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The boating and jet ski accident lawyers at the West Palm Beach Law Office of Roger P. Foley provide representation for those victims injured on boats, jet skis or commercial vessels. Our boating and jet ski injury accident attorneys recognize that victims dealing with such injuries can be overwhelmed and are seeking the best boating accident attorneys for their case. Our West Palm Beach boating and jet ski lawyers will start immediately on your accident claims so that you may concentrate on recovering from your injuries. The Law offices of Roger P. Foley are here to assist you. Call us at (561)-746-7076
South Florida is a hot spot for boating enthusiasts. Palm Beach County is known to have some of the wealthiest people among its residences. In fact, Forbes magazine claimed that 44 billionaires live in Palm Beach County. Major cities within Palm Beach County that are known for boating include Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Jupiter, Florida.
Boating is a recreational activity that is enjoyed by people of all ages in Florida. Fishermen may grab a rod and reel and fish their local hotspot. Thrill seekers may find themselves tubing or water skiing. Many boaters find themselves hanging out with other boaters at the local sand bar. Snorkelers anchor their boat and enjoy swimming amongst the varieties of colorful fish. Then there are those that swim deep below the surface, seeking the ultimate adventure, exploring old shipwrecks and marine wildlife. Every single activity on the water brings a level of fun and entertainment but also requires you to be aware of your surroundings.
In Palm Beach County, Florida, while out on the water you will encounter many different types of vessels:
Florida is surrounded by water and there are not only boaters but those that are in a kayak, canoe, paddle board (SUP) or Personal Watercraft ( PWC or Jet ski). With so many activities and size disparities there are bound to be accidents on the water. If involved in a boating or PWC accident contact the lawyers at the Law Office of Roger P. Foley to discuss your maritime injury case. We are available at our main office in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Just like there are traffic laws for automobiles operating on a highway, there are laws for the water ways. Florida statute chapter 327 discusses Vessel Safety. Florida Fish and Wildlife, along with local law enforcement and the coast guard patrol the waters surrounding Florida. With thousands of people enjoying the water, it is essential that everyone follow the rules to minimize accidents in the water. However, if you live in Florida, you understand that there are always people that know better and ignore the laws, thereby jeopardizing other’s safety.
Boating accidents are governed by both state and federal laws, maritime law, depending on where the accident occurred. Consult with a boating accident attorney to determine if you have a meritorious claim and what jurisdiction that claim should be brought so that you acquire compensation for your injuries. Call a Palm Beach County boat or jet ski injury lawyer.
In Florida, you have a maximum of three (3) years to bring legal action for your maritime injury. Like any injury caused by negligence, it is important that you treat and document your injury. Boating accidents differ from car accidents as there may not be as many witnesses available. It is important that photos and videos are taken. Acquire as much information as possible regarding the incident so that you may share it with a West Palm Beach Boat accident or maritime lawyer. If you have any questions, contact our office to discuss your options regarding your Florida boat accident case. Call us today, we offer free, no-obligation consultations! 561-746-7076
Anytime a boat or vessel collides with another personal water craft or a fixed object (dock, sand bar, buoy or channel marker) there is a high risk of serious bodily injury. The impact of the accident may cause the boat to capsize and the passengers to fall overboard.
Proper LookoutThe vessel operator, aka the guy driving the boat is responsible for checking his surroundings. As the driver of the boat, it is important to be on the lookout for other vessels, swimmers and sand bars, because colliding with anything on the water is dangerous. Propeller and run-over accidents are caused by a failure to look out. A propeller accident can cause lacerations and/or dismemberment. Run over accidents may cause serious head and neck injuries, such as spinal injuries or traumatic brain injury. Either of these types of boating accidents may also result in death.
Failure to adhere to Maritime Rules and LawsFailure to understand and properly follow navigation rules can lead to a boating or jet ski accident.
Inexperienced Operator at the helmIn Florida, you must be 14 years of age or older to operate any vessel on the water. With age, comes life experience but regardless of age an inexperienced driver of a boat or jet ski can cause a serious accident.
Exceeding the speed limitSpeeding in your personal water craft can be catastrophic on the water because you can’t hit the brakes like you would in an automobile. Regardless of the vessel you are operating, if speeding, it is easy to lose control and collide with another object causing a serious boat accident.
Passenger Falling OverboardA passenger that falls from the boat or ship is most likely to be fatally injured.
Boating under the Influence (BUI)Anyone that is drunk while driving a boat or jet ski can cause serious bodily injury. Any driver of a boat or jet ski that is found to be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol is subject criminal charges. A boat driver under the influence in Florida is Per Se negligent in a boating accident, meaning that the courts deems them negligent automatically because they were intoxicated).
Marina / Dock AccidentsMarina and Dock accidents are generally caused by a slip and fall, however it can also be caused by a boat colliding with the dock or some other negligence caused by a driver of a boat or PWC. One example, may be when passengers are deboarding and there is a slippery or hazardous obstacle which can result in a slip and fall or a passenger overboard.
Slip and Fall Boating accidentThe owner of a boat, owes a duty to all invitees (guests) to keep the deck clear of debris or anything that could cause a passenger to slip, fall and be injured. Boat decks must have anti-slip decking as water commonly accumulates on the surface of the deck
Commercial Boating AccidentsAny commercial boat or ship that carries passengers has a duty to keep them safe. A commercial boat owner or corporation that owns the vessel may be held liable when injuries to passengers are caused by their negligence.
Cruise ship operators have a duty of care to prevent cruise ship accidents, as well as injuries onboard the vessel.
The largest cruise lines operating in Florida are Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess Cruises, Disney Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and MSC Cruises and they owe each and every passenger a duty of care. Common injury claims include but are not limited to:
Florida boat owners are not required by state law to carry liability insurance. As a result, there may not be an insurance policy to pay out for your injuries and you may have to seek payment from the boat owner directly. A responsible boat owner will likely have a liability policy, however an experienced boat accident attorney will seek out that information.
Boat accident injuries are no different than those received in car accidents with the exception of drowning. Common boating accident injuries include:
Dealing with both physical and emotional injuries from your boating or Jet ski accident can be daunting. As experienced personal injury attorneys we are here to assist you in your boating accident claim. Our consultations are free; please consider our law firm when you have been a victim of boating negligence. Our personal injury office is located at 1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 1555, West Palm Beach, Florida, 33401. Call us at (561)746-7076