Floridians love the water which often meets being out on a boat. Warmer weather and calm water mean more boats on the water which can increase your chances of a boat accident. Because you may have never been in a boat accident, we thought that as personal injury attorneys who handle the aftermath of boat accidents, Nance Cacciatore, located in Melbourne, FL, could answer some questions for you.
Do Boat Accidents Really Happen?
Not only do boat accidents happen, but according to an article in the Miami Herald, in 2019 Florida ranked No. 1 in the nation for boating accidents and deaths on the water. There were 679 boat accidents in Florida in 2019. Fifty-five of those accidents proved fatal with sixty-two deaths. Busier waterways generally have a higher number of boat accidents.
What Causes Boat Accident(s)?
In the above-mentioned article, the Coast Guard stated that alcohol was the leading contributing factor in all of the nation’s boating accidents in 2019. A lack of boating safety instruction, such as a vessel safety course was another major contributing factor.
Accidents can happen for a number of reasons. People may be driving distracted, just as they do in cars – having conversations or looking at phones. They may be swerving to miss wildlife. Or, it may be careless or dangerous operating procedures such as speeding.
How Are Boating Accidents Fatal?
According to the Coast Guard’s report, the cause of death in almost 80% of the country’s accidents was drowning. Of those who died, almost 90% were not wearing life jackets. It makes you wonder how many lives could have been saved by that simple measure. Safety procedures exist for good reason, and in boating, safety should never be overlooked.
What Happens After a Boat Accident?
Proper authorities will be contacted, often by people calling 911. The cause of the accident may require investigation by the police. If someone is found to be at fault in an accident, then criminal charges may be brought against the person, such as in a case of drunk driving.
If you were injured in a boating accident, your need for a boat accident attorney will depend on the circumstances, as well as the extent of your injuries. Needing a band-aid will obviously not be good cause to contact an attorney. Sustaining serious or life-threatening injuries is a situation in which you may wish to consult a personal injury attorney, particularly if someone else was at fault or if the boat malfunctioned.
Can Nance Cacciatore Help Me?
Nance Cacciatore has been serving the Melbourne area for 60 years. We are personal injury attorneys with experience in a vast array of personal injury cases, including boat accidents. If you or a loved one has been in a boating or car accident, subject to medical malpractice or negligence, and would like to consult a personal injury attorney, then please give us a call today. Let’s talk and we will help you in any way we can!
