We Hold Reckless Boaters Responsible For Accidents

As with any motorized vehicles, a collision between two boats can cause serious injuries or death. Like automobile accidents, many boating accidents are caused by people who have been drinking. And like drunk drivers, drunk boaters (or Jet Ski operators) need to be held responsible for the injuries they cause.

Drunk boating isn’t the only cause of boating accidents. Reckless boating, speeding and failing to pay attention to others in the water – water-skiers, Jet Skiers and other boaters – can have serious consequences. However, recklessness and negligence in operating a boat can be particularly difficult to prove. It helps to have an experienced lawyer on your side. At Culpepper Kurland, we represent people injured in boating accidents in the Tampa Bay area.

Common Causes Of Boat Accidents

Tampa’s beautiful coastline and bays attract thousands of boaters every year, but unfortunately, accidents on the water are not uncommon. Some of the most frequent causes of boat accidents in Tampa include:

• Operator inattention or inexperience: Many accidents occur because the boat operator is distracted or lacks proper training.
• Speeding: Traveling at excessive speeds, especially in crowded or unfamiliar waters, can lead to serious collisions.
• Boating under the influence (BUI): Operating a vessel while impaired by alcohol or drugs is both dangerous and illegal.
• Mechanical failure: Poor maintenance or defective parts can lead to unexpected malfunctions while on the water.
• Weather and water conditions: Sudden changes in weather or rough seas can quickly create hazardous situations.

Whether you are on a fishing boat, Jet Ski or larger vessel, these risks can escalate without proper caution and preparation.

Common Injuries Caused In Boat Accidents

Boating accidents in Tampa can result in various injuries, from minor to life-threatening. Due to the nature of watercraft and open waters, victims are more vulnerable.

Some common injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) from falls or blunt force trauma
• Broken bones and fractures, especially from ejection or impact
• Drowning or near-drowning incidents
• Lacerations from propellers or debris
• Spinal cord injuries, sometimes leading to long-term disability

Even seemingly minor accidents can cause lasting damage. If you have been injured in a boating incident, seeking medical attention and legal guidance is imperative.

Establishing Liability

Determining who is at fault in a Tampa boat accident requires a close look at the facts. Liability depends on whether someone acted negligently or broke boating laws. This could include the boat operator, rental company or even a manufacturer.

Evidence like eyewitness accounts, maintenance records or police reports are vital to establishing liability. Our skilled attorney can help investigate the accident and determine who should be held responsible.

We Will Look At All Options To Help Your Case

A defective boat part or bad design can also cause a boat captain to lose control. Proving a products liability case involving a boating accident can require the help of engineering and accident reconstruction experts.

Our firm is dedicated to getting results for injured people and for families grieving the loss of loved ones in drunk boating accidents. At the law office of Culpepper Kurland, our attorneys have been protecting the rights of injured people in the Tampa Bay area for more than 10 years.

Bringing one of our experienced personal injury attorneys into your case as soon as possible after your injury will give us the best chance to gather and preserve evidence. We will analyze that evidence with the help of investigative experts and medical experts. We will then develop a strategy to resolve your claim as successfully as possible.

 

Contact Us Anytime For A Free Case Evaluation If you were injured in a boating accident in the Tampa Bay area, you need to understand your options for financial recovery. Contact the law office of Culpepper Kurland online or call us at 813.228.8600 to schedule a free consultation.