Bonita Beach, FL Boat Accident Lawyer
Bonita Beach offers many opportunities for recreational boaters and fisherman to enjoy time on the water. Unfortunately, a high number of these boaters are involved in harmful accidents. In many cases, these crashes are suffered as the result of other parties’ negligence.
Thankfully, at-fault parties may be sued for boat accidents they cause. There are multiple types of losses that may be accounted for in such cases. However, defendants may try to utilize certain strategies to avoid paying for the damages they caused.
After a harmful boat accident in Bonita Beach, FL, seek support from our experienced boat accident attorneys at Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. by calling (305) 204-5369.
Different Types of Boat Accidents that Happen in Bonita Beach, FL
The strategies used in your boat accident lawsuit can vary depending on the type of accident you suffered. The following are examples of different types of boat accidents that happen in Bonita Beach, FL:
Collisions with Fixed Objects
First, many passengers on boats are injured because of collisions with fixed objects like sandbars, piers, rocks, and docks. Victims of these accidents can suffer devastating injuries when they are thrown into the water or when they strike hard objects inside of their vessels.
In many cases, boats collide with fixed objects because their drivers are impaired or distracted. If you suffered such a collision, our boat accident attorneys can evaluate the strength of your claim against your boat’s driver.
Collisions with Other Boats
Another common type of boat accident involves collisions with other boats. These accidents are particularly common on weekdays and over holiday periods, when many recreational boaters are off work and free to hit the water. These types of accidents typically happen as the result of operator negligence. For example, two boats may crash because one driver was not using the appropriate channel. Further, a boater may strike another vessel because they were testing behind the wheel. In any case, if you were hurt because of a collision with another boat, then you may be able to sue the at-fault party.
Propeller Accidents
Propeller accidents happen when people in the water are contacted by boats’ propellers. These accidents can cause deadly harm like internal organ damage and extreme loss of blood. In some cases, propeller accidents happen when passengers are thrown overboard and drawn underneath their vessels. Furthermore, propeller accidents can also happen when boat drivers do not notice swimmers, paddleboarders, and kayakers sharing the water. Victims of such accidents may be entitled to multiple forms of monetary damages.
Flooding and Sinking Accidents
Finally, some people are injured because of flooding and sinking accidents. These accidents usually occur because watercrafts’ weight limits are violated. For instance, someone may suffer painful drowning injuries because they were on an overcrowded boat that flooded and sank. In that case, the victim could pursue payment from an at-fault party for damages they incurred.
Common Causes of Boating Accidents in Bonita Beach, FL
There are several different forms of negligence that can lead to boating accidents. For instance, distracted driving is one of the most common sources of boating accidents in Bonita Beach. Boaters can become distracted by various activities that take their eyes off the water, hands off the wheel, or attention away from the task of boating. Examples of activities that distract boaters include texting, eating, talking with passengers, and operating GPS systems. While distracted, boaters will have difficulty accounting for their surroundings and noticing other vessels on the water. Thankfully, distracted boaters can be sued for collisions they cause.
Many boat accidents also occur because of speeding drivers. When travelling at excessive speeds, boaters may have trouble avoiding other vessels and various stationary objects. Additionally, boaters who run into wakes at high speeds are prone to throwing their passengers overboard. Unfortunately, accidents that happen at high speeds are also more likely to cause severe injuries.
Finally, drunk boating is also a very common cause of boating accidents in Bonita Beach. Many recreational boaters do not fully appreciate the dangers of boating while impaired. They will exhibit delayed reaction times, poor vision, and reckless decision-making ability behind the wheel. Accidents caused by drunk boaters are particularly common at night, on the weekends, and over the holidays. If you suspect that your accident was caused by a drunk boater, you should begin working on your potential case right away.
Potential Injuries Caused by Boating Accidents in Bonita Beach, FL
Boat accidents can lead to a wide array of painful and debilitating injuries. For example, many boating accidents cause people to suffer broken bones. Victims may sustain such injuries because they struck a hard object inside of their vessel during their crash. Furthermore, broken bones may occur when individuals are thrown from their vessels and collide with hard objects like docks, sandbars, and rocks. These injuries can be excruciating. Also, some victims with broken bones may require surgical treatment.
Spinal cord injuries are another common type of harm caused by boating accidents. In additional to causing immense degrees of pain, spinal cord damage can also lead to partial or complete paralysis. Thankfully, plaintiffs who suffer these injuries can obtain payment for both the economic and non-economic damages they incurred.
Additionally, some boating accident victims will sustain traumatic brain injuries. These injuries usually result from physical blows to the head. Similar to spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries can produce a range of symptoms that severely limit peoples’ abilities to work and enjoy their lives.
Finally, victims of boating accidents can suffer several types of non-fatal drowning injuries. During a drowning accident, victims breath water into their lungs. When this happens, they are no longer able to supply oxygen to their body. This lack of oxygen can quickly cause problems to various organs including the heart and the brain.
Call Our Attorneys for Help After Suffering a Boating Accident in Bonita Beach, FL
Seek guidance from our experienced boat accident lawyers at Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. by dialing (305) 204-5369.
