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West Palm Beach offers boaters a stunning mix of lakes and ocean access, making it an ideal location for water activities. However, the risk of injury from the negligence of others on the water is always present, and accidents can happen whether you’re on a sailboat, speedboat, or kayak.

Whether you were injured in a boat crash near Lake Worth Beach or after slipping off a dock at Jupiter Inlet, working with the experienced team at Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath ensures you receive expert legal guidance to pursue compensation. Don’t bear the financial burden of someone else’s carelessness—schedule a free consultation with a boat accident lawyer today.

If you were injured on a cruise ship, please visit our Florida cruise ship accident page.

west palm beach boat accident lawyer

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

Boating accident laws are different from those governing car crashes, slip-and-fall accidents, and malpractice claims. Because some boating locations around West Palm Beach are considered “navigable waters,” there may be situations where federal admiralty law applies to your case instead of state statutes. When your accident involves a federal court, working with an experienced West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer who understands how to interpret the law to your best advantage is vital.

You can count on us to do the following for you:

  • Respect your financial concerns: Because we offer free case reviews and only get paid if you win, you can rest easy knowing it will not cost you a fortune upfront to get the legal guidance you need.
  • Treat your case with dignity and compassion: We believe in treating our clients like family, putting their interests first, and ensuring full financial, emotional, and physical recovery.
  • Prepare for the long run: Time is critical for boat accident claims in Florida, so we do not wait to file your personal injury lawsuit paperwork until it is too late. We strive to settle quickly but are ready for a trial from the first day.

At Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, we take great care to review your case, investigate all the evidence, and craft arguments that support your need for compensation. We can manage insurance claims by filing the paperwork, negotiating with adjusters for the maximum settlement, and ensuring your damages are covered. When the circumstances demand it, we also prepare your case for trial to hold wrongdoers accountable for hurting you.

Our team is dedicated to excellent service and superior results

Beginning in 1985, the personal injury law firm of Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath has represented hundreds of people just like you, seeking justice and financial relief for the injured. Our team includes 21 attorneys and 18 paralegal investigators who have obtained over $125 million in jury awards and insurance settlements.  Some examples of our successes are:

  • A catastrophic injury case involving a small child – $11.25 million won
  • A product liability and wrongful death case – $11 million won
  • A bus accident case involving a negligent driver – $10 million won

Our West Palm Beach attorneys manage every type of boating accident

The Palm Beach chapter of America’s Boating Club reports that inexperienced boat operators are a primary cause of most boating accidents. Others are attributed to inattention by the operator or lookout. Other factors that can lead to injuries on the water include not using a lifejacket, failing to maintain the vessel, and disobeying laws and customs. Evidence of these actions by the boat operator who hurt you could be used to demonstrate their negligence in your claim.

Building a strong case demands that your boat accident injury attorneys in West Palm Beach gather proof of what happened and who is at fault. Our team has the background and a network of experts to help us do just that. We can manage your boat accident claim for situations such as:

  • A private dock owner fails to warn of slippery conditions or other hazards.
  • A boat owner does not keep enough lifejackets on board for the number of passengers.
  • A repair shop fails to fix engine problems properly, leaving boaters stranded in bad conditions.
  • Irresponsible boaters who use alcohol or illegal substances while boating.
  • Boaters who speed through wake zones or near swimmers and put them at risk.
  • Boat operators who tow waterskiers without a spotter.
  • Sailboat owners who fail to secure equipment that knocks a person overboard.

By interpreting the applicable laws, collecting relevant documentation, and forcefully negotiating for an appropriate settlement, your boat accident attorney in West Palm Beach, FL, at Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath works to secure the maximum compensation available. We identify all at-fault parties and ensure their negligent, careless, or malicious actions do not go unpunished while you suffer the consequences. Our team fights fiercely to protect your interests.

West Palm Beach boat accidents may involve state and federal laws

Unfortunately, Florida is very lax when it comes to boating laws and regulations. Drivers are not required to have a license, and older boaters do not even have to attend boat safety education courses. Also, there is no age threshold, meaning anyone of any age can drive a boat. While there are few Florida laws that govern boat accidents, your case may actually end up in a federal court if the circumstances involve admiralty jurisdiction and maritime laws.

Not every law firm is familiar with the differences under maritime law, so you should always speak with an experienced West Palm Beach boat accident lawyer who understands the nuances. The procedures, deadlines, and evidence requirements are more stringent, and an unskilled lawyer could end up damaging your case more than helping it.

west palm beach boat accident attorney

We work to secure all your recoverable damages so you have the resources to recover

By demonstrating that another person owed you a duty of care and failed to honor it, we begin showing how they were negligent. We further connect their failure to your injuries, showing that you would not have been hurt if they had acted the way a reasonable person would have. Finally, we provide evidence of all your expenses, bills, and losses to show what the at-fault party must pay.

Boating accidents can be extremely serious, leaving victims with catastrophic injuries that impact their entire future. The medical costs can be astronomical, and those who are disabled from working again must have financial relief to support themselves and their families. Your boat accident attorney in West Palm Beach will help you gather documentation to calculate the full value of your claim.

We can help you recover damages such as:

  • Medical and hospital bills
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
  • Prescription medications
  • Lost wages and benefits while you recover
  • Lost future earning capacity
  • Repair or replacement costs for your vessel or other personal property
  • Permanent disability
  • Emotional distress and mental anguish
  • Pain and suffering
  • Wrongful death

If someone you love dies as a result of a boat accident, our West Palm Beach wrongful death attorneys can work with the deceased’s personal representative to file a lawsuit against those responsible on behalf of the survivors. In addition to the damages listed above, this legal action can also seek compensation for the deceased’s final expenses. Money does not replace the presence of a lost loved one, but it can provide financial relief for their family members to move forward.

Trust in Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath for your West Palm Beach boat injury claim

Rather than waiting too long or taking the risk of handling your claim by yourself, rely on the aggressive legal representation offered by Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath. We handle every case with the care, skill, and attention to detail it deserves. Contact our offices to schedule your free consultation with a West Palm Beach boat accident lawyer and get started today. We can be reached by phone at (561) 655-1990 or through our online form.

Common questions about boat accidents in West Palm Beach

What kinds of injuries are covered under a boat accident claim?

Because there are many kinds of watercraft, there are multiple injuries you could suffer while boating. If a commercial fishing tour boat operator is inexperienced, you could get hurt by fishing equipment or fall overboard. If your rented kayak leaks and sinks you in alligator-infested waters, you could be bitten by wildlife. However, these are some of the more common injuries our attorneys see in boat accident claims:

  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Burns from chemicals, heat, and electrical wires
  • Infections from inhaling or swallowing water
  • Spinal cord and back injuries from slipping and falling
  • Traumatic brain injuries

How long do I have to file my boat accident claim?

The statute of limitations is different when your case is under Florida jurisdiction than when it is under federal jurisdiction. In Florida, you have up to four years to bring a personal injury claim regarding a boat accident. However, under admiralty law, you only have three years. Some exceptions may shorten or lengthen this window, so working with a qualified boat accident lawyer in West Palm Beach is best to ensure you do not lose your chance to seek compensation.

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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