South Florida Maritime and Admiralty Law Attorney Robert Gross Responds To Florida Being Named The Boating Accident Capital of The Country

According to a recently released report by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, this state led the nation in both boating accidents and fatalities for the year 2011—a distinction that Florida retained from 2010. The FFWCC reported 79 fatalities and 431 boating accident related injuries. Injuries from boating accidents ranged from the more common broken bones and lacerations to the less frequent occurrence of shock and amputation. Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties led the state in boating accidents, and the summer months were the busiest for boating collisions. As a Miami attorney with years of practice in pursing claims for persons injured in maritime related accidents this data unfortunately is no cause for surprise. What should be disturbing for Florida boaters, however, is the increases in nearly every statistical category.

Boating Accidents and Personal Injury Cases

Boating collisions provide challenges for personal injury plaintiff's attorneys. Because virtually all boat crashes occur on the water, there is not the same amount of physical evidence that we see with automobile accidents (i.e. skid marks, debris, et cetera). In some instances, even the hulls are unrecoverable. That's why it is crucial to retain the services of a lawyer who has experience in handling personal injury claims stemming from small vessel accidents.

Boating Accident Injuries and Wrongful Death

In addition to the types of injuries that occur in boating accidents, there is also the very real threat of drowning when the victim is thrown into the water or the vessel fails to maintain it's buoyancy. Boating accident injuries include:

• Laceration
• Broken bone(s)
• Contusions
• Head injury
• Back injury
• Burns
• Sprain/strain
• Neck injury
• Hypothermia
• Internal injuries
• Teeth and jaw
• Dislocations
• Amputation
• Spinal injury
• Shock
• Drowning

Even a minor boating accident can result in injuries leading to hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, occupational therapy, lost wages, pain, and suffering. If you were injured in a boating accident or while operating a personal watercraft, like a jet ski or wave runner, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. The Florida waterways are the deadliest in the country; use due care. If you are in a boating collision or accident, however, contact an experienced, reputable Miami maritime law attorney who focuses on personal injury cases.