Boating is a popular activity in the sunny state of Florida for both vacationers and locals. Yachts, motorboats, sailboats, rowboats, personal watercraft, and other vessels can be found throughout the state’s numerous waterways and other bodies of water.
Unfortunately, boating accidents do happen, resulting in injuries and deaths to operators, boat passengers, and swimmers in the water. In 2007, the US Coast Guard says that there were 75 boating deaths in Florida, which is an increase from the 68 deaths in 2006. Overall, there were 663 boating accents in the state last year.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, common causes of boating accidents have included:
• Drunk driving
• Operator inattention
• Reckless operation
• Speeding
• Operator inexperience
• Drug use
• Equipment failure
• Passenger or skier behavior
Examples of boating accidents:
• Boat collisions
• Crashing into a fixed object
• Falling overboard
• Capsized vessels
• Sinking
• Explosions and fires
Boating accidents can lead to broken bones, drowning-related injuries, traumatic brain injuries, other serious injuries, and death.
U.S. Coast Guard Reports A Decrease Of Deaths On the Water, US Coast Guard, May 15, 2008
Boating Accident Statistics, US Coast Guard
2007 Boating Accident Statistics, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
From our Miami and West Palm Beach personal injury law offices, David J. Halberg, PA, Attorneys at Law has helped many boating accident victims pursue their financial recovery from negligent parties. Contact us today.