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Riding the waves and sailing the open seas can be exhilarating experiences for boat lovers. However, as your Fort Myers personal injury lawyer will tell you, those who operate or ride in boats, can experience accidents that can result in injury. Sadly, the state of Florida has a large number of boat accidents every year. Why? Boating accidents occur for a variety of reasons ranging from boaters not being knowledgeable about the rules of the water to negligent operation of the boat.

Although Florida is a mild weather state for most of the year, there are certain times of the year during which boating activities increase. As boating activity picks up, so do the number of accidents. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, about 94 percent of all fatal accidents that took place on boats in 2011 involved vessels that were 21 feet or less. 

In fact, the FFWCC is currently investigating a recent accident that involved a personal watercraft and a tour boat. Two individuals recently lost their lives in that collision that took place near the Clearwater Memorial Causeway bridge. People who were on the tour boat suggested that the two individuals who were killed crashed after attempting to outrun the boat with their water scooter. An FFWCC spokesman stated that the accident should remind individuals about the dangers of personal watercrafts.

The Law

As Fort Myers personal injury lawyer Randall Spivey will tell you, in order to avoid boating accidents, boaters need to be educated. Many individuals who operate personal watercrafts of any kind do so without having any special knowledge of the watercraft's unique characteristics. In addition, many are unaware of proper boating etiquette in regards to what to do when another watercraft is approaching them.

Individuals who were born on or after January 1, 1988, are required under Florida law to complete an education course for boaters prior to operating any water vessel that is powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or greater. Additionally, such operators must carry a Boating Safety Education ID card with them any time they operate a water vessel.

Any victim who sustains an injury or loses a loved one due to a boating accident that was caused by another boater may be able to obtain monetary compensation for their injuries or their loved one's death. Accident victims are encourage to work with well-versed personal injury attorneys to learn more about their rights under the law.

Boating Negligence

There are a number of situations in which a boat operator might be deemed to have been negligent and, accordingly, legally responsible for a person's injuries. For example, boat overloading and overcrowding can lead to injuries. Likewise, operating watercrafts at a high rate of speed, as well as not knowing water navigation rules, can also result in injuries to others and passengers on the watercraft.

Accident victims who are injured due to a boat operator's negligence might be entitled to receive compensation that will cover medical bills, lost pay and pain and suffering. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed by a boating accident, you should contact a Fort Myers personal injury lawyer at the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, PA right away.