5 FAQs About Boating Personal Injury Claims
With more than 930,000 registered boats in Florida, safety is a key issue on Florida waterways. Unfortunately, boating accidents in Florida are quite common. According to statistics, the Sunshine State had more than 600 boating accidents in 2018 alone. From those accidents, over 50 people lost their lives, and more than 250 suffered injuries.
If you were involved in a Florida boating accident because of another person’s negligence, you might be eligible for compensation. You deserve to be compensated because no one is ever prepared for the monetary damages that come after an accident. Also, you deserve compensation because of other non-monetary damages that are usually hard to deal with after an accident. If you suffered a severe personal injury in a boating accident, you are most likely in a lot of pain, both physically and psychologically. Because of the pain, you deserve to be compensated.
As much as you can obtain compensation if you were in a boating accident, it is crucial to note that boating personal injury claims are somehow different from other personal injury claims. If you were in a Florida boating accident, you need to understand your legal rights and the issues involved in boating personal injury claims. To help you understand your rights and some of the major issues involved in Florida boating personal injury claims, we answer some of the common questions people usually ask about boating personal injury claims.
Is Seeking Compensation for a Boating Accident the Same As Seeking Compensation for Other Types of Accidents?
Simply put, no. Boating accident claims are not the same as other accident claims. When it comes to boating accident claims, the damages involved often tend to be significant. In return, insurance companies and defendants defend themselves accordingly in an effort to avoid paying enough or get out of paying a plaintiff altogether. The injuries involved in boating accidents are also often complicated. Because of that, plaintiffs usually need to hire medical experts who can talk about their injuries. Additionally, boating accident claims often require individuals to hire experts who understand maritime law and water vessels.
What Is Maritime Law?
Maritime law is commonly practiced in the Sunshine State. It is a law that governs common waters. Maritime law can be invoked when a cruise ship accident, private boating accident, or jet ski accident results in personal injuries. When a lawsuit falls in this area of law, complications can arise. Often, when a case falls in the area of maritime law, questions of where a lawsuit should be filed arise.
Is a Jet Ski Considered a Boat in Florida?
According to Florida Statute 327.02, any vessel that is no more than 15 feet in length, utilizes an inboard motor, which powers a water jet pump as the primary source of motive power and is designed to be operated by an individual sitting, kneeling, or standing on the vessel is known as a personal watercraft or PWC. A jet ski is an example of a personal watercraft. If you sustained a personal watercraft injury, consult an attorney for legal help.
What Are Some of the Common Causes of Boating Accidents?
Most Florida boating accidents are preventable. If you were in a Florida boating accident, the chances are that someone else’s negligence led to your accident. Often, boaters are to blame for boating accidents. However, it is not uncommon to find that other parties are to blame for a plaintiff’s injuries. Manufacturers and rental companies are just two examples of parties that plaintiffs sometimes find liable for injuries.
Some of the things that individuals do that lead to boating accidents include;
- Reckless boating
- Over speeding
- Boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failing to address fire hazards
- Allowing minors to operate vessels
- Poor boat maintenance
Do I Need an Attorney for a Florida Boating Accident Claim?
You need a personal injury attorney for any personal injury claim, including a boating accident personal injury claim. When it comes to a boating accident claim, an attorney can help explain to you the complex laws governing boating accidents. An experienced attorney can help you prove negligence. With the help of an attorney, you can accurately calculate the amount you deserve for your injuries. Additionally, a skilled attorney has the skills to deal with cunning insurance companies and defendants and aggressively pursue your claim on your behalf. If you try to handle a Florida boating accident claim without an attorney, you risk receiving less than you deserve.
Contact a Qualified Florida Personal Injury Attorney for Help
While you have acquired some vital information about boating accident claims from this article, there is a lot more you need to know. To get more information or if you need help with your boating accident claim, contact the Naples boating accident attorneys at The Law Office of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A. at 239-649-8050 today.
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