Orlando Boating Accident Lawyer

Waterways in and around Orlando, Florida, provide abundant opportunities for recreational boating. Residents and visitors alike enjoy going out on the area’s lakes and rivers for fishing, watching wildlife, celebrating special events, or simply relaxing. The Atlantic Coast and the Gulf Coast are also both a short drive away.

Unfortunately, this access to waterways and recreational boating has a downside. Statewide, Florida has more water vessel accidents than any state in the U.S., with 836 accidents in 2020 alone. Among all of the counties in Florida, Orlando’s Orange County ranked as the 30th most dangerous county for boating accidents. This puts it in the bottom half of Florida’s 67 counties for boating safety.

Many of these boating and personal watercraft vessel accidents cause serious injuries. These include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, lung injuries, lacerations, broken bones, and accidental amputations. Falling overboard and drowning is a common cause of boating accident fatalities.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a boating accident, you may feel overwhelmed. You have to deal with many new problems at once. These include pain, psychological distress, bills for medical care, decreased income, and upsetting changes to your family’s way of life. The Dennis Hernandez Orlando boating accident attorneys understand what you are going through and want to help. We have had the privilege of helping accident victims throughout Florida for many years. We fight for justice and fair compensation for people injured in boating accidents.

WHAT TYPES OF BOATING ACCIDENTS OCCUR IN ORLANDO?

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s 2020 Florida Boating Accident Report, the primary type of boating accident in Florida in 2020 was a collision with another vessel or with a fixed object, such as a dock, rock, or channel marker. Most accidents occurred while a boat was cruising. A smaller number happened when a boat was docked, changing direction, drifting, changing speed, at anchor, or docking or undocking.

Open motorboats accounted for the highest number of boating accidents, followed by personal watercraft, cabin motorboats, sailboats, pontoon boats, airboats, canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and houseboats. Most of the vessels involved in these incidents were fiberglass models powered by gas engines.

The wide range of types of boating accidents is recognized in Florida law. Section 372.02 of the Florida Statutes defines “boating accident” broadly. It includes the many types of collisions and other accidents that may occur when a vessel is in, upon, or getting into or leaving the water.

NEGLIGENCE IN ORLANDO BOATING ACCIDENTS

Most boating accidents in Florida occur because a boating or personal-vessel operator is negligent. The most common cause of a vessel accident is boat operators not paying attention to where they are going or not recognizing potential dangers. This can happen when vessel operators are distracted by talking to other passengers or when using their phones or other devices. Operator inexperience is another common cause of accidents.

Courts may hold vessel operators at fault for an accident if they act negligently or recklessly. In addition to being inattentive or inexperienced, reasons that operators may be at fault include:

• Causing an accident when under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Not following navigational rules
• Ignoring safety procedures
• Not properly maintaining their vessels

HOW CAN A DENNIS HERNANDEZ ORLANDO BOATING ACCIDENT LAWYER HELP INJURED VICTIMS?

Florida law holds boat and personal vessel operators legally responsible when they cause an accident by operating their vessel negligently or recklessly. If a boating accident injured you or a loved one, you may have the right to file a lawsuit. You can file against the negligent operator and receive substantial compensation for your injuries.

The Dennis Hernandez Orlando boating accident lawyers are committed to helping victims recover the fair compensation they deserve under the law. We achieve this by:

• Conducting a thorough investigation of the cause of the accident.
• Determining who was at fault and, should, therefore, be held liable for your injuries.
• Working with medical experts to determine your present and future medical needs.
• We negotiate aggressively and stay prepared to take your case as far as needed to secure the maximum compensation for your injuries.

FINANCIAL COMPENSATION FOR ORLANDO BOATING ACCIDENT VICTIMS

The experienced Dennis Hernandez accident lawyers work tirelessly to help you recover full compensation for your expenses and losses. We will fight back against insurance companies’ attempts to pay you less than you deserve. This potentially includes substantial compensation for:

• Pain and suffering
• Diminished enjoyment of life
• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost income
• Property damage
• Mental anguish
• Other damages recoverable under Florida law

GET HELP FROM AN EXPERIENCED ORLANDO BOATING ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

A Dennis Hernandez Orlando boating accident attorney will ensure you get all that you are entitled to. We will build a powerful case for you by gathering evidence, negotiating aggressively, and demonstrating your need for compensation for all of your losses — and never backing down.

To get started on your case, call us today at 855.529.3366 or fill in the FREE CASE EVALUATION form on our website.