Articles Posted in Boating Accidents

As the weather gets warmer and more mild, many boating enthusiasts take the opportunity to indulge in some boating. Whether you are heading out in a yacht or a speedboat, however, it is important to review boating safety. Above all, you will want to ensure that you:

1) Take proper boating safety instruction. Boating instruction can help you become a safer boater. Even if you already have basic boating instruction, you may wish to take some refresher courses before taking out your boat for the first time. This will help ensure that you know what to do in an emergency.

2) Avoid boating and drinking. Just as alcohol can cause drunk driving accidents, it can also impair judgment and lead to boating accidents. Many fatal boating accidents each year occur because someone in charge of a boat was intoxicated. Do not let this happen to you. In addition to alcohol, be wary of other controlled substances. Even prescribed and over-the-counter medications can make you drowsy and can make you unsafe on the water. Check labels and speak to your pharmacist.

Each year, far too many boating accidents in Florida claim lives and cause serious brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and other serious injuries. In many cases, injuries and even some fatalities could be prevented with the correct use of life jackets. Now that spring has come, more people will be enjoying Florida’s waterways. It’s a good time to reflect on the importance of life jackets.

Today’s life jackets are lighter and more flexible than past models, so that they are more comfortable to wear. If you avoid wearing a life jacket because your current jacket restricts movement, consider one of the newer jackets. It could save your life. A new life jacket costs around sixty dollars and could be one of the best investments you make.

The newer jacket models come in two styles. One fits over the shoulders like a pair of suspenders. The other wraps around the waist like a large belt. Both allow for more mobility of the torso and the arms than older models. Non-swimmers and children, however, should wear regular life jackets (not the inflatable kind).

Generally, if you think you might need a Florida personal injury attorney because you have been in a boating accident, you generally do need an attorney. In fact, most people who have sustained personal injury as a result of a boating accident need a good attorney. This is because when you have been in a boating accident, you will be dealing with insurance providers. Without legal help, you may not have the negotiation skills to get your claim considered in a speedy and fair manner. A Florida personal injury attorney can help you:

1) Minimize the financial impact of the accident. Boating accidents do not just cause spinal cord injuries and serious personal injuries; they also cause financial injuries. After an accident, you may have large medical bills to cover and you may need to repair or even replace your boat. An attorney can ensure that these costs do not come from your own pocket.

2) Get excellent medical care. An attorney can help ensure that you have the financial resources to get all the medical care you need to make the fullest recovery possible. For example, if you have sustained burn injury as a result of a boat accident, an attorney can seek help so that you can afford reconstructive surgeries. If you need long term physical therapy, an attorney can ensure that you get these treatment as well. Without an attorney’s help, you may find that insurance providers consider many treatments “optional” and therefore not covered.

Now that many visitors are arriving in Florida for vacations and Florida residents are taking their own breaks from work, renting a personal watercraft has become the thing to do. At this time of year, rentals of boats are big business, but many rental companies are worried about accidents. Many rental companies don’t even rent boats to those below the age of 22, citing safety hazards. Many rental companies refuse to rent to young boaters because the majority of accidents that occur with rental boats occur within that age bracket.

Some rental companies are willing to take the risk, but would-be boaters need to be aware that 16 and 17-year-olds usually need a parent’s signature in order to rent a boat. In Florida, if you are under 22 years of age and want to rent a boat, you first need to complete a boater safety course. This involves watching an instructional video and passing a multiple-choice test. Once you have passed the test, you can have a permit that is valid for up to one year. With this permit, you can rent a boat and take it on the water.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee notes that these rules are in place since most accidents occur because boat renters do not understand how to safely operate personal watercraft. Many rented boats are very fast and boaters lose steering when they take off the throttle. Those renters who are not familiar with jet driven boats often lose control, and according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee, many boat accidents involving rented boats are off-throttle accidents.

Florida’s coastlines and many rivers and lakes make it an ideal place for boating. There are many boating enthusiasts across the state, and while the majority of them obey the laws and boat safely, there are still many preventable boating accidents that occur each year. These accidents can cause property damage damaged, fatalities, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, drowning, broken limbs, and many other types of injuries. In many cases, boating accidents involve alcohol or other forms of negligence and therefore lead to complicated legal cases as well. You can help provoke boating accidents by:

1) Learning all you can before you get on the water. Taking a boating safety course is an excellent way to learn more about the rules of the waterways and safe boating techniques. Learning about your craft and learning how to operate it safely are key ways to ensure that you and everyone around you stay safe in the water.

2) Boating in good weather, especially if you’re just a beginner. If you are new to boating, it makes sense to stay on the water only when the weather is favourable and high visibility is possible. This will help prevent any possible accidents due to poor visibility, rough waters, and other environmental factors.

3) Wear personal flotation devices or life jackets at all times. This is simply the easiest way to ensure that you do not fall victim to drowning. Carry extra life jackets and personal flotation devices on board your craft, and ensure that every passenger who climbs aboard wears one from the time he or she gets on the boat to the time he or she disembarks.

4) Stay sober. The motion of a boat, the strong wins, and the tiredness that many boaters feel is only heightened by alcohol and other controlled substances. This means that even very small amounts of alcohol can impair you while you’re behind the wheel of your craft. Avoid having any form of alcohol or controlled substance before you head on the water, and check your prescription medication carefully to ensure that it does not make you feel drowsy or sleepy.

5) Boat safely. Some boaters take risks, such as speeding near swimmers, boating very close to other vessels, jumping waves, or weaving through boat traffic at high speeds. All of these can result in legal penalties, and if you cause an accident while taking such risks you will be liable for any damages or injuries you cause.

6) Stay alert to the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning. Swimming or being near areas where boat engine exhaust accumulates can result in carbon monoxide poisoning. Leaving your motor idling, or cooking or heating with fuels can also create a build-up of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide has no odor, taste, or color. It is a good idea to install carbon monoxide detectors on board and use fuel-burning appliances on board only on deck or somewhere where good ventilation is available.

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Florida boating accidents not only claim lives every year, but they also cause many injuries injuries, ranging from brain injuries, burn injuries, fractured limbs, spinal cord injuries, and even permanent disability. You can often prevent a boating accident simply by following these tips before you head out on the water:

1) Check your personal flotation devices and life jackets to ensure that they are in good condition. There should be no tears, broken straps, broken snaps, or rips anywhere on your life jackets or flotation devices. If there are any equipment issues, make sure that you replace the items rather than heading out onto the water. Also, make sure that all personal flotation devices are close to you and ready to be used. Avoid locking them away in compartments or sealing them in plastic bags, as you will lose precious time if there is an accident. Also, make sure that you are wearing a life jacket on your boat as soon as you enter the water.

2) If your boat has a closed compartment or a motor, make sure that you have a fire extinguisher on board. Before you head out on the water, make sure that you can easily reach the fire extinguisher if needed, and make sure that the fire extinguisher is in good working order.

3) Before your boat leaves the dock, test your boat lights. If your lights are battery-operated, make sure that there are extra batteries on board. Even if you plan on being back before dark, it is a good idea to get into the habit of testing your boat lights. Sometimes, unexpected events may change your plans and you don’t want to be stranded out on the water without adequate lighting.

4) Check the weather reports before leaving the house. Make sure that there are no lightning flashes, choppy waters, or sudden wind shifts, all of which can indicate a storm. Make sure that you have a portable radio on board so that you can listen for the latest weather report. Be ready to head back to shore at the first sign of a storm.

5) Check to make sure that you have a good emergency kit on board. This kit should include first aid supplies, maps, and flares. Ideally, keep your first aid emergency kit in a floating couch that is easily accessible even if your boat is capsized.

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Many Florida boat enthusiasts are very responsible on the waterways and therefore assume that they are quite safe on the water. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Even if you are a very careful boater, other Florida boaters who do not take boating laws and restrictions seriously can end up costing you your health and even your life. Each year, injuries and fatalities occur on Florida’s waterways due to negligence and irresponsibility. Impaired boaters are a leading cause of accidents. Untrained boaters are also very likely to cause boating accidents that can lead to drowning, fire, spinal cord injuries, death, broken limbs, brain injuries, and many other serious injuries.

Commercial boats are required by law to have trained crew members as well as safety equipment. However, not all Florida commercial boaters follow these rules. In case of a boating accident, a commercial boat breaking these rules can find itself without the equipment to save its passengers and without a crew that can minimize injuries. Tragically, commercial boats tend to carry larger numbers of passengers than private boats, meaning that more lives are at risk.

If you are in a boating accident, your first priority should be to help yourself and anyone else in the boat get to safety. Call the paramedics and authorities right away. If anyone is injured, they will need medical help. Even if someone is not injured, the authorities will want to know about possible environmental damage as well as any possible criminal activities (such as drinking while operating a boat) that are taking place.

Once everyone is safe, you should exchange contact information not only with any other boaters involved, but also with any witnesses and with passengers who were involved in the accident. This is important in order to secure information for insurance purposes and to ensure that any investigations that need to occur can occur with at least some information in place. If you can, be sure to take photos to document damages and injuries. Exchange insurance and boat registration information with all boaters involved.

Be sure to report the boat accident to your insurance company. However, avoid signing any documents up front. Instead, consult a qualified Florida attorney who has experience with boating accident claims. In cases where someone was negligent or reckless, especially, a good Florida attorney can investigate and document the circumstances surrounding the boat accident. He or she can help ensure that those injured get the compensation needed to pay for all medical expenses. This can literally mean the difference between excellent care and inadequate medical attention.

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Experts are worried about the higher-than-average number of Florida boating accidents this year. The state recently saw its 25th water fatality of the year when a Sanford man was involved in a fatal boating accident on St. Johns River this past week. The man’s personal watercraft collided with another boat, and Christopher J. Lydon, passed away from the injuries. Although Lyndon was given immediate medical assistance, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) investigators are still investigating the accident but are pointing to this latest incident as part of a growing trend. FWC boating law administrator Capt. Richard Moore has stated that if current rates of boating accidents continue, this year could be one of the most deadly years for boating accidents in the last 15 years.

Reports suggest that a majority of boating accidents – this year as in previous years – are caused in part or in whole by boat operator inattentiveness. Five of this year’s boating accident fatalities occurred in the state’s northeast area and in addition to the fatalities there are at least two people missing and presumed dead. In addition, a number of personal injuries have occurred from boating accidents this year.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the number of registered vessels in Florida in 2003 (the last year for which statistics are available) was 978,225, which represents an all-time high. Florida’s many waterways and mild weather make it an ideal boating destination. Unfortunately, the large number of Florida boaters also means a larger number of Florida boating accidents.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, most Florida boating accidents occur in March, April, May, June, or July between noon and 6:00 pm. About 48% of accidents were caused mostly by either carelessness or disregard of navigation rules. Men between the ages of 22 and 50 who have no formal boating education but have more than 100 hours of boating experience are most likely to be involved in an accident.

Each year, many Florida attorneys are contacted about boating accidents, and it’s no surprise: according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission statistics, 16% of boaters or passengers in a vessel who are involved in a boating accident are killed or injured. In fact, boating accidents kill more than airplane or train accidents.

Florida has many waterways perfect for boating. Possibly as a result, the state is second in the nation when it comes to boating accidents, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Within the state, Okaloosa and Bay counties were in the top 10 Florida counties for accidents. The two counties combined saw more than fifty reported accidents in 2004 alone. Escambia ranked 18th in the state and Santa Rosa ranked 24th.

Florida has a number of laws meant to reduce boating accidents. Boaters 21 years of age and under must have a Florida Boating Safety ID whenever operating a boat with an engine of at least 10 horsepower. These IDs can be obtained by taking a boating safety course. The course must be approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) in order for the boater to qualify for the ID. Once the course is completed to satisfaction, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will issue the card.

Although only those who are 21 years of age or younger are required by law to have the ID card, every new boater and every boater operating a new type of vessel is encouraged to take NASBLA-approved courses to learn the basics of boating safety. Most boating accidents can be prevented when vessel operators have the right boat operating skills.

Today, getting a course in boating safety is even simpler. An on-line course is available from The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The course, “How To Boat Smart, Florida Boating Safety Course,” helps boaters learn about equipment requirements, rules of the waterways, boating skills, and other topics essential for water safety. Other groups, such as the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadron offer classes at a number of convenient locations. Even experienced boaters may find that they can decrease their odds of an accident by taking a course.

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