Orlando Boating Accident Attorney
Recreational Boating & Personal Watercraft Injury Claims
If you need a boating accident lawyer in Orlando or vicinity, NeJame Law is here to help.
With its extensive network of lakes, bays, rivers, and waterways, Florida is home to many recreational boating enthusiasts. Unfortunately, what begins as a fun day on the water can quickly turn into a nightmare when fellow boaters and others act negligently, recklessly, or wrongfully.
If you were injured or if someone you love died in a boating accident, and you believe someone else was to blame, reach out to NeJame Law right away. You could be entitled to financial compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses, and our team can help. Our Orlando boating accident attorneys have extensive experience representing injured individuals and the families of those wrongfully killed in devastating recreational accidents throughout Orange County, and they have successfully secured numerous favorable settlements and verdicts on behalf of their clients.
Types of Boating Accidents
There are different types of boating accidents, including:
- Jet ski accidents
- Water ski accidents
- Collisions on waterways
- Dock injuries and accidents
- Tubing collisions with mechanized water vehicles
- Swimmer/boat collisions
- Sunken boats
Common Causes of Boating Accidents
County and state level authorities put rules in place to prevent accidents and keep those involved in water activities safe. When these regulations are not followed, accidents can happen. In fact, statistics show that negligence is the leading factor in recreational boating accidents in Florida.
This negligence in boating accidents can take many forms, including but not limited to:
- Inexperience and inattentiveness
- Violating navigational rules
- Boating while intoxicated/under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Operating a boat or personal watercraft at excessive speeds
- Failing to keep a proper lookout for people/objects in the water
- Boating while distracted
- Attempting to operate a watercraft in hazardous waters
- Reckless or dangerous maneuvers
Machinery and equipment failure are also relatively common in boating accidents. In such cases, injured individuals or the family members of those killed due to accidents caused by boat defects may have cases against the manufacturer, distributor, or another liable party.
Boating Accidents - Common Injuries
Boating accidents are unfortunate and may be devastating. Because they often occur on the water, they frequently lead to catastrophic injuries. These Injuries are often severe and frequently permanent, and they include:- Traumatic head injuries (TBI)
- Internal Injuries
- Severe injuries to limbs (including lost of limbs)
- Injuries to the neck and back, including spinal cord injuries
- Fractures
- Near-drownings
- Death
Who Is Liable for a Recreational Boating Accident?
Like other types of motor vehicle accident cases—such as those involving cars, motorcycles, and large trucks—boating accident claims are contingent on liability. In other words, to have a case, you must be able to prove that another person or party is legally responsible for your injuries and damages.
Proving liability in recreational boating accidents requires you to demonstrate each of the following elements:
- Another person or party owed you a duty of care
- The other person or party breached the duty of care
- You were injured as a result of the breach of the duty of care
- You suffered measurable damages
Generally speaking, all boaters owe others on the water—including fellow boaters, personal watercraft operators, water-skiers, wakeboarders, and swimmers—a duty of care. This means they have a responsibility to act reasonably and follow all applicable rules meant to keep others safe. If they fail to do this and, instead, act carelessly, recklessly, or wrongfully, leading to injury, they can be held responsible for the resulting damages.
At NeJame Law, our Orlando boating accident lawyers can conduct an exhaustive investigation into your claim to determine how the accident occurred and, most importantly, who is liable. We often work alongside a team of experts, including accident reconstructionists and medical specialists, to evaluate the full extent of our clients' injuries and damages. From there, we are able to prepare our clients' cases for litigation and aggressively negotiate settlements that cover all of our clients' current and future losses. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, our team of seasoned trial lawyers is ready to represent you in the courtroom.
Which Damages May Be Recovered In a Boating Accident Claims?
As previously mentioned, boating accidents frequently lead to severe, life-altering injuries. Victims and their loved ones often face serious challenges when it comes to healing and getting back on their feet.
Our personal injury lawyers fight to recover maximum compensation for all our clients' economic and non-economic damages, including but not limited to:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospitalization
- Ambulance fees
- Ongoing treatment and future care
- Rehabilitation
- Medications and medical equipment
- Lost income/wages, including future earnings
- Lost or reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Counseling and/or therapy
- In-home assistance/care
If your loved one died in a recreational boating accident in Orlando or anywhere in Orange County or the nearby areas, we can also assist you in filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the liable party and seeking compensation for damages such as medical expenses, funeral costs, lost income, lost inheritance, and loss of love, companionship, guidance, support, and counsel.
Personal Injury Attorneys You Can Rely On
With its close proximity to both the Gulf and the Atlantic, and the large number of lakes in Orlando and Central Florida, residents and tourists alike are frequently involved in waterway accidents such as jet ski and water ski accidents.
Facing the aftermath of such accidents can be overwhelming. When you are focused on getting proper medical care, managing day-to-day expenses, taking time off work, and healing from the accident, you shouldn't have to also worry about working with the insurance company to get the fair compensation you are owed. Instead, allow our legal team to fight for you.
Our experienced Orlando boat accident lawyers are prepared to handle the details of your case so that you can focus on moving forward. We have earned a reputation for successfully representing our clients' best interests, even when that means taking their cases to trial. Insurance companies know that we will not back down from a challenge, which often gives us the leverage needed to achieve swift, favorable settlements for our clients.
Regardless of the complexity of your case, NeJame Law is here for you. We provide free initial consultations and contingency fees, so you don't owe anything unless/until we recover compensation on your behalf.
