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Florida’s stunning coastline and abundant lakes make it a haven for boating, but it also increases the likelihood of boating accidents, especially with relaxed insurance and regulatory laws.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a boat-related accident, taking immediate action is crucial. The team at Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath is well-versed in navigating the complexities of boating accident cases. Instead of covering costly medical bills alone, let us help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us online or call (561) 655-1990 to schedule a free consultation today.

Hurt on a cruise ship? Please visit our Florida cruise ship accident page.

florida boat accident lawyer

You deserve top-quality legal representation after a boat accident in Florida

Nationally recognized and board-certified, our personal injury team dedicates its skills to helping the vulnerable when reckless people have hurt them. From canoes, kayaks, personal watercraft, and large pleasure boats, we are ready to investigate every aspect of what happened and identify every avenue for justice. You can put your worries in our hands and focus your energy on recovering.

Each of our Florida personal injury lawyers offers a strong background in interpreting local and state law, as well as clarifying the sometimes confusing language of insurance policies. We can file your insurance claim, negotiate for a fair settlement, and prepare your case for trial if the insurer does not meet our demands. We fight tirelessly to ensure you are not left in a financial crisis through no fault of your own.

Founded in 1985, Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath is acknowledged as one of the most prestigious and successful personal injury law firms in Florida. Our 21 attorneys, 18 paralegal investigators, and 2 nurse paralegals have secured over $125 million in jury awards and insurance settlements.

Our client testimonials tell the story of our knowledge and commitment

Our clients are more than satisfied with the work we do for them, no matter what their cases entail. Read some of these testimonials from previous people Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath have served:

  • “Great experience. They communicated very well and gave me very good advice. I’d highly recommend.” – Patrick G.
  • “Bill Williams and his assistant Amarys Reyes did an excellent job representing me in my recent personal injury lawsuit.”- E. Howington.
  • “Todd and his team were great! They guided me every step of the way throughout my case. He was very patient and got me an excellent result.”- Shirley J.
  • “Could not have asked for more from Bill and Amarys! They have consistently been there for me, and I am very grateful for them!”- Vonte J.

For any kind of boat accident, you can turn to our Florida attorneys for aggressive representation

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, colliding with another vessel on the water is the most common boating accident in the state. However, many other injuries can occur during all activities associated with preparing, launching, operating, and docking a boat. For example, you may be hurt in any of these situations:

  • Colliding fixed or floating objects, such as docks, buoys, channel markers, submerged stumps, or floating debris
  • Flooding capsizing a boat
  • Running aground
  • Sinking
  • Being hit by a boat or personal watercraft while swimming
  • Being thrown from the vessel among dangerous waves and wildlife
  • Fires and explosions
  • Being injured by propellors
  • Slipping on docks while embarking or disembarking

Your skilled attorney with Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath will thoroughly investigate all aspects of your case and help you collect relevant evidence. We put together a timeline showing what happened, who is at fault, and a full calculation of the damages you are owed. We fight fiercely on your behalf to hold wrongdoers accountable for their negligence.

Your Florida boat accident case may be challenging, but we do not rest until we secure a satisfactory outcome for you

While many accidents happen when speedboats and craft like JetSkis are involved, it’s possible to suffer serious injuries while kayaking, fishing, or paddleboarding. Even if you are following all the laws and safety recommendations, you cannot predict or control the actions of others. Their negligence can hurt you in the ocean, rivers, creeks, ponds, and inlets of Florida.

The details of your accident will determine the course your Florida boating accident attorney recommends for your case. You may be able to secure all the compensation you need from a persuasively presented insurance claim. However, if you have substantial damages, your best choice may be to file a personal injury lawsuit for maximum compensation.

If the person who hurt you faces criminal charges, we can request information from that trial to support your civil lawsuit and improve your chances of compensation. Even if they only face fines for violating Florida’s boating statutes, we can use this to demonstrate further how they are at fault for your injuries and must compensate you for your losses.

Recoverable damages we help you secure in a boating accident claim

When someone else is at fault, and you seek to recover your losses from injuries and property damage, it is important to understand exactly what you can include in your demand letter. Fortunately, our attorneys have an extensive background in calculating every expense you may incur, which may include:

  • Hospital bills, such as ICU, ER, surgery, and overnight stays
  • Medical costs for follow-up treatment and specialist care
  • Mobility and medical devices
  • Medications
  • Lost income while you heal
  • Damage to your personal property, including your vessel
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish and emotional trauma

In the devastating event that someone dies from a boat accident, our wrongful death lawyers are prepared to help the surviving family members seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, as well as other damages. We know money does not replace a loved one’s contributions to your life, but it can ease the burden of moving on without them.

Lax boating laws and other factors contribute to hundreds of boat accidents every year

Many factors influence the prevalence of boat accidents in Florida, but the most important one may be the lack of stringent boating laws and regulations compared to other states. There is no minimum age requirement for operating a boat, and anyone born before January 1, 1988, does not need to obtain a boat license or undergo safety training.

Other factors that lead to a significant number of boating accidents include:

  • Inexperienced operators
  • Tourists who do not understand Florida’s maritime laws
  • Boat operators and passengers under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances
  • Faulty boat repair shops
  • Manufacturers that design and produce defective components or vessels
  • Boaters who leave trash or debris in waterways
  • Aggressive boaters who speed, ignore rules and signs or try to show off
  • Individuals who steal a boat for joyriding without the owner’s knowledge

In Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s 2023 Boating Accident Review, Florida led the nation in boat accidents at 712 for that year. California, the next closest state, experienced almost half that many. The 2023 Trend Analysis showed that 59 Florida boat accidents were fatal, and 408 resulted in injuries.

Your Florida boat accident attorney understands the unique laws that affect your claim

Visitors and even longtime residents of Florida may not realize that state waters are actually covered under federal admiralty jurisdiction and maritime law. This is because the ocean and all rivers leading to it are considered navigable waters, subject to federal laws. If you are hurt by someone breaking these regulations, your case may actually be tried in a federal court.

Tackling personal injury cases at this level is very different from handling them in a state or local court. You need the guidance of the experienced Florida boating accident attorneys at Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath. We understand how to apply the admiralty standards for negligence, as opposed to those used for cases such as car crashes.

We also ensure your case is filed to meet the state or federal statute of limitations, whichever applies to your claim. In Florida, you have four years to file your lawsuit, but under admiralty law, you may have only three years. If you wait too long to contact a boating accident attorney in Florida, you could lose your right to seek compensation forever.

Turn to Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath for superior legal representation

After a boat accident in Florida, you need compassionate and skilled legal guidance from a team that commits itself to supporting your every need. Rather than risk losing the comepsnation you need by handling your claim alone, contact us to arrange a free consultation and get started. Call us at (561) 655-1990 or through our online form today.

We answer common questions about boat accidents in Florida

Is there such a thing as boating under the influence in Florida?

In Florida, just as driving under the influence (DUI) is illegal, so is boating under the influence (BUI). Florida Statute 327.35 establishes a person as BUI when they operate a boat:

  • While under the influence of alcoholic beverages or a chemical substance that impairs their “normal faculties”
  • With a blood-alcohol level of .08% or higher
  • With a breath-alcohol concentration of .08% or higher

These rules are stricter for operators under 21 years of age, who are considered BUI with a breath alcohol level of .02%

What are some common injuries victims of Florida boat accidents suffer?

Common injuries you could suffer and claim damages for in a boating accident lawsuit include:

  • Broken bones
  • Cuts, lacerations, and contusions
  • Lung infections or other diseases after swallowing or inhaling water
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Thermal and electrical burns
  • Traumatic brain injuries

Your Florida boating accident attorneys will ensure all your medical costs and treatments are included in the damage demands for your case.

What does it cost to hire a Florida boating accident lawyer?

If you are badly hurt in a boat accident, you likely are worried about how you will recover and what it will cost. The thought of adding more bills to your burden may cause you to think twice before hiring a boating accident attorney in Florida. However, our team understands these concerns and has ways to ease your stress.

You can begin with a free consultation, and we offer contingency fee payments. This means our attorney fees and certain other costs are paid as a percentage of your final settlement amount. We work hard to maximize your compensation so everyone benefits, but if we cannot secure a settlement for you, you do not pay us. It’s as simple as that.

Resources for Florida boat accident victims

Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath

  • 515 N Flagler Dr, 10th floor
    West Palm Beach, FL 33401
  • 1850 SW Fountainview Blvd STE 207
    Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
  • 150 E Palmetto Park Road Suite 840
    Boca Raton, FL 33432
  • 110 SE 6th St Ste 1410
    Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
  • 2200 Broadway, Space 301
    Fort Myers, FL 33901

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