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Boating Accidents in Palm Beach County

With more than one million registered recreational boats, Florida is the undisputed boating capital of the United States. Our year-round sunny, warm weather and miles of beautiful coastline make Florida a boater’s paradise. Unfortunately, more boats mean more boat accidents. Last year, there were 659 boat accidents in Florida, leading to 59 deaths and 408 injuries. Palm Beach County had a particularly high number of boat accidents, ranking third in the state with 52 accidents. The number of accidents is highest in the spring and summer, with a peak in July.[1]

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the most common type of boating accident is colliding with either a fixed object or another vessel. Other types of accidents include a person falling overboard, grounding, the boat capsizing or sinking, and a fire or explosion on the boat.[2]

Just like car accidents can occur for a multitude of reasons, so can boat accidents. The most common cause is operator inattention[3]. A boat captain must constantly be on the lookout for dangers on all sides of the boat. Unlike driving a car, there are no lanes in the waterways, so other vessels can come from any direction. The captain also must regularly check for any obstructions in the boat’s path. If friends or family are hanging out on the boat, it can be easy for the captain to become distracted and make an error.

Another common cause of boat accidents in Florida is operator inexperience[4]. A boat captain should complete a boating safety course and be experienced with operating a boat. An inexperienced operator may misjudge distances or directions, may not realize if the water is too shallow, and may make poor judgement calls that cause an accident.

The third most common cause of boat accidents is machinery failure[5]. If the boat’s systems malfunction, that can cause the operator to lose control of the boat, leading to a collision or grounding. Other common causes of boating accidents include driving the boat at excessive speeds and boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

If your South Florida boating trip turned into a boating nightmare, call ECanter Lawyers. We will analyze the details of your case to determine if your injuries were caused due to someone else’s negligence. You may be entitled to compensation to cover your doctor and hospital bills, prescriptions, physical therapy, occupational therapy, assistive devices, and pain and suffering. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can start fighting for you to receive every penny you deserve.

ECanter Lawyers

When you are dealing with the chaos and pain of accidents and personal injuries, the last thing you need is technical, confusing legal language.  ECanter Lawyers breaks down the complexities and provides clear, informative answers so that you understand your legal options. 

For a quarter of a century, ECanter Lawyers has remained committed to honest, straightforward answers.  Named one of AVVO’s Clients’ Choice, ECanter Lawyers has helped clients receive multi-million-dollar verdicts, and millions of dollars in settlements.  ECanter Lawyers specializes in personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, premises and product liability, and healthcare law.

With offices conveniently located throughout South Florida and 24/7 services, ECanter Lawyers personal injury law firm offers you the personalized attention that you need in order to maximize your compensation. 

ECanter Lawyers

561-447-4500

Boca Raton | West Palm Beach | Coral Springs | Ft. Lauderdale | Miami 

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[1] Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Florida Boating Accident Statistical Report (myfwc.com). Accessed June 11, 2024.

[2]FWC. Florida Boating Accident Statistical Report (myfwc.com). Accessed June 11, 2024.

[3] FWC. Florida Boating Accident Statistical Report (myfwc.com). Accessed June 11, 2024.

[4] FWC. Florida Boating Accident Statistical Report (myfwc.com). Accessed June 11, 2024.

[5] FWC. Florida Boating Accident Statistical Report (myfwc.com). Accessed June 11, 2024.