Common Causes of Boat Accident Injuries in Miami, FL

Florida has nearly one million people with registered boats in the state. It’s not surprising then that Florida also has the largest number of boat accidents and injuries of any state in the country. These accidents can result in serious injury and even death.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a boat accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your injuries. The Miami, FL boat accident injury attorneys at Michael F. Guilford can help you recover damages related to a boat accident. In this article, we’ll discuss common causes of boat accident injuries in the state of Florida.

Common causes of boat accidents in the state of Florida 

• Inexperienced boat drivers – Florida requires that all boaters under the age of 25 take a boat safety course in order to legally operate a boat in the state. You must be at least 14 years of age to operate a boat in Florida. No one, however, is required to have a boating license. This occasionally results in unskilled boaters causing injuries to others who are boating or their own passengers.

• Inattentive or distracted boating – Distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents in Florida. The same also applies to boats. There are a myriad of ways to become distracted while operating a boat. The Coast Guard defines inattentive boating as a failure of the boat operator to take account of their surroundings, pay attention to the vessel, or the environment in which the vessel is operating. Failure to pay attention to other boaters on the water can sometimes lead to severe accidents that result in substantial injuries.

• Mechanical failure – Just like the owner of a car, the owner of a boat is responsible for ensuring that their vessel is maintained in good condition. Owners should inspect the boat prior to going out on the water to ensure that it is in good working order. Lack of maintenance can sometimes lead to boating accidents. In these cases, the owner of the boat would be liable for any injuries that occur due to the mechanical failure of the boat. In some cases, the manufacturer of the boat may also be liable if the boat had a design or manufacturing defect.

Proving a boat accident injury claim in Miami, FL 

To establish that a boat operator is liable for your injuries, you must establish negligence. The boat operator owes all of the other boaters and their passengers a duty of care to operate their boat responsibly and safely. They must not operate their boat recklessly and must abide by speed limits. They are responsible for the seaworthiness of the boat and they are responsible for keeping an active lookout for other boaters. If they fail, they can be sued for damages resulting from injuries.

Talk to a Miami, FL Boat Accident Injury Attorney Today 

Michael F. Guilford represents the interests of Miami, FL residents who have been injured in boating accidents. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how we can help.