Ocala Boat Accident Attorney
Recreational boating is a common pastime for many people, especially in Florida. Nearby lakes and oceans make it easy to enjoy the day out on the water. However, tragedy can happen in an instant due to speeding, reckless driving, alcohol use, drowning, and other events. If someone else caused you injury while you were out boating, seek legal help. Contact an Ocala boating accident attorney to see if we can help you get compensation for your damages.
Types of Boating Accidents
Accidents can occur in the following types of vessels:
- Recreational boats
- Personal watercraft, such as jet skis
- Commercial boats
- Cruise ships
Serious boating accidents can occur from the following:
- Falls overboard. This is the most common type of fatality from a boating accident. This occurs when an occupant of a boat accidentally falls out. This happens quite often to anglers and hunters. It leads to death when the person cannot swim or gets trapped while in the water.
- Departing a vessel. When a person leaves a boat on their own, such as by jumping out rather than falling out, it is called departing a vessel. While it’s not so bad if the person can swim, it becomes deadly when the person is intoxicated.
- Capsizing. A boat can capsize when it is hit by a huge, powerful wave or when it collides with another boat or some other object.
- Collision. When a boat collides with a boat with a fixed object, it can lead to serious injuries for the occupants.
- Flooding. It is possible for the boat to fill with water, but stay buoyant. This can cause occupants to drown while the boat is still floating.
Causes of Boating Accidents
What causes boating crashes to occur? Here are some common reasons:
- Inexperienced operator. Many people think driving a boat is easy, since there is so much open water. This is not always the case. Even if you can drive a passenger vehicle well, a boat may be much harder. If you can’t drive it well, you could crash it.
- Alcohol use. Many people spend the day out on the water drinking alcohol, but this is illegal in Florida. Alcohol reduces reaction times and impairs judgment, making it dangerous to operate a boat.
- Speeding. Many boaters like to take their vessels to top speeds. They may find it fun, but it can be dangerous, especially if they lose control.
- Weather conditions. Wind and storms can make water dangerous and cause an accident.
- Equipment failure. A boat can suffer a defective part that can cause it to crash.
Contact an Ocala Boating Accident Attorney Today
Boating accidents happen more often than you may think and they can result in serious injuries, including drownings. While some crashes are caused by boater error, sometimes they are caused by other people. They can be held liable for your damages.
Seek legal help from the personal injury attorneys at Meldon Law. We can determine liability and help you obtain compensation. Have an Ocala boating accident attorney assess your case by calling (800) 373-3000.
