Consult With A Knowledgeable Lawyer After A Boating Accident
Florida is famous for its incredible emerald waterways and bright sunshine. Whether you live here or you’re visiting our shores as a guest, chances are you and your family have been on or in an ocean, lake, gulf or river for recreation. On virtually every warm holiday weekend, Florida’s sandy white beaches are dotted with tourists and locals soaking in the rays and riding the waves.
Though it’s fun to sail, ski and go wave running, waterways are like highways. Navigating them takes skill, care and careful observance of certain safety precautions if you’d like to avoid a catastrophe.
Types Of Vessels And Common Injuries
Watercraft such as the following carry their own set of risks when in use, just like cars, trucks and motorcycles:
- Cruise ships
- Speed boats
- Pontoon boats
- Sailboats
- Personal watercraft
- Fishing boats
There are mechanical precautions to consider. Oil and gasoline leaks could trigger an explosion or at least make it difficult to return from the voyage in a timely manner.
Boating accidents can leave victims with serious and lasting injuries, such as traumatic brain injury, paraplegia, quadriplegia, skull fractures, lacerations from propellers or other equipment, broken bones, amputations, dislocations or burns.
Who Is Legally Responsible For The Boat?
In the state of Florida, a vessel’s captain (or official driver) is legally liable for the safety of each soul on board.
When you consider variables like weather, the condition of the surf, the condition of the boat and the skill it takes to navigate a ship around bridges, docks, rock formations, other ships and people in the water, it’s best to have someone who is highly trained and experienced behind the helm. A negligent boater may have caused your accident. We can hold them accountable.
Compensation For Injuries Caused By Accidents On Water
The Law Office of Craig Gibbs represents the victims of all kinds of boating and watercraft-related accidents and collisions. If you suffered an injury while traversing a Florida waterway, in certain circumstances, you could be eligible to collect monetary damages.
We will use everything at our disposal to investigate the circumstances of your case, review each detail, and assess the current and ongoing severity of your injuries. We will meet with you personally and work with you to build an airtight case against the negligent, at-fault parties. This includes pursuing a settlement or jury award to cover your lost wages, hospital expenses, future surgeries, ongoing care, medical equipment, medications, and pain and suffering.
When Boating Accidents Are Fatal
If your loved one died in a boating accident, your family may be entitled to additional damages to cover hospital expenses, burial and funeral costs, loss of companionship, support and services, and loss of earning potential (if the family member was an income provider). We’ve successfully represented many surviving families in wrongful death claims and lawsuits.
Free Initial Consultation
If you were hurt on a Florida waterway, please take a moment to call us at 904-396-4499 or fill out the simple contact form on this site. We will review your case, offer an honest assessment and provide you with outstanding legal representation.
We are conveniently located just across the Main Street Bridge upstairs in the Hanania building, overlooking the beautiful St. Johns River on the south bank of downtown Jacksonville.
