Operators of boats have a duty of care in operating their boat to avoid injury to passengers, other boats and swimmers. Where they are negligent, the injured parties may maintain an action for damages similar to car accident litigation or other personal injury case. In these accidents it is an urgent matter to inspect and secure the evidence of the accident soon after it occurs. If you have been injured in a boat accident, you are urged to contact a St. Petersburg personal injury attorney skilled in boat accidents litigation.

Boating Safety Requirements

Most boating accidents are the result of operators not knowing what they are doing or taking undue risks. Serious accidents occur from capsizing, running into other boats or passengers falling overboard. A boating operator has numerous safety requirements to follow. He must not operate the watercraft near swimmers. He may not go near other boats in such a way as to necessitate abrupt swerves. He must have adequate life preservers and fire extinguishers and needs to keep the boat in safe condition with no fuel leaks or excessive water in the bilge. He is responsible to prevent the passengers from sitting on the gunwales or bow. He must observe a speed which is reasonable for conditions and may not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Boating Accident Attorney in St. Petersburg

We at LeavenLaw are a boating accidents firm serving the St. Petersburg, Florida area. Our boating accident attorneys conduct a thorough investigation of the circumstances of the accident. Every effort is made to collect all evidence so that the accident may be accurately reconstructed. We also work to make an accurate of assessment of our client’s damages. This will include medical expenses, hospitalization costs, loss of income, lost earning capacity and pain and suffering. Where the accident victim has died, we seek a wrongful death action on behalf of the family. With our preparation done we energetically negotiate with the insurance company. If the company refuses to be reasonable, however, we are quite ready and willing to take the case to court to achieve what is just.