Tampa Boating Accident Lawyer

Boating in the water of the Sunshine State is a popular and exciting experience. However, it does come with risks, especially when negligence or reckless behavior is in play. Whether you are enjoying a day soaking up the sun on Hillsborough Bay or you are fishing through one of the many charter businesses located along Old Tampa Bay, if you are injured in a boating accident, it is essential that you speak with an experienced Tampa boating accident lawyer right away. 

Work With the Experienced and Award-Winning Team at Ronald Bone, P.A.

From our St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay-based legal offices, the team at Ronald Bone, P.A., has been serving personal injury victims since 1997. We are fierce advocates for our clients and are here to help educate you on your legal rights and options when it comes to recovering compensation for the damages you have sustained. When you suffer in a boating accident, you want to hire a law firm you know you can trust and a team that puts your interests first. 

Our attorneys take a client-based approach to every case and prepare every case as if it were headed for trial. While not every case goes to trial — in fact, most personal injury claims are settled through pre-trial negotiations — we prepare so that no surprises catch us off guard. Our case results from the past 30 years speak for themselves, and we have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for previous clients.

While past results cannot reflect the outcome of your future case, we are ready to bring a certain level of excellence to every case that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. Our team is AV-rated, the highest rating you can achieve nationwide from Martindale-Hubbell, and we are proud to have been honored with a Client Champion Silver designation. Let our talented team work for you today. 

Common Causes of Boating Accidents in Tampa

In the United States, around 3,837 boating accidents take place each year, and there are around 4.9 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vehicles nationwide. In the Tampa area, thousands of boats are launched out onto the water every day, and just because you are on a boat does not mean that you will get injured. However, when certain factors are present, these accidents can take place. In Tampa, the most common causes of boating accidents include:

• Inadequate vessel maintenance. When a water vessel is poorly or improperly maintained, or the equipment on the boat is poorly maintained, it can lead to possible mechanical failures, which can result in serious and even deadly accidents. 
• Reckless operation of a boat. When a person is recklessly operating a boat, it can result in serious accidents, injury, and even death. The reckless operation of a boat can include speeding, operating the boat in unsafe areas, ignoring or violating posted warning signs or buoys, or overloading the boat or other form of watercraft. 
• Defective watercraft or parts. When a boat itself, parts of the boat, or equipment on the boat has been defectively designed or manufactured, it can lead to accidents and even the loss of life when that defect results in a mechanical failure onboard. 
• Boating under the influence. Taking a boat out and enjoying a couple of beers with friends is a common daily activity in Tampa. However, when too much alcohol is consumed or drugs are present, the operator of the boat may become impaired. Impaired boaters can suffer slower reaction times, poor judgment, and impaired perception, all factors that can lead to dangerous and deadly accidents. 
• Distracted boating. When a boat operator is on their phone, drinking or eating, or interacting with passengers rather than keeping their hands on the wheel or their eyes on the waterway in front of them, it can lead to distracted boating, which can result in injuries and even fatalities. 
• Operator inexperience. When an individual is operating a boat and has little to no experience, they might not be aware of certain navigational rules or how to handle certain circumstances that could arise when out on the water. 
• Poor weather or hazardous conditions. The Tampa Bay area is no stranger to sudden, drastic weather changes or changes in water conditions. When a water vessel is being operated during times of high winds, high seas, heavy rain, or low visibility, it can lead to an increased risk of being involved in a serious accident. 
• Inadequate lookout. It is important for boating operators to keep an eye out for other vessels on the water and any hazards that can arise. It is also important to stay aware of any flags or buoys that can signal hazards below the surface, such as debris, rocks, or divers. 

If you have suffered a boat accident injury due to any of these causes, you are likely entitled to seek some form of compensation. At Ronald Bone, P.A., we are here to review your case to determine the cause and thereby, be able to identify the party liable for your damages.

Steps to Take Following a Tampa Boating Accident

After suffering a boating accident in Tampa, there are certain actions that should be taken to maintain your safety, the safety of anyone else on your boat, and the future of an injury claim. These steps include the following:

• Checking for injuries. In a boating accident, the safety of your passengers should be your number one priority. If you are uninjured, check your passengers for any sign of injury and administer first aid where needed. If you believe it is required, contact emergency medical services. 
• Reporting the accident. Once you have looked everyone over for injuries, you will want to get into contact with either the local Tampa law enforcement or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Letting these parties know about the accident can help provide necessary evidence when you go to seek compensation. 
• Documenting the scene. It is important that you gather certain forms of evidence at the site of the boating accident if you are able. This can include photos and videos of the damaged watercraft and any injuries that have been sustained. You should also record the date and time of the accident, if there are any signs of intoxication present, and the current weather conditions or water conditions. 
• Exchanging information. While you are at the accident scene, if you are able, you should exchange contact information and insurance information with the party who caused the accident, as well as contact information from any potential witnesses. Under no circumstances, however, should you admit to fault during this time. Even a simple utterance of “I’m sorry” could be used against you in the future. 
• Speaking with insurers. When you are speaking with insurers, stay vigilant. These companies will try everything to get out of paying you the fair and full compensation you are owed, and you should try to avoid talking with the at-fault party’s insurance completely. Let your attorney handle that. 
• Contacting an attorney. As soon as you are able, you need to contact a personal injury lawyer who can help you start the official steps of filing your boat accident claim. At Ronald Bone, P.A., we can review the viability of your case, determine value, and identify all liable parties. 

FAQs

Q: What Injuries Are Sustained in Boating Accidents?

A: In Florida, boating accidents result in numerous injuries that can be sustained by victims. The most common injuries occurring in boating collisions include traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, electric shock, severe burns, whiplash, lacerations and contusions, concussions, spinal cord damage, which may result in paralysis, sprains or strains, amputations, and even death. 

Q: How Can a Boat Accident Lawyer Help Me?

A: A boat accident lawyer can help you in several ways. We are here to listen to your side of the story and determine whether your case for compensation is legally viable. We can then launch an independent investigation into the accident in order to uncover the cause, liability, and calculate the full and fair amount of compensation you deserve. We can then enter into negotiations with the at-fault party and take your case to court if negotiations prove unfruitful. 

Q: What Are the Most Common Types of Boat Accidents?

A: The most common types of boat accidents can include collisions with other boats, collisions with water skiers, jet skiers, swimmers, divers, or kayakers, collisions with objects or debris in the water, fires or explosions in the boat caused by electric malfunction, getting hit by an object loose onboard the vessel, or falling overboard and getting hit. 

Q: What Damages Can I Seek in a Florida Boating Accident?

A: There are many forms of damages you may be able to seek in a Florida boating accident. These can include any related medical expenses (past, present, and future), lost income or lost employment benefits, the loss of your future earning capacity, physical pain and emotional suffering, loss of the enjoyment of life, wrongful death damages, and possible punitive damages. 

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Hire a Boating Accident Lawyer in Tampa Today

If you or someone you love has been injured or even killed in a Tampa-area boat accident, then you need to hire a boating accident lawyer as soon as possible. At Ronald Bone, P.A., we are proud to serve the Tampa area and assist injured folks in getting their lives back on track following an accident caused by another’s negligence. Contact our offices today to learn more and schedule your initial consultation.