Tampa Boating Accident Attorney
With one of the longest coastlines in the country, it’s no surprise that boating accidents are common in Florida. You also have major cruise ship ports and cargo facilities that can lead to accidents as well. Whether you are on holiday in Florida or a resident, a boating accident can be traumatic. With countless boats, personal watercraft, and jet skis out on the Florida Gulf and the Atlantic Ocean, the risk of an accident increases. If you or someone you love was injured in a Florida boating accident, let the skilled Tampa boating accident attorneys at Moore Law help.
Common Causes of Boating Accidents in Florida
Boating accidents can happen in numerous ways, but there are several causes that we see most often in personal injury claims:
- Inexperienced operator: Someone who doesn’t have enough experience on a boat or who can’t control a jet ski could present a high risk on the water. Inexperience doesn’t relieve these parties of their negligence or responsibility to you after an accident.
- Inattentive Operator: Distracted boating is as common as distracted driving. Boat operators are easily distracted by people on board, other commotion, music, etc. All it takes is a few seconds of looking away to cause an accident.
- No lookout: The need for a lookout is essential, especially on larger boats. Other boat traffic can come from all directions, which is why someone should be watching for any potential dangers.
- Drinking and boating: Alcohol plays a role in numerous boating accidents as well. It may not be the primary cause, but even one drink can slow your reaction time. Someone else may have caused the accident, but the boat operator couldn’t react fast enough because they were reacting slower after a few drinks.
Negligence and Defective Products
In most cases, negligence is the main reason for boating accidents in Florida. However, there are some instances where the primary cause or contributing factor is related to the boat. Product liability cases are common with personal watercraft, jet skis, and boats. If something malfunctions while you are out on the water and causes injury to someone else, the manufacturer could be held liable.
Maritime Laws in Florida
Resolving boat injury claims is complicated, especially if there are federal maritime laws involved. Many people don’t realize that a boating accident on a public waterway in Florida is under federal admiralty jurisdiction. There are different laws for injuries that are in cruise ship accidents. Maritime law cases are specialized, and you need an attorney who understands these cases and has the authority to practice in federal court.
Workers and Crew Injuries
Another potential type of boating accident claim involves injured workers and boat crew rather than recreational passengers. These individuals typically don’t have workers’ compensation coverage. Instead, they may be able to bring a claim under the Jones Act if you are a seaman, or there is also the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act.
Contact a Tampa Boating Accident Attorney
If you or someone you love was injured in a Florida boating accident, don’t fight the insurance companies alone. Let the skilled Tampa boating accident attorneys at Moore Law help. Contact our office today to schedule an initial consultation.
