Tampa Boating Accident Lawyer
If you’re looking for a trusted Tampa boating accident lawyer, it’s important to understand the risks involved in Florida’s busy waterways. Florida has almost a million registered vessels — the most in the country — and also, unfortunately, the most boating accidents of any state. Last year, there were 836 reportable boating accidents statewide, with more than 530 people injured in these accidents. Many had extremely serious injuries, including head and spinal cord injuries and broken bones, and 80 people died from their boating accident injuries.
Boating accidents in Tampa Bay and on rivers and lakes throughout Hillsborough County often cause serious injuries and deaths. Last year, Hillsborough ranked 14th out of the 67 Florida counties for the number of reportable boating accidents that took place on the county’s waterways.
People injured in these boating accidents often find it hard to deal with the physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial pressure their injuries cause. Dennis Hernandez, a fifth-generation native of Tampa, and his experienced legal team have helped hundreds of accident victims throughout Florida and understand the challenges they face. If a boating accident in the Tampa area seriously injured you or a loved one, our team is ready to fight for justice and pursue the full compensation you deserve.
WHAT TYPES OF INJURIES OCCUR IN BOATING ACCIDENTS NEAR TAMPA?
Multiple injuries are common in Tampa boating accidents. Injured victims may have severe or fatal injuries, including:
- Bone fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lung injuries
- Drowning
WHAT KINDS OF BOATING ACCIDENTS OCCUR NEAR TAMPA, FLORIDA?
Watercraft vessels are popular along the 8,346 miles of Florida’s Atlantic and Gulf shorelines, in Hillsborough County’s rivers and lakes, and in the 400 square miles of Tampa Bay. Accidents may involve any kind of watercraft, from yacht to kayak to a towed inner tube.
Section 372.02 of the Florida Statutes defines a boating accident as a collision, accident, or casualty involving a vessel. This includes incidents while the vessel is in, on, entering, or leaving the water. The law lists examples such as vessel collisions, capsizing, sinking, and incidents causing injury, death, or property damage.
Statistics from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Division of Law Enforcement show that in Florida:
- The most common type of fatal boating accident is falling overboard.
- The most common cause of death in boating accidents is drowning.
- The most common type of boating accident involves a collision with another boat or with a personal watercraft, such as a jet ski.
HOW CAN A DENNIS HERNANDEZ LAWYER HELP ME?
In Florida, anyone operating a boat or other watercraft must follow the law and avoid negligent or reckless behavior. When operators act carelessly and cause accidents, they can be held legally responsible for the injuries and damage they cause. The law may then require them to compensate victims for their losses.
Examples of negligent and reckless behavior include:
- Operating a vessel while under the influence of drugs.
- Operating a vessel while intoxicated.
- Not following standard boating safety procedures.
If you seek help from the Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys law firm, our Tampa boating accident legal team will:
- Perform a thorough investigation of the accident and gather evidence to demonstrate who was at fault.
- Consult medical experts and collect evidence to show the full extent of the harm you have suffered and should be compensated for.
- Find out if the boat rental company or boat owner (if different from the boat operator) could be liable for your injuries.
- Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies on your behalf and be thoroughly prepared to go to court to get you all the compensation you deserve.
HOW MUCH FINANCIAL COMPENSATION CAN I EXPECT FOR MY BOATING ACCIDENT?
The Tampa boating accident lawyers at Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys work hard to help you recover all entitled compensation. They use their dedication, negotiation skills, and litigation experience to strengthen your case.
- Your physical pain
- Your mental and emotional suffering
- Lost income and decreased earning capacity
- Current and future medical expenses
- Diminished capacity to enjoy life
- Property damage
- Other expenses and losses that are recoverable under Florida law.
WHERE TO GET LEGAL HELP IN TAMPA FROM AN EXPERIENCED BOATING ACCIDENT LAWYER
The Tampa boating accident lawyers at Dennis Hernandez will work tirelessly to make sure you receive full and fair compensation. We gather timely evidence to prove negligence and aggressively negotiate on your behalf. Our team clearly demonstrates your need for compensation for all the physical, emotional, and financial harm caused by the accident.
We never back down and, unlike some other Florida boat accident lawyers, we don’t push for early settlements just to avoid trial. If going to court is what it takes to secure fair compensation, we’re ready for the challenge. Throughout every step of the legal process, our team remains committed to delivering outstanding support and advocacy.
Call us today at 855.529.3366, or fill out the FREE CASE EVALUATION form on our website to get started on your case.