Tampa Boat Accident Lawyer
You may have been conditioned from a young age to fear them, but sharks are not what is going to cause you harm off the coast of Tampa. According to Oceana, shark attacks account for just 4.2 fatalities per year, worldwide. In the five year period from 2006 to 2010, there were 110 shark attacks in Florida and just one fatality. Just like driving down the interstate, the dangers that exist are human. There were 64 boating fatalities in Florida in 2014, the most of any state by a large margin, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Human-caused collisions are a real problem in Florida’s warm waters, as the waterways offer few regulations and even fewer regulators. Kayakers meandering slowly along the shoreline have to share the same space with jet skis approaching 60 miles an hour, often operated by tourists or enthusiasts with little experience and even less comprehension of the damages they can cause to others and themselves. Commercial fishing and shipping vessels, just like semi trucks, create hazards for smaller watercraft, while a general lack of understanding among many boaters of the rules and right of way in the ocean, causes confusion and poor decision making. Accidents on the water can happen at slow or fast speeds and still present a life and death situation for all involved, as the threat of drowning, especially when more than a few hundred meters from the shore, is always present.
The majority of boating accidents that involve fatalities are caused by operator inattention, excessive speed, intoxication, improper lookout, and operator inexperience. The main cause of drowning deaths? Not wearing a life jacket. If you have been injured in a boating accident, or a loved one lost their life due to another’s carelessness or inexperience, that party needs to be held responsible. Contact an experienced Tampa boat accident lawyer at once.
Steps to Take to Minimize Boating Accidents, Injuries, and Fatal Drownings
To ensure your safety out on the water, take the following precautions when you are on a motorized boat or personal watercraft, such as a jet ski:
- Stay within the speed limit and within your own level of ability;
- Wear a lifejacket at all times, or, if on a large vessel, make sure there are life jackets available for every occupant within easy access in case of an emergency;
- Never drink and drive a boat, which, like on land, is illegal while operating a motorized vessel; and
- If you are operating a boat with multiple occupants, enlist the help of a “lookout” to keep a watch on your surroundings. Unlike driving a car, where the majority of vehicles are either going parallel or perpendicular to you, boats and jet skis go every which direction and, with no particular destination in mind, rarely take straight lines of travel.
Contact our Experienced Tampa Boat Accident Lawyers Today
If you were involved in a boat or jet ski accident and suffered injuries, or a member of your family suffered an injury, call The Pendas Law Firm today at 1-844-200-0000 to talk with one of our experienced Tampa boat and jet ski lawyers about your legal options to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. We will help you throughout each step of your case toward recovery.
