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Florida is Again the State with Both the Largest Numbers of Boating Accidents and Boating Fatalities, Highlighting the Dangers of Being on the Water in Florida

in Boating accidents, Personal Injury Attorneys, Schwed Law News

In 2017, Florida was again the state with the highest number of both total boating accidents and boating fatalities in the country according to statistics compiled by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC). Florida has hundreds of lakes in addition to its thousands of miles of coastline along both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. This, combined with the state’s beautiful weather year round, makes Florida a true boater’s paradise. This is particularly true in South Florida, where the Florida Keys claim the mantle of the Sportfishing Capital of the World. For all these reasons, Florida has the highest number of registered recreational boats of any state on the country. However, with so many boats on the water, accidents are bound to happen. This was simply confirmed by the FFWCC’s 2017 statistics, which reflect the dangers faced by Florida boaters every time they go out on a boat. Therefore, if you are in Florida and are regularly out on your boat, make sure to take appropriate safety measures every time you are on the water to avoid becoming another statistic.

The FFWCC’s Findings Regarding Boating Accidents in Florida

The FFWCC’s recent report showed there was a nearly 14 percent rise in Florida boating accidents in 2017 as compared with 2016. There were 766 boating accidents in Florida in 2017, up from 714 in 2016. July had the most accidents with 113, with May and April the next two highest months with 99 and 92 accidents, respectively. Of all Florida counties, Monroe County had the most accidents, with Miami-Dade and Broward Counties coming in second and third place with 75 and 63 accidents, respectively. Of the causes found by the FFWCC in connection with these accidents, the two most cited as playing the leading role were operator inexperience or not having a proper lookout/operator inattention. Although the number of total boating accidents that occurred in 2017 rose when compared with the prior year, a total of 67 people died in boating accidents in Florida in 2017, which was the same number as in in 2016. The 766 boating accidents also resulted in a total of over $8.5 million in total property damage.

Florida Law Regarding Boating Accidents and Boating Fatalities

These statistics tell a grim tale that venturing out onto the water for what should be a good time can be ruined by someone else’s bad decision in not paying attention while operating a boat, not keeping a proper lookout, having too much to drink and then deciding to operate a boat, or piloting a boat at an excessive rate of speed. As in most states, Florida law concerning the operation of boats is similar to the state’s laws regarding the operation of motor vehicles. A boat operator must use appropriate measures to keep his or her passengers as well as nearby boaters safe under Florida law. If a boat’s operator is negligent in operating his vessel, such as piloting it at excessive speeds, drinking and then operating a boat or paying inadequate attention or not maintaining a proper lookout, the boat operator can be sued by either his own passengers or other boaters if the negligence results in an accident that injures or kills someone. However, as confirmed by these most recent FFWCC statistics, boat operators either are not paying attention or not maintaining a proper lookout too often on Florida’s waters, which is causing property damage, injuries and even death.

Contact The Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys at Schwed, Adams & McGinley, P.A. if You Have Been Involved in a Boating Accident in Florida

As the 2017 boating statistics recently released by the FFWC reflect, boating accidents are unfortunately all too common in Florida. Boating accidents occur with greater frequency in Florida than anywhere else in the United States, and there is a high incidence of death and injury in Florida due to boating accidents. Due to the fact that our experienced personal injury attorneys have more than 150 years of combined practice, the lawyers of Schwed, Adams & McGinley have represented numerous victims of Florida boating accidents and well understand both how often these tragedies occur as well as the devastating impact these tragedies can have on a decedent’s family, friends and loved ones. If you, a family member or a loved one has been injured or killed in a boating accident, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Schwed, Adams & McGinley, P.A at 877-694-6079 or contact@schwedlawfirm.com for a free consultation today.