Many aspects of personal injury law hinge on your location at the time of your injury. Consistent with its name, Lake County has an abundance of lakes, and people in the surrounding areas regularly participate in various recreational water activities. An entirely different set of laws comes into play if you are injured on a boat. If you or a loved one has suffered a boating-related injury on a personal watercraft or a cruise ship, an experienced injury representative can examine your case and advise you of your rights.
You deserve a Mount Dora boat accident lawyer to collect evidence, prove the defendant’s negligence, and fight for the full extent of compensation you deserve.
State Boating Laws and Regulations Explained
Chapters 327 and 328 of Florida Statutes clearly define the laws surrounding boat operation in the Sunshine State, not only in terms of safety but also regarding vessel registration. Where boating accidents are concerned, though, the key laws in question are those that relate to dangerous and reckless operation of watercraft:
- All boat operators have a legal duty to care for vessels reasonably and prudently with regard to other vessels, posted restrictions and other circumstances so as not to pose a hazard.
- The penalty for operating a vessel with a willful disregard for the safety of others is a citation for reckless operation — a first-degree misdemeanor.
- Any violation of federal navigation rules is a crime.
Our knowledgeable boat accident attorneys in Mount Dora can examine your boat accident case and advise you of the specific laws and types of negligence that may be present. For example, boating under the influence (BUI) is a federal crime enforced by the Coast Guard and, as such, can be used as a factor of negligence in a state courts.
Who Might Need to Assume Responsibility for a Boating Accident?
The fact that you have been injured is not enough to build a valid personal injury claim. If you suffered an injury in a boating accident or on a cruise ship, you must prove that your injury was the direct result of negligence. Negligence can be either an action or inaction, such as when someone with a legal obligation to keep others free from harm fails to live up to that obligation. Some common negligent parties in a boating injury could therefore include:
- Cruise lines
- Personal watercraft owners
- Boat mechanics
- Boat rental agencies
Determining exactly who is to blame for a watercraft accident can be a unique challenge, but a seasoned lawyer in Mount Dora could collect evidence, speak with witnesses, and pinpoint the liable party.
Get Back on Track with the Help of a Mount Dora Boat Accident Attorney
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a boating accident, you deserve the best legal representation to maximize the potential of your case. Thankfully, you can schedule a free consultation with a Mount Dora boat accident lawyer by filling out our online contact form. The sooner you begin, the greater your chances of collecting the compensation you deserve.
