The Tragic Results of Boating Accidents in Florida

Local 10 News has reported that friends, family members and Westminster Christian School students are collectively mourning the death of a fellow student who recently died in a boating accident. The 17-year-old young man was boating with other teenagers in a 23-foot boat off the Florida Keys when it collided with a channel marker and ejected the boat occupants. The young man, who was rushed to the emergency room after being found in the water with trauma to his lower torso, was the only person who incurred injuries in the collision. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead at the hospital a short time later. The high school senior was the captain of the varsity lacrosse team and was reportedly preparing to attend the Universal Technical Institute in Orlando after graduating from high school later this year.

How Dangerous Can Boating Be?

While you may not think about it before stepping aboard a boat for a day of recreational fun and leisure, boating can actually be extremely dangerous and accidents happen more often than you are probably aware of. However, you should be aware of the risks if you have upcoming plans to go boating, especially in Florida. Statistics compiled by the U.S. Coast Guard on reported recreational boating accidents indicate that Florida leads the nation in boating accidents and deaths. In 2018 alone, there were over 600 boating accidents in the Sunshine State, far more than anywhere else in the country.

What Causes Boating Accidents?

Boating accidents can result from a variety of factors, many of which are outside the scope of control of the person who ends up being injured. Some of these accidents are caused by negligence, typically meaning that a driver didn’t operate the boat correctly in one way or another. In other circumstances, accidents result because one of the boat parts or even the boat itself was defective.

Operator errors can include factors such as:

• Speeding
• Drug or alcohol use
• Not paying attention
• Turning too abruptly
• Overloading of gear
• Operator inexperience
• Improper anchoring

Boat defects can include:

• Machinery failure
• Failure of the equipment
• Hull failure

Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney.

Unfortunately, accidents like these happen far too often, especially here in Florida. While nothing can bring back a loved one who has tragically perished or make up for serious injuries, it is important to understand that you may have the right to seek compensation if your injury or loved one’s death was caused by a negligent boat operator or by a defective boat product or part. However, you will likely need to obtain legal help as soon as possible after a boating accident. As the Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm, we will examine the facts of your case and help you hold the responsible parties accountable. Contact us today so we can begin.

The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Orlando, Miami, Ocala, Bradenton, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Fort Myers, Jacksonville and Daytona Beach areas.

Resource:

local10.com/news/local/2020/02/17/westminster-christian-school-students-mourn-lacrosse-player-who-died-in-boat-crash/

https://www.pendaslaw.com/is-a-grocery-store-liable-for-a-customers-injury/