either the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the police chief of the municipality where the accident occurred, or the county sheriff where the accident happened.

In boating accident cases, negligence laws come into play to determine liability. If a person operating the boat fails to exercise reasonable care and their careless behavior causes an accident and injuries, they may be held responsible for the damages. Our accident lawyer will use their thorough understanding of the state laws to recover compensation on behalf of the injured victim from the liable parties.

Turn the Tide in Your Favor: Contact Our Boating Accident Attorneys in Dania Beach Today

You are out on the water, enjoying a peaceful day under the sun, only for it to take an unexpected turn because of someone’s negligent actions resulting in boating accidents. However, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone.

At The Law Offices of Scott J Senft, we specialize in boat accident law. South Florida boating accident lawyer Scott J. Senft and his associates have over two decades of extensive experience and deep knowledge of Florida’s maritime regulations, which can make a world of difference in your case. Here is what we will do for you:

• Investigate the circumstances leading up to the incident, any involved parties, potential negligence or recklessness, and any contributing factors
• Gather official accident reports, witness statements, photos or videos of the scene, medical records, and consult with experts like accident reconstruction specialists or medical professionals to solidify your claim
• Investigate whether the responsible party adhered to applicable boating regulations, safety standards, and proper maintenance practices
• Handle all the paperwork, filings, and legal formalities about boat accidents in a timely manner to recover medical care costs, lost wages, and compensation for your pain and suffering

If your case goes to court, our boating accident attorney will fight tooth and nail for your rights, make compelling arguments, and leave no stone unturned in getting you the compensation you deserve. If you have any questions about your boating accidents and wish to speak to a Dania Beach personal injury lawyer in South Florida, give us a call at 954-927-3326 or reach out to us online.