4651 Salisbury Road #400, Jacksonville, FL 32256

(904) 714-8500
(904) 944-6171
info@aventislaw.com
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Boating Accidents

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Boating Accidents

Recreational boating is a favorite pastime for many in Florida and there are so many places to do it within the state. Unfortunately, the fact that residents and visitors alike spend so much time on the water also means there is a greater chance of boating accidents to occur. When a boat collides with a swimmer, personal watercraft or another vessel, the consequences are catastrophic and wrongful death can even occur.

According to the 2019 Boating Accidents Statistical Report of Florida Fish and Wildlife, there were 723 boating accidents during the year, with 453 of those crashes resulting in injuries and 65 resulting in death. Anyone that has been injured or that has lost a loved one due to a negligent boater should call a Florida boat accident lawyer.

Common Causes of Boating Accidents

Most boating accidents involve two vessels, with collisions involving a fixed object following at a close second. Drowning and falling overboard are the leading causes of death in boating accidents throughout the state. The following are some of the most common causes of boating accidents that result in injuries or death:

  • Colliding with another vessel, including water skis, jet skis, canoes, paddle boards, and kayaks
  • Colliding with fixed objects, including platforms, docks, and buoys
  • Colliding with swimmers
  • Capsized boats
  • Being struck while falling overboard
  • Being struck by a loose object or debris on the deck of the boat
  • Poorly maintained docks and sea walls
  • Poorly maintained docks and sea walls
  • Inexperienced boaters
  • Intoxicated boaters
  • Defective watercraft
  • Lack of safety gear
  • Explosions and fires
  • Slip and falls while on the boat
  • Failure to abide by boating safety laws

Common Boating Injuries

Boat operators owe swimmers, divers, snorkelers, and other boat operators a duty of care. Anyone operating a boat must watch the water very carefully to avoid hitting others that may be in or on the water. Boat operators that hit swimmers in the water place the person at a great risk of drowning, and this type of accident is the most common type of hit and run accident. Unfortunately, boating operators often believe that fleeing the scene is better than making sure others are okay, particularly if the other party does not have a vehicle.

The injuries most commonly incurred in boating accidents are very similar to those sustained during car accidents. Boating accidents though, are particularly dangerous because there is the added risk of drowning in a boat accident. Boating accident deaths are typically the result of drowning, trauma, cardiac arrest, and hypothermia.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

If you or a loved one were hit by a boat as a swimmer, diver, kayaker, paddle broader, snorkeler, water skier, tuber, or wakeboarder, you have the right to pursue financial compensation. Moreover, if you were hit by a boat operator who fled the scene, that person should not only be penalized in the criminal court, but your chances of winning a personal injury case are greatly increased. Call Aventis Law Firm for a free consultation to discuss all of these issues and to determine how much compensation you may be entitled to.

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YOU PAY NOTHING UNLESS WE WIN

At Aventis Law Firm, we work only on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe us nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Do not hesitate to contact us today for a free, no obligation consultation if you have been injured or lost a loved one because of another’s negligence.
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General Questions

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Choosing a law firm to represent you and your case is one of the most important decisions you can make. We understand that your case is important to you and choosing the right firm and attorney to represent you could make the difference for your case.

Attorney Nicole Liu has spent years working for some of the biggest insurance defense law firms in the State of Florida representing some of the largest insurance companies and corporations in the country, as well as big-box and specialty stores, large and small businesses, restaurants, gas stations, hospitals, and property owners. Because Nicole knows how the insurance companies think and the tactics they use to settle your case for as quickly and minimally as possible, she has a unique insight into how these companies defend their cases to get the best result for your case.

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At Aventis Law Firm, we handle claims in the pre-suit phase and at all levels of litigation. Our areas of practice include Auto Accidents, Bicycle Accidents, Boating Accidents, Drunk Driving Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents, Trucking Accidents, Dog Bites, Premises Liability, Fire Claims & Burn Injuries, Slip and Fall, Negligent Security, Medical Malpractice, Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect, Wrongful Death, Products Liability, and Homeowners Insurance.

Please see our Areas of Practice for a detailed description of each.

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You do not need to make this decision on your own. Contact us and set up a free consultation to go over the facts of your case in detail. We will be able to tell you whom you can sue and what you can expect to recover, based on the facts of your accident. Essentially, in most situations, you will have a case if someone acted carelessly under the circumstances and caused your injuries. Applying this standard is more complicated than it sounds, however, which is why it is important to call us for a free consultation.

You may still have a case even if you do not feel hurt at the scene. The biological response to a traumatic situation like an accident sends a rush of adrenaline through the body, which can temporarily reduce sensations of pain. You may start feeling significant pain or developing other symptoms later. It is wise to consult a doctor even if you do not feel immediate, excruciating pain, since some of the most serious conditions emerge over time.

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Our business hours are 8:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday. However, please feel free to call or email us after hours. We are committed to returning our client’s and potential client’s calls and emails within 24 hours or less.