Florida Boat Accident Lawyer

Florida leads the nation in boating accidents, many of which leave victims with permanent and severe injuries. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a boat crash, you could be facing significant losses such as medical bills and lost time from work. Fighting for the compensation you need requires a dedicated attorney with the necessary experience to handle these complex cases.

Count on Levin Litigation to stand up for you after someone else’s negligence has caused your injuries. We understand the unique aspects of Florida boating accidents and we have the tenacity it takes to advocate for the rights and interests of our clients. Find out why so many accident victims trust our seasoned legal counsel.

How Our Boat Accident Lawyers in Hollywood Can Help

When you hire our Hollywood boat accident attorneys, we’ll get to work by launching a thorough investigation to determine how the crash happened, who’s responsible, and what evidence we’ll need to prove it. We handle every aspect of the legal process, from filing paperwork to negotiating with insurers to preparing for trial if needed.

Boating accidents can involve complex laws, including federal maritime rules and Florida statutes, and not every personal injury lawyer knows how to navigate both. We do. Our team understands the legal nuances, knows how to build strong cases backed by expert analysis, and won’t let insurance companies downplay what you’ve lost.

What Damages Can You Pursue Through a Boat Accident Lawsuit?

Every boat crash in Florida is different, as are the types of damages you may be eligible to recover. Injured victims can generally seek compensation for some, if not all, of the following:

• Medical expenses: This category covers ambulance care, hospitalization, surgery, prescription medication, physical rehabilitation, and reasonably projected future medical costs.
• Long-term care: In the event that you are permanently disabled due to your injuries, you can claim compensation for your long-term care needs.
• Lost income: If you must miss work while recovering from your injuries, you can ask for compensation to cover the earnings you lose as a result.
• Lost earning ability: If your boat accident injuries are so severe that you can’t work, you can ask for compensation for the money and benefits you will likely miss out on in the future.
• Non-economic damages: Included in this category are subjective losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and disfigurement.
• Property damage: You can also include compensation for the damage or destruction of your boat or other property.

The exact value of these and other damages will depend on a number of factors that are unique to your case, including:

• How severe your injuries are
• What types of medical treatment and long-term care you may need
• The amount of work you miss
• Whether and to what extent you can return to work
• The seriousness of your pain, suffering, and other non-economic losses
• The degree, if any, of fault you shared for the accident

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Boat Accident in Florida?

Understanding who exactly caused your accident is critical to recovering the compensation you need. The more at-fault parties that are identified, the more likely it is for you to recover a significant sum in either court or through settlement. Potentially liable parties include:

• Boat operators
• Boat owners
• Charter and rental companies
• Boat manufacturers (including parts manufacturers)
• Passengers
• Mechanics and repair shops
• Government entities

Our Firm Has Experience With Many Common Types of Boat Accidents

There are, unfortunately, many ways in which boat operators and others can negligently cause an accident leading to injury. Levin Litigation is experienced with all types of boat accidents in Florida, including those resulting from:

• Inattention: Distracted boating, or failure to pay attention, is a leading cause of injury, and just a split-second lack of focus can be fatal.
• Speeding: Operating a boat at excessive speeds can cause not only an accident but one that seriously injures the victim.
• Reckless operation: This may include various behaviors like disregarding buoys and warning signs and operating the boat in an unsafe area.
• Boating under the influence: As with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, this sort of conduct can cause delayed reaction times, lack of focus, and catastrophic injury.
• Capsizing: Uneven weight distribution or overloading the boat with too many people may cause the vessel to capsize.
• Defective boats and parts: The manufacturer of the boat, or its various parts, could have used a poor design or installed the part incorrectly.
• Poor maintenance and repairs: Mechanics and repair shops who do subpar maintenance and other work on boats can be liable for one’s injuries.
• Improper lookout: The boat operator should keep a lookout for other boats, rocks, debris, people in the water, and other hazards that can cause a collision.
• Operator inexperience: An inexperienced operator will not know the laws and rules concerning boating, or what to do in an emergency situation.

The Boat Accident Injury Claim Process: What to Expect

Winning compensation after a boat injury requires careful investigative work, application of the law, and a comprehensive strategy aimed at putting your needs first. When you retain us to represent you, we immediately get to work by:

• Investigating the facts and acquiring evidence: We examine accident reports, eyewitness statements, photographic and video recordings, and more to gain a full picture of how and why the accident happened.
• Identifying the at-fault parties: When it comes to determining who may be held liable for your boating accident injuries, we do our homework to identify all potentially at-fault parties and name them in a lawsuit.
• Filing and serving the lawsuit: Once we have the basic facts and evidence, we file the lawsuit and serve it on the defendants in accordance with applicable court rules and rules of civil procedure.
• Conducting discovery: This is the formal process of requesting and exchanging information and documents concerning the accident, which helps us acquire additional evidence and refine our legal strategy.
• Negotiating with the at-fault parties’ insurance companies: Many boating accident lawsuits can be settled out of court by way of informal negotiations or the more formal mediation process, and we handle both of these.
• Consulting expert witnesses: As necessary, we consult expert witnesses who have specialized technical knowledge about various aspects of your case, such as how the accident happened and what impact it has on your future earning ability.
• Taking your case to court: If your case cannot be settled in a reasonable and fair amount for you, we will be prepared to take your matter to trial and demand the maximum damages available under the law.

Florida Boating Accident Statistics

Florida consistently tops all other states in terms of boat accidents and boating fatalities, due to the ample amount of coastal waters and inland waterways. These are a few key statistics you should know.

How Many Boat Accidents Are There Per Year in Florida?

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, in 2024, there were 632 boating incidents in Florida, 70 of which caused death and 241 of which caused non-fatal injuries. Seventy-five people lost their lives while 370 individuals were injured. These numbers have held fairly constant: In 2023, for instance, there were 619 total incidents (54 were fatal and 243 caused non-fatal injuries), 56 deaths, and 368 individuals who were injured.

What Are the Primary Causes of Boating Accidents in Florida?

The causes of boat accidents can be categorized as follows:

• Unsafe boat operation: Among the top causes, from most to least frequent, are inattention, improper lookout, inexperience, violating navigation rules, excessive speed, and alcohol use.
• Loading of passengers or gear: The main causes are improper loading, improper anchoring, people on the gunwale (bow or transom), and overloading.
• Boat or equipment failure: Machinery failure is by far a leading cause, followed by hull failure and equipment failure.
• Dangerous environment: Poor weather tops the list, followed closely by hazardous waters and wave/wake force.

What is the Leading Cause of Death in Boating Accidents in Florida?

Falling overboard and drowning is the primary cause of death in Florida boating accidents, and failure to wear a life jacket often plays a role in these incidents. Among other causes are excessive speeding, alcohol use, and inexperience, all of which contribute to deadly boating accidents.

Staying Safe on the Water: Tips to Avoid Boat Accidents

The best way to avoid an accident is to make sure you follow a few basic safety rules. When you’re in a boat, be sure that you:

• Wear a life jacket
• Avoid operating the boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Check the weather before leaving the dock
• Have life preservers for all passengers and yourself
• Perform a pre-departure safety check

What to Do If You’re Involved in a Florida Boat Accident

Taking quick action after a boating accident can protect your health and your legal rights. We recommend that you do the following:

• Obtain first aid immediately for any noticeable injuries, but ensure that you and all passengers see a doctor, regardless, in case of unknown injuries.
• Report the accident as soon as possible to the appropriate authorities.
• Take pictures and record video of the accident scene, including the damage done to your boat and the environmental conditions.
• Follow all medical advice your doctor gives you and see any specialists to whom you are referred.
• Get copies of all medical bills, police accident reports, repair estimates, and anything that documents your personal losses or expenses related to the accident.
• Speak with our boat injury lawyers in Hollywood to understand your next steps.

If You’ve Suffered From a Boating Injury, Talk to Our Hollywood Boat Accident Lawyers

After being in a boating accident, your main objectives are protecting your health and making sure that you’re fairly compensated for any damages you’ve experienced. Turn to the team at Levin Litigation. We’re ready to review the facts surrounding your accident, explain your rights and legal options, and get to work for you. Get in touch with a Hollywood boat accident lawyer from our team today.