Fort Lauderdale Boat Accident Lawyer
As you soak in the warm sun and let your worries melt away when you drift peacefully offshore, the last thing on your mind is being involved in a boating accident. Of course, there are few ways to ruin your vacation faster than a trip to the emergency room, but the reality is that it happens on a daily basis. Fort Lauderdale residents and visitors suffer these accidents often, as Florida had 736 boating accidents in 2013, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. While the roadways are regulated strictly, the oceans are less patrolled and with fewer rules. Boat traffic is high in many areas along the Florida coastline, and people use the ocean for different reasons. The combination of fast, sometimes erratic movements of jet skis, mixed with slower boats trolling for fish can create problems due to the large discrepancies in speeds. Many crashes also occur due to poor knowledge of right of way, alcohol, lack of safety procedures, and inexperienced boat handlers. Whatever the reason for the crash, there is likely a negligent party, just like with car collisions. If you or a loved one was injured in a boat or jet ski crash, don’t let an already ruined vacation or weekend turn into crippling medical bills and debt. You may be owed compensation to cover your medical costs, loss of income, and property damage. Contact an experienced Fort Lauderdale boat accident lawyer today and get started on the path to recovery.
Negligence Is a Common Cause of Boat, Jet Ski, and Other Watercraft Collisions in Fort Lauderdale
It may have been an accident, but that does not mean that there are no guilty parties. We all owe one another a duty of care when we are driving cars or jet skis. When this duty is breached and causes injury or death to another, the negligent party may be held liable for damages. For example, if you are obeying all laws and moving at a reasonable speed on your jet ski, and another jet skier runs into you after driving erratically, the operator of that jet ski could be deemed negligent due to their carelessness. If you were injured due to another’s carelessness or recklessness, don’t hesitate to contact one of our personal injury lawyers to discuss your legal options.
Fort Lauderdale Products Liability
Another cause of watercraft accidents is defective products. Just like individual members of society have a duty of care for one another, so too do businesses, including product manufacturers. All retailers, distributors, and manufacturers have a responsibility to create products that work safely as they were meant to. If a boat’s electrical system was manufactured poorly and resulted in a fire, or if a jet ski propeller disconnects and causes injury, there are grounds to file a product liability claim for compensation of injuries or property damage.
Our Fort Lauderdale Boat Accident Lawyers Are Prepared to Help You
If you Fort Lauderdale boating weekend was spoiled by another person’s careless actions, give us a call today to discuss your options. We can help you seek compensation to help pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Likewise, if your accident was the fault of a poorly designed or manufactured watercraft, we can help guide you to financial recovery. In the state of Florida you have up to four years from the date of the collision to file a claim. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our Fort Lauderdale boat accident lawyers now so we can help you through your time of need. The Pendas Law Firm is prepared to assist you immediately.
