According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida leads the nation in the number of annual boating accident fatalities, with Miami-Dade County leading Florida State. While less than ten percent of boating accidents result in fatalities, more than half of those occur because of capsizing and falls overboard, with 90% of those victims drowning. Of those who did drown, 86% were not wearing a life jacket.
Statistics show that the majority of Florida boating accidents are caused by operator inexperience or inattention. 84% of all boating fatalities happen where boat operators have not completed a boating safety education course. Boating accidents are also caused by boat operators who lack experience, recklessness/careless boat operation, operator inattention, operating at an unsafe speeds, no proper lookout, overcrowding, and operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. In all of these situations legal help is crucial so you may recover any damages that you are due.
If you are involved in a ship or boating accident and may be injured, seek medical attention immediately. In addition, if the monetary damage to the vessel appears to be $500 or more, you are required to report the accident to the police or to coastal authorities. After reporting the accident, it is advisable that you speak with the Leesfield & Partners Miami, Florida boating accident attorneys to learn about your legal entitlements.
Our Miami, Florida boating accident lawyers strive to achieve the best possible results for your particular case. If it is possible to achieve better results in a settlement, our legal team will work toward a settlement. If better results can be achieved by taking your boating accident case to trial, we will fight diligently for you.
In a boating accident which resulted in the amputation of minor plaintiff's leg, Leesfield & Partners obtained a substantial settlement for the negligent supervision of boating activities. In a wrongful death boating accident case, our boating accident attorneys obtained a large award for burns resulting from the explosion of ammonium nitrate, fertilizer and gasoline aboard the defendant's vessel. We established that the vessel was not seaworthy and the crew inadequately trained. We recently settled a Florida boating accident case which resulted in the untimely death of a 20 year old passenger for $1,325,000. For a complete list of the firm's representative results, go to our Verdicts and Settlements section.
To contact one of our experienced boating accident lawyers call our Miami, Florida law office today at 800-836-6400 or click here for a free and full case evaluation. We can help.