South Florida is almost a national mecca of recreational boating. There is likely no other area in the entire country that has the sheer volume of recreational boaters and the staggering amount of boating tourism. Many residents also own watercraft and spend large portions of their leisure time boating on any of the state’s many waterways.
After a Boat Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you know or love have suffered injuries in a boating accident in the South Florida area, it is extremely important that you reach out for expert legal help as soon as possible following the accident. Not only are there time limits involved that can prevent the recovery of your damages, but there are specific sets of laws that apply to accidents involving boats on waterways. It is crucial to the success of your claim that you work with an experienced boat accident firm like Elstein Legal.
Maritime Regulation In South Florida
Since the state’s tourism industry is supported to a significant degree by recreational boaters, there are significantly fewer regulations for boating consumers in the area. Many people travel to South Florida for their vacation, and they are dissuaded by additional regulation of their activities. By Florida law, there is no minimum age requirement to operate boats or other watercraft. You can also operate boats and other watercraft without any license or training needed if you are 30 years of age or older. This can create a seriously elevated risk of accident or misadventure.
A large number of Floridians and even many lawyers do not realize that accidents occurring on public waterways are under the jurisdiction of federal admiralty, or maritime law. This means that if a case cannot be settled, and needs to move to litigation, it often needs to be done in Florida’s federal courts. Federal courts have different procedures and elements needed to prove things like negligence.
Common Accidents While Boating In South Florida
The most common types of accidents that happen while boating in South Florida, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, are collisions with another vessel as most common, with injuries while being towed for watersports in a close second place.
By far the largest percentage of deaths from boating come from overboard accidents where drugs or alcohol were involved. Accidents like these result in drowning. Other types of accidents while boating includes:
- Running aground
- Flooding
- Striking underwater objects
- Sinking
- Fuel fires or explosions
- Flooding
- Capsizing
Why Choose Elstein Legal?
If you have been injured, you want to focus on healing and recovery, not trying to navigate a complex and frequently overwhelming injury claims process. By working with Elstein Legal, you take on a very skilled ally in your quest for fair compensation. Brain Elstein will work hard to ensure you are represented well during the entire process. You will have a powerful advocate during the settlement negotiations, and if your case needs to be heard in court, you will already have expert representation.