Alcohol Consumption And Boat Accidents
When friends gather for a fun day out on the water, they need to do so responsibly. While it is legal to have alcoholic beverages on boats in Florida, understanding the risks of boating while intoxicated is essential to having a safe day out on the water. Boat operators need to be sober, never operate a maritime vehicle when intoxicated. Many boat accidents, including those on sailboats and large motorboats, have been attributed to drinking.
If alcohol consumption on a boat resulted in the operator ignoring safety measures or behaving recklessly due to low inhibitions and you were hurt, you need to connect with an accident attorney. Legal professionals will analyze the specifics of your case and inform you of possible outcomes. Whether the boating accident occurred in Clearwater, Hudson, or Tampa, help is available.
Assessing Liability After a Maritime Accident
After an accident, liability will be determined. Sometimes it is immediately clear why an accident occurred, but there are also times when there are a few different reasons and who was at fault is more complex.
A boat operator could be negligent in any of the following ways:
- Alcohol consumption resulted in a loss of control of the boat.
- Well-established safety gear was not on board.
- Inclement weather should have led to a cancellation.
- Reckless turns and irresponsible behavior.
A large majority of boat accident fatalities occur on private vessels in the state of Florida, and many of these involve alcohol consumption. When alcohol or drug use is combined with fast speeds and operators who are inexperienced, the results can be devastating.
Rental Boats and Liability Waivers
When there is a maritime accident and there are charter boats or rentals involved, it is likely that individuals on the boats have signed waivers with the rental company. While these waivers do protect the companies from financial loss in some situations, there are other circumstances in which legal action is possible and necessary. An attorney can look over the waiver in question, and if language is unclear, the company could be held accountable financially despite the waiver being signed.
Personal injury attorneys have the skills to secure full compensation from insurance companies when a person has been injured in a boating accident, car crash, or slip and fall event. It is normal to have a list of questions about damage recovery when you are coping with pain, suffering, lost income, and a stack of medical bills. Answers are available, talk to a Florida personal injury lawyer to learn more.
Are you recovering from an injury sustained in a Florida boat accident? If an accident resulted in severe injuries, you need the attorneys at Roman & Roman fighting for your rights. There can be legal complexities when it comes to maritime accidents, but a knowledgeable attorney has the experience to determine the worth of your claim and understands what steps you should take to strengthen your case. Our talented lawyers have over 100 years of combined personal injury experience. Schedule your no-obligation, free consultation today.