Mike Hancock is the founder of Hancock Injury Attorneys, a former insurance defense attorney, and an AV-Preeminent–rated lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell, with over 35 years of experience practicing personal injury law.
During the summer, you can see boats out all over the bay. In Florida, they are widely used in all types of conditions. All this to say, it’s not crazy to think that a boat accident can be just as dangerous as a car accident. Boats also do not come equipped with safety features that cars have, such as brakes, seat belts, and airbags. So potentially they are even more dangerous than cars.
If a boating accident results in a fatality, speaking with a Tampa wrongful death lawyer can help families understand their legal options for pursuing compensation.
In one recent case, the family of a man killed in a boat crash claimed that another man was not paying attention when he plowed into a stationary boat. A total of three people were killed.
Avoiding Accidents In The Water
Most boating accidents, like car accidents, are avoidable. Some key tips include:
- Making sure the driver is sober, just like when in a car
- Following speed limits
- Staying in the designated channel markers
- Following the wake restriction signs
- Boating only when weather permits
- This includes checking wind speeds, tide times, and wave heights
- Watching out for other boats that may not be paying attention themselves
- Knowing boating laws
- Putting boat lights on in bad weather or dark conditions
When safety rules are ignored, a Tampa boat accident lawyer can assist victims and families after serious or fatal boating incidents. In the case mentioned above, the defendant’s boat was moving while the plaintiff’s was stationary. Boating laws require the moving boat to yield to the stationary boat.
Elements Of A Wrongful Death Boating Accident
In a case that involves a watercraft and wrongful death, there are three main components that have to hold true for the case to be successful:
- The actual death of a human
- Death caused by negligence, or intent to harm
- Family members who are alive suffer economically as a result of the death
Source: FindLaw
Is a friend or family member a victim of a wrongful death boating accident? Call Injury Attorney Mike Hancock at 813-915-1110 for a free consultation today.