Boating accidents are fairly common in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and there are a number of entities who can be held liable after an accident. A boat accident lawyer can help you sort out who is responsible, calculate your damages, and bring a claim for everything you’ve lost.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Fort Lauderdale, FL Boating Accident?
The most obvious choice is usually the boat operator. Whoever was controlling the boat has a responsibility to do so safely, avoid speeding, follow all waterway rules, and never operate a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Another possible liable party would be the owner of the boat, if that person is someone different from the operator, and the owner allowed someone who was not properly experienced or who they knew was intoxicated to use the boat. If someone stole the boat, you would not typically be able to hold the boat owner responsible.
Another possible liable party could be a rental company. If a boat that you rented wasn’t properly maintained or the right safety equipment was not provided, the rental company could be to blame. And if the rental boat company rents to someone who is obviously intoxicated or otherwise unfit to be operating a boat, and that person hits you, you may be able to hold the rental company liable. Less commonly, a passenger or swimmer could actually be to blame after an accident, but usually only if they are recklessly interfering with the management of a boat or are not following swimmer safety rules.
Who Can Operate a Boat in Florida, and What Are the Rules?
If you were born on or after January 1, 1988, then you must take a special boating course to be allowed to operate boats in Florida. Boats other than small, non-motorized boats like kayaks have to be registered, and every boat must have an approved life jacket for each person on board. Any child under six has to be wearing their life jacket whenever the vessel is underway. If the boat is 16 feet or longer, there must also be a throwable flotation device that can be tossed to someone who goes overboard unexpectedly.
Boats also have to have fire extinguishers, visual distress signals, and sound-producing devices like a whistle or a bell. The waterways around Fort Lauderdale have speed limit limits as well as no-wake zones, and operators must honor these signs. You are not permitted to control a boat if your blood alcohol level is 0.08% or higher, and powerboats have to have red and green side lights and a white light on the stern. If someone was violating these rules, it makes it more likely they will be held liable for an accident.
If you’ve been in a boating accident, talk with our Fort Lauderdale boat accident lawyers right away to find out more about bringing a claim. Contact us now at G. Reynolds Legal, PLLC in Pompano Beach for help in Ft. Lauderdale and throughout the area.
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