Miami Injury Lawyer Blog
If you’re an avid boater, beware of Monroe County. Monroe County has toped the list again as the state’s most dangerous county for boating this year. With over ninety accidents last year, Monroe County had twenty percent more accidents in 2011 than in 2010 according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. There were six boating deaths and sixty-six boating injuries reported in 2011, including the deaths of three powerboat racers killed in the Key West Super Boat World Championship in November. In order for an accident to be considered “reportable” in the State of Florida, the report must “involve death, disappearance or significant injury; or cause more than $2,000 in damages.”
The Florida Keys was not the only area that boating accidents increased. The entire state of Florida saw a rise in the number of reported accidents. Overall, there were 742 accidents and 67 deaths logged statewide for 2011. Miami-Dade County came in second to Monroe County for the highest number of boating accidents and deaths. Miami-Dade County had 75 “maritime mishaps that caused a total of $16 million in damages,” as opposed to the $1.2 million in total damages that was reported in Monroe County. Other counties in South Florida that topped the list include, Palm Beach County with 58 reported incidents, Broward County with 41 reported incidents and Lee County, also with 41 reported incidents.
Falling overboard remains the most common boating accident and drowning was the main cause of death in two thirds of boating related deaths. There were 742 accidents involving 1,018 vessels in 2011, and boats hitting other boats or crashing into stationary objects were reported in 313 cases. Alcohol use was reported in 10 boating deaths and there were over 300 arrests made for boating under the influence in 2011. Additionally, careless operation, mechanical failure, operator inattention, operator inexperience, bad weather and speeding were the most reported causes of accidents.
Keys No. 1 in Florida boating accidents; Miami-Dade right behind, www.miamiherald.com July 23, 2012.
With its vast waterways and beautiful coastlines, South Florida is a prime boating location. Every year, thousands of people flock to South Florida to spend their days enjoying the South Florida scenery from a boat deck. However, seemingly fun, carefree days can turn into tragic events when drivers speed, inexperienced drivers get behind the wheel or alcohol is introduced into the situation. Swimmers can often find themselves in a boat’s path or wake and the results can be deadly. The Palm Beach boating accident lawyers are experienced trial attorneys who have dedicated over twenty years to helping accident victims recover compensation for their injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating or Jetski accident, as either a boater or a swimmer, contact the Miami Beach personal injury lawyers at the Friedland | Carmona today! Don’t hesitate. Call (305) 661-2008 today for your free consultation.
The Miami motor vehicle accident attorneys at the Friedland | Carmona handle all types of motor vehicle accidents throughout the state of Florida, including Boca Raton, Homestead, North Miami, South Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Pembroke Pines, Hialeah, Kendall, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach. The Friedland | Carmona handles all types of personal injury cases, including wrongful death, defective products, medical malpractice, slip and falls and construction site injuries. Call today and let our family take care of your family!