Tampa Boat Accident Lawyer
Seeking full compensation for serious injuries and drownings
Florida is one of the greatest places in the world to enjoy boating. Unfortunately, not everyone who goes out on the water behaves responsibly. If you or a loved one suffered harm in a boat accident, you should know that the same laws of negligence we must follow on dry land also apply on the sea. Since 1976, The Matassini Law Firm, P.A. has fought for injured Floridians to get them and their loved ones the full measure of compensation to which they’re entitled. Our skilled Tampa boat accident lawyers draw on more than 60 years of combined experience to investigate and assess your accident, then litigate aggressively to help you maximize your compensation.
What is considered a boat accident under Florida law?
There are four accident scenarios where Florida law requires a boat operator to take action:
- Personal injuries requiring more than first first-aid
- Death
- Disappearance of a person indicating death or injury
- Damage to property of $2,000 or more
The operator must, by the quickest means possible, give notice to one of the following:
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Sheriff of the county in which the accident occurred
- Police chief of the municipality in which the accident occurred
It is illegal for an operator of a vessel involved in an accident to leave the scene without giving all possible aid to the involved persons.
What role do safety violations play in boating accident litigation?
Water safety guidelines are more than good advice: in most cases, they are the law, codified in the Florida Statutes Chapters 327 and 328. Violations increase the likelihood of an accident and can be used as evidence of recklessness or negligence in a civil lawsuit. Common violations of boating laws are similar to equally dangerous behavior on the road:
- Speeding
- Boating under the influence (BUI)
- Reckless operation
- Careless operation
According to the United States Coast Guard, (which enforces federal law that prohibits BUI) alcohol use is a factor in about one-third of all recreational boating fatalities, and in those instances where BUI was indicated, more than half the operators had capsized their boats.
Consult our Tampa legal team today for assistance with your boating accident case
You have the right to enjoy Florida’s waters without fear of reckless or negligent boaters. If you or a loved one has suffered injury or wrongful death, The Matassini Law Firm, P.A. is committed to obtaining the maximum compensation possible. Call our Tampa boat accident lawyers today at 813-217-5715 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
