Miami is one of the most popular boating destinations in the country. Great weather and open seas often create opportunities for the perfect boating experience. Unfortunately, Miami waters can also be quite dangerous, thanks to overcrowded waterways, negligent boat operators, and severe weather. As a result, boat accidents in Miami aren’t uncommon. In fact, Miami often reports more boat accidents than any other place in the country.
It’s important to consider your legal rights and options after a Miami boat accident. If someone else is to blame, you have the right to demand compensation. At Lavent Law, P.A., we’re prepared to help you maximize the financial award you receive. Call to schedule a free consultation with our Miami boat accident lawyers today. We’ll review your case and answer any questions you have.
Why You Should Hire an Attorney After Your Miami Boat Accident
Boat accidents can be particularly violent and traumatic. It’s common for boat accident victims to sustain painful and potentially life-changing injuries. The financial costs of these injuries can be overwhelming. Your injury may very well cost tens, if not hundreds, of dollars over the course of your life. You shouldn’t have to shoulder these costs alone, especially if someone else caused your boat accident.
While you can pursue compensation on your own, it’s always best to work with an experienced Miami personal injury attorney. Here’s why:
- It can be difficult to determine the cause(s) of your boat accident
- More than one person may have contributed to the crash
- Insurance companies will not hesitate to use strategies that drive down the value of your claim
- Others involved in the accident will try to pin the blame on you
- Your claim can be denied if it’s not filed on time, and
- It can be tough to know what your claim is really worth.
Hiring an attorney to handle your personal injury claim can prevent these things from standing between you and the money you deserve. At Lavent Law, P.A., our attorneys will aggressively pursue compensation on your behalf. We’ll fight to hold anyone who contributed to your accident fully accountable for their actions. Call our Miami office to schedule your free case assessment today.
Causes of Boat Accidents in Miami
There are more boat accidents in the state of Florida than anywhere else in the country. Miami is home to many of these accidents. In 2017, 10 percent of all boating accidents reported in the state happened in Miami. Those 75 accidents caused 47 injuries, 5 deaths, and more than $775,000 in property damage.
Why are boat accidents so common in Miami? The truth is that there are a variety of factors that can contribute to an accident.
Operator Inexperience
Boat accidents are more likely to happen when operators have little-to-no experience. In fact, inexperienced operators are responsible for causing 17 percent of the boat accidents in Miami. The state of Florida doesn’t necessarily require you to have a boating license. Instead, most simply have to complete a training course and obtain a boating identification card. This can create a situation where a lot of people are out on the water when they don’t necessarily understand what they’re doing.
Operator Negligence
Inexperienced operators aren’t the only ones who cause boat accidents. Even the most experienced boaters cause accidents when they’re negligent. In fact, operator negligence causes more than 22 percent of the boat accidents in Miami. Negligence can include:
- Inattention
- Failure to see other vessels
- Improper lookout
- Riding too close to other vessels, and
- Distractions (texting, talking on the phone, conversing with passengers).
Reckless Operation
Boat accidents commonly happen when vessels aren’t operated carefully. Unfortunately, careless and reckless behavior contributes to one out of every four boat accidents in Miami.
Reckless operation includes:
- Violating local boating laws
- Speeding, and
- Making sharp and dangerous turns.
Boating With Intoxicated
It’s illegal to operate a boat in Miami if you’re under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Unfortunately, this doesn’t stop everyone from navigating a vessel while drunk. Approximately 3 percent of boat accidents in Miami involve a drunk operator.
Overcrowded Waters
Miami is a popular place to hit the open water. Its popularity can be a safety hazard, at times. Boats have less space to navigate, which increases the chances of a collision. Every year, at least one boating accident is caused by congested or overcrowded waters.
Defective Equipment
Boating operators aren’t always responsible for accidents. There are times when malfunctioning or defective equipment will cause a serious crash on the water. In Miami, machinery failure and defects cause approximately 7 percent of all boat accidents. Companies that produce or sell those defective products can be held responsible for your injuries.
Common Miami Boat Accident Injuries
A boat accident can have immediate and long-lasting consequences. According to the United States Coast Guard, the most commonly reported boat accident injuries include:
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue damage
- Concussion
- Hypothermia
- Internal organ damage
- Spinal cord injury
- Burns
- Amputation
- Shock, and
- Wrongful death.
At Lavent Law, P.A., our attorneys are prepared to help you recover compensation for all of your boat accident injuries. Contact us to schedule a free consultation today.
Recovering the Money You Need After Your Miami Boat Accident
Your life can change forever when you’re involved in a boat accident. You may struggle with painful injuries that require extensive medical care. The emotional trauma of the accident can make it difficult to enjoy the things you once loved. You may even be unable to go back to work. All of these things can make life after an accident challenging.
While money won’t guarantee a full recovery, it can help to make up for the physical, emotional, and financial pain and suffering you’ve experienced. At Lavent Law, P.A., our attorneys will aggressively pursue monetary damages on your behalf. We’ll demand compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Anxiety and depression
- Disfigurement
- Embarrassment
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Lost wages
- Disability, and more.
Our attorneys have spent years developing relationships with experts and professionals in the greater Miami area. When necessary, we rely on these individuals to help us fully evaluate the extent of your injuries and the value of your case. When we demand compensation, we’ll have hard evidence and expert insight to support your case.
Limited Time to Pursue Compensation After a Boat Accident
Florida law imposes a strict statute of limitations on all personal injury claims. As a result, you only have a limited amount of time to pursue compensation after your Miami boat accident. In most cases, your personal injury claim must be filed within three years of your boat accident. You will not be able to recover the money you need if your claim isn’t filed on time.
It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as you can after your Miami boat accident. Your lawyer will help to ensure that a legal technicality doesn’t stand between you and the money you deserve. Call our personal injury lawyers to get started on your case today.
Get Help With Your Personal Injury Case
The personal injury lawyers at Lavent Law, P.A. can help you get the money you need after a Miami boat accident. We know that an unexpected injury can be devastating. When someone else causes your pain, you have the right to hold them financially responsible. Contact our experienced legal team to schedule a free consultation today. We’ll carefully review your case, explain your legal rights, and answer any questions that you may have. Call today to learn more.
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