Boating Accident Attorneys in Winter Garden, Florida
Florida is one of the best states in the nation for boating activities due to our abundance of coastline as well as other natural and manmade water features. Unsurprisingly, this means that residents of our state experience a high percentage of boating accident injuries every year. If you have been involved in a boating accident that was caused by the negligence of another party, you may be suffering from physical, emotional, and financial burdens. If you have suffered an injury while boating, Cressman Law Firm, P.A. can help you file a personal injury claim in order to collect financial compensation that can be used for covering medical expenses, to offset lost wages, and account for pain and suffering. Contact the experienced attorneys at Cressman Law Firm, P.A. today to discuss your case.
Causes of Boating Accidents
There are a number of ways that a boating accident can occur. Typically, negligence plays a major role in these accidents. Some of the many causes of boating accidents include the following:
- Operator inexperience
- Poor weather conditions
- Collisions with an object, including other boats
- Lack of safety equipment on board
- Boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Rough waters
- Speeding
Boating Under the Influence in Florida
The state of Florida treats boating under the influence in a similar way they treat this offense with any other type of motor vehicle. If a person who is operating a vessel has a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher, they can be charged with boating under the influence. It is important to note that if a boat operator refuses to submit to a chemical breath test, they will automatically be subject to a revocation of both driving and boating privileges. If a boat operator is under the age of 21 and has a blood alcohol content of 0.02 percent or higher, they can be charged with boating under the influence as well.
State vs. Federal Admiralty Laws
Where you sustain your boating accident injury impacts the personal injury process immensely. If you are injured on a Florida lake or waterway, or on the coast, your case will have to satisfy the grounds for a Florida state personal injury case. If you are injured in deeper waters, such as in the ocean, federal laws may come into play. Knowing exactly where you were located in the water when you were hurt is extremely pertinent information that we will need to know. Incorrectly remembering your location could jeopardize your claim.
Recovering Compensation After an Accident
If you have been seriously injured by the negligence of a boat operator, you may be eligible to recover compensation. Compensation recovered in a personal injury case is referred to as “damages.” You will be required to prove that the negligent party was not operating in the same manner that a “reasonable boater” would and that these actions ultimately resulted in your injuries. You may be eligible to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and more.
Contact an Orange County Boating Accident Attorney
The best way to ensure that you will collect compensation from your boating accident injuries is to quickly retain and work closely with an experienced Florida personal injury attorney. There are simply things to which the layperson is not privy that significantly impact the viability of your case, such as common insurance adjuster intimidation tactics, legal precedents, and nuances of the relevant laws. Attorney Mark Cressman has 25 years of experience in this field and is highly qualified to represent you during this process. Contact Cressman Law Firm, P.A. today.
