Boat Accident Lawyers Serving Jacksonville and Nearby Areas of Florida
Our Jacksonville boating accident lawyers are known for their relentless advocacy and track record of success. We don’t just talk tough, we back it up with years of hard-won victories.
The Jacksonville boating accident lawyers at Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers know that Florida consistently leads the nation in boating accidents. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, our state sees more than 400 boating accident injuries yearly, with some years even reaching 500+. Florida also leads the nation in fatal boating accidents, edging out both California and Texas, despite those states’ larger populations.
In Jacksonville and surrounding communities, where abundant waterways draw thousands of boaters every year, these statistics can serve as a sobering reminder of just how quickly a fun day on the water can turn devastating. Sadly, this devastation can continue for days, weeks, or even years. Many boating accident injuries are life-altering—from catastrophic head trauma to permanent spinal cord damage—impacting the financial stability, earning capacity, and overall quality of life of victims and their families.
Our Jacksonville Boating Accident Lawyers Can Help
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When you or someone you love is injured in a boating accident, knowing where to turn for help may be difficult. At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we have decades of experience investigating these accidents to establish liability and holding negligent parties accountable for the injuries they cause. If you are dealing with a boat accident injury, we can review your case for free to help you understand your rights, your options, and the best way to seek the compensation you are due.
Call Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers at 904-758-1111 or contact us online to schedule your complimentary consultation with one of our Jacksonville boat accident injury lawyers today.
Top Causes of Jacksonville Boat Accidents
Boating accidents can occur for any number of reasons. Unfortunately, many of those are rooted in some form of carelessness or oversight. Leading causes of boating accidents in Jacksonville include:
Boating Under the Influence
Just like driving a car, operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is extremely dangerous. Impaired judgment, slowed reaction times, and blurry vision can quickly turn a relaxing day on the water into a tragedy.
Speeding a Reckless Operation
Some boaters think going full-throttle is part of the fun, but this is never the case on busy waterways. Speeding makes it harder to react in time and maintain control. Reckless behavior, such as racing near busy channels or cutting too close to other boats, increases the likelihood of a serious collision.
Operator Inattention
Boating requires constant vigilance. If an operator is distracted by their phone, surroundings, or anything else, they can easily miss hazards like other boats and swimmers. Distracted boating is just as dangerous as all types of distracted driving.
Operator Inexperience
Learning how to safely operate a boat requires time and training. Simply completing a boating education course may not be enough to prepare a person to navigate through crowded waterways. Inexperience can allow for poor reaction times or missed hazards, placing everyone on the boat and in the water at risk.
Equipment Failure
Boats need regular maintenance to stay safe and reliable. Faulty steering, engine malfunctions, or a lack of proper safety gear like functioning radios can leave everyone on board vulnerable if something goes wrong.
Severe Weather Conditions
Even the most skilled operators may be no match for Mother Nature. Sudden storms, heavy winds, and rough waters can cause boats to capsize or collide with objects they’d normally avoid.
Far from a comprehensive list of all possible boating accident causes, these are issues our Jacksonville boating accident lawyers commonly encounter. However, even if the cause of your boat accident is not listed above, we encourage you to get in touch right away to discuss the best way to seek fair and full compensation.
Common Boating Accident Injuries
Numerous injuries can occur during a boating accident. By far the most common are lacerations and contusions, but more serious and even life-threatening injuries happen with alarming frequency as well. Injuries common in Jacksonville boating accidents include:
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
- Internal Organ Damage
- Fractured and Broken Bones
- Severe Burns
- Amputation
- Drowning and Near-Drowning
- Hypothermia
It should be noted that even lacerations can be serious. Injuries from propellers or broken glass can cause deep cuts, leading to infection and disfigurement.
Serious injuries are not often handled appropriately by insurance companies. They know that if they can coerce you into accepting a settlement, you will be barred from taking legal action. If you have been injured in a boat accident, talk to one of our Jacksonville boating accident lawyers before you accept any offers to make sure you are not missing out on the compensation you are entitled to.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Boating Accident in Jacksonville?
Determining liability in a boating accident can be more complicated than you might expect. Often, multiple parties share responsibility, and factors like where the accident took place—state waters vs. federal maritime jurisdiction—can influence which laws apply. Identifying all liable parties typically requires an investigation into the accident.
Depending on the nature of your boating accident, potentially liable parties include:
- Boat Operators. If the person operating the boat was negligent, reckless, or driving under the influence, they could be held directly responsible for your injuries.
- Boat Owners. Owners who fail to properly maintain their vessels, ensure that all safety gear is in working order, or adequately train operators may be held liable.
- Boat Manufacturers. Defective parts or poor vessel design can lead to product liability claims, holding the company that created or sold the boat responsible.
- Rental Companies and Marinas. Businesses that rent out watercraft or oversee docking areas must ensure their boats are safe and that renters understand basic safety rules. If they fail to do so, they may be liable as well.
Florida Boating Laws vs. Admiralty Law
One additional complexity in determining liability is which body of law governs your claim. If the boating accident occurs within Florida state waters—typically within a certain distance of the shore—our state’s boating laws and regulations will generally apply. These state rules cover things like required safety equipment and speed limits.
If the accident happens in navigable waters or beyond state boundaries, it may fall under Admiralty (Maritime) Law. Maritime Law is a specialized area that often involves different standards for proving negligence, different rules for what kind of compensation is available, and sometimes even a different statute of limitations.
Understanding whether your case falls under Florida law or Admiralty Law can make a significant difference in how you proceed. Your Jacksonville boating accident lawyer can determine which laws apply, identify the appropriate jurisdiction, and craft a strategy aimed at securing maximum compensation for your injuries.
Our Jacksonville Boating Accident Lawyers Will Fight for You
When you work with Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, you’re partnering with a team that knows how to take on big insurance companies and stubborn defendants. We utilize cutting-edge legal strategies, personalized attention, and a results-driven approach to every case. We have built our reputation on getting real justice for our clients. We are here to protect your rights, advocate for your best interests, and help you secure every penny you are due.
Possible Jacksonville Boat Accident Damages
You may be entitled to seek various compensatory damages following a boating accident in Jacksonville. These include:
- Medical Expenses. From emergency treatment to ongoing rehabilitation, all related medical expenses—current and future—can be reimbursed.
- Property Damage. If your boat or personal belongings were damaged or destroyed in the accident, out-of-pocket repair or replacement costs may be included.
- Lost Wages. When an injury prevents you from working, you can recoup lost wages. When it will prevent you from working in the same capacity as you had previously, you can also seek compensation for lost future wages.
- Pain and Suffering. Compensation for the physical and emotional pain and suffering you have experienced should be included in your damages as well.
Compensatory damages refer to both the tangible and intangible losses associated with your accident. There is no cap on these damages in Florida, enabling victims of serious injury to seek compensation well beyond initial insurance offers.
How Much Is My Boating Accident Claim Worth?
Determining the value of your boat injury claim will require more than simply adding up your bills. Every boat accident claim is unique. The value of your claim will depend on factors like the severity of your injury, the long-term implications to your health and happiness, and the degree of negligence involved. Our seasoned Jacksonville boating accident lawyers will conduct a thorough evaluation of your case and carefully calculate your damages to pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.
It is important to remember that Florida’s comparative negligence laws can impact the worth of your claim. Under this rule, if you are less than 50% liable for an accident, you can still recover damages. Your award will, however, be reduced by the amount of fault you are assigned. During your initial consultation at Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we can discuss how claims are valued, how fault is determined, and how much your case may be worth.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Boating Accident Claim in Jacksonville?
The amount of time you have to file a boating accident claim in Jacksonville depends entirely on where the accident took place. If your accident took place in Florida waters, you typically have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. When a boating accident results in death, family members also have only two years to file a wrongful death claim.
For boating accidents that take place on federal waters, the statute of limitations is typically three years from the date of the accident. This can be shortened further if your accident occurs on a cruise ship, where statutes may be governed by contracts signed before setting sail.
Even at four years, you don’t have much time to take legal action after a boating accident—and the longer you wait, the more complicated building a strong case can become. Acting quickly ensures you’ll have the strongest evidence and the best chances of recovering damages.
The Role of a Boating Accident Lawyer
When you sustain a serious injury in a boating accident, the last thing you need to worry about is taking on insurance companies or sifting through complicated paperwork to try and get compensation. This is where an experienced boating accident lawyer comes in. An attorney will not only act as your legal advocate, but also provide clarity and direction, and help to ensure you are treated fairly.
Key roles of a boating accident lawyer include:
- Investigating the accident to determine its causes and establish liability
- Reviewing medical records and other information to calculate damages
- Negotiating with insurance for a fair settlement
- Taking your claim to court if a settlement can’t be reached
Your lawyer will take care of the paperwork, adhere to court deadlines, and protect you from insurance adjusters who may try to minimize your settlement. They will fight for your rights while you focus on healing.
When you choose Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, you place your trust in a firm with a proven history of securing large settlements and verdicts for our clients. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay for our services until after we have secured compensation on your behalf. We are prepared to get to work right away on protecting your rights, building your case, and helping you secure compensation that is sufficient for your injury.
Contact a Jacksonville Boating Accident Lawyer for Free
Have you been involved in a boating accident in Jacksonville? You don’t have to face this challenging time alone. Contact Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers online or by calling 904-758-1111 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation today. Our Jacksonville boating accident lawyers serve individuals and families living in Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, and all nearby areas of Florida.