Florida has over 10,000 miles of rivers, streams, lakes and ocean coastline. All of this water makes Miami, Key West, Fort Lauderdale and the other cities in Florida ideal for people to enjoy cruises, pleasure boating, fishing, scuba diving, jet skis, wave runners, paddle boarding and other water activities and watercraft. The Miami, Florida boating accident lawyers at H&B know that, as enjoyable as these activities can be, they are also very dangerous and can lead to serious injury if someone is negligent.

Every boat or watercraft operator has a responsibility to operate his or her boat or watercraft safely and to navigate the waters carefully. Should an operator be negligent in the operation of a vessel, they may be held liable along with the owner for injuries or harm sustained as a result of their negligence.

On average, there are over 1,000 reported boating accidents every year in Florida. Causes of boat accidents can include the lack of experience operating a boat or the lack of familiarity with the waters, recklessness, speeding, operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or other substances and occasionally the defective design or manufacture of boats or personal watercraft.

The harm that can result from boating accidents is often severe and can include traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, paralysis, fractures, drowning, death and even severe and permanent disfigurement from being caught in boat propellers. The majority of deaths from these accidents are classified as drowning even when other incapacitating injuries were inflicted and in many cases, the victims were not wearing life jackets.

If you or someone you know has suffered harm as a result of a boating accident, jet ski accident, wave runner accident or other maritime accident, contact a Miami, Fl. maritime injury attorney at Hannon & Boyers today. We have extensive experience in handling marine and boating lawsuits throughout Florida. Call (800) 545-9100 for a free consultation.