We all know that most drivers have auto insurance, which is required by law in Florida. But what about your boat? If you get into a boat accident, does your auto policy cover that? If you’re the one injured, can you sue a boat driver?
Florida auto insurance policies don’t cover boating accidents, which means if you are injured in a boating accident, then there might be some doubt on where your compensation is coming from.
Jet Ski Rider Injured in Collision with Boat
On Thursday, December 5, 2019, a jet ski rider collided with a boat near the Treasure Island Causeway Bridge in Treasure Island. According to the Pinellas County Sherriff’s Office, the accident happened around 12:30 p.m. when the jet ski rider was involved in a collision with a boat.
The rider suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital. His injuries were serious, but he is expected to make survive. Neither drugs nor alcohol were believed to be a factor in the crash.
Who Pays in Boat Crash?
In some ways, a boating collision is similar to an auto accident. The injured person is entitled to compensation if the boat driver was negligent in their actions. However, there are many differences, such as many boat operators don’t have boat insurance, which might make it difficult for the injured person to collect for their injuries.
In Florida, auto insurance is required, but not boater’s insurance. Those who operated boats can purchase liability insurance which will then cover the boat owner or operator for any damages they cause others.
Homeowner’s Insurance
If the boat owner is a homeowner, then the injured might be able to claim compensation for any injuries on the homeowner’s insurance policy. In many cases, these will pay up to $100,000 in liability for injuries caused by the homeowner.
However, not all boater’s have a homeowner’s policy which then might leave the injured out of luck getting compensation.
Making a Boating Claim in Florida
The injured person can make a claim against the at-fault boat driver but must prove that he or she was negligent and that the negligence must be the cause of the injuries. Simply put, negligence is any conduct where the driver didn’t give the injured person the due care they deserved. This could mean speeding, distracted boating, impaired boating, failing to give another watercraft the right-of-way.
The injured then would need to submit a claim to the insurance company involved, if any. The insurance company might settle or they might deny the claim and force the injured person to file a lawsuit.
Contact a Tampa Personal Injury Lawyer
Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We will answer your questions, make recommendations and provide you with a free, confidential evaluation of your injury claim, all without obligation to use our legal services.
Everyone at Hancock Injury Attorneys, from our receptionist and paralegals to our boat accident lawyers, are committed to providing our clients with exceptional legal representation and client service.
Hancock Injury Attorneys has been representing clients in Tampa and surrounding communities since 1996.
