Fort Pierce Boating Accident Lawyer

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Boating Accident Attorney in Fort Pierce

Boating is a popular pastime in Fort Pierce, Florida. With a barrier island and miles of Atlantic Ocean coastline, the city is known for its beautiful waterways. While most boating trips are safe, boating accidents in Fort Pierce can and do happen. Oftentimes, these accidents are serious. It’s important to hire a boating accident lawyer in Fort Pierce immediately if you have been injured in a boating or watercraft accident.

For years, St. Lucie County residents have trusted the Law Firm of Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd to represent them in serious boating and watercraft accidents. Unlike an accident on land, boating and watercraft accidents present unique challenges because they typically lack witnesses and evidence can sink below the surface. Our skilled boating accident lawyers in Fort Pierce have the resources, expertise, and experience to investigate boating accidents and maximize your recovery.

Common causes of boating accidents in Fort Pierce

Even in the best of weather, Fort Pierce boating accidents often occur for the following reasons:

• Vessel collisions

When one boat hits another boat or watercraft, serious injuries and significant property damage can occur.

• Fires

A boat may catch fire for a variety of reasons, such as a fuel leak, engine failure, or equipment malfunction.

• Drowning injuries

Drowning incidents can occur when a person falls overboard or when a boat or watercraft strikes a swimmer, knocking him or her unconscious. 

• Wake-related accidents

Fort Pierce waterways have numerous “no wake” zones, where boat operators are to drive slowly. If these zones are ignored, a large wake from a speeding boat can cause smaller boats or watercraft to capsize. 

• Operation under the influence (OUI)

Just like when driving a car, driving a boat while under the influence is illegal. Boating accidents caused by drunk driving can be especially devastating.

Responsibility of boat operators 

In Florida, boat owners and boat operators are responsible for ensuring the safety of their passengers at all times. Vessels must be operated with reasonable care to prevent the risk of injury. Boat owners or boat operators who fail to meet this responsibility can be held legally liable for boating accidents that occur in Fort Pierce. 

All Florida boats must meet the state’s registration and marking requirements, and boaters should be aware of the most common causes of boating violations, including:

• Failure to keep a fire extinguisher on board
• Failure to keep throwable floatation devices onboard
• Operating a watercraft under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Speeding in “no wake” zones
• Navigation rule violations
• Insufficient personal flotation devices on board. Boaters should keep at least one flotation device per passenger.
• Expired registration
• Failure to report a boating accident as required by state law. If any Florida boating accident results in injury or property damage, the boat owner must report the accident to the police and file an accident report with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. If a Florida boating accident results in a fatality, the boat operator must report it within 48 hours.

In addition, safety laws require boat owners to provide all passengers with safety jackets and to have other safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers, navigational lights, throwable rings, and flares on board. If a boating accident occurs and injuries are made worse because of a lack of safety equipment, the boat owner or boat operator may be found negligent.

What to do after a boating accident in Fort Pierce

If you have been involved in a boating accident in Fort Pierce, the first thing you should do is seek medical care if injuries have been sustained. Depending on the nature of the incident, you may not be able to return to shore unassisted. Boat operators should have some means of calling for help when necessary. It’s crucial to report all Florida boating accidents as soon as possible to avoid fines, penalties, and loss of evidence. 

After you attend to your medical needs and/or seek medical care, the next thing to do is contact a boating accident lawyer in Fort Pierce to discuss your legal options. If another boat operator caused the accident due to negligence, or you suffered injuries as a passenger due to the incompetence or negligence of your boat’s operator, you may be legally entitled to compensation. The boating accident lawyers at Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd will be able to investigate your case and determine the value of your claim. 

Why should I hire a boating accident lawyer in Fort Pierce?

The right Fort Pierce boating accident lawyer can make a significant difference in the outcome of any Florida boating case. The experienced boating accident lawyers at Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd know the different types of damages that can come into play in a boating accident case, and as a local law firm, we are familiar with Treasure Coast waterways. We will help you through this difficult time and fight for the compensation you need and deserve.

The benefits of hiring a boating accident lawyer at Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd

• You will receive help with finding a local Fort Pierce medical care specialist to ensure your injuries undergo proper treatment 
• You will remain informed on the status of your case at all times 
• Your phone calls and emails will be answered in a timely manner—if not immediately
• You can meet with us directly at our Fort Pierce law office, digitally through our remote services, or we can come to you
• You will not have to do anything related to the lawsuit, such as filling out paperwork, gathering necessary evidence, filing the claim, dealing with insurance companies, or speaking with other parties.
• You will not have to pay for anything unless we win your case.

Get trusted expertise for your Fort Pierce boating accident

Speak with our experienced boating accident lawyers in Fort Pierce today

Call 866-930-6435 for a free consultation now

If you were involved in a boating accident in Fort Pierce that was caused by negligence or a boat defect, you may be entitled to compensation. The Fort Pierce boating accident lawyers at Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd can help. With four law offices conveniently located in Vero Beach, Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, and Okeechobee, we have helped numerous boat crash victims throughout St. Lucie County and the Treasure Coast.

While every case is different, we have the expertise and knowledge about boat accidents to help you win the largest amount of compensation possible given your situation. Our personal injury department is led by Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney Steve Hoskins, who is nationally recognized as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer, has over 40 years of experience, and has obtained over $500 million in settlements for his clients. We have the track record to prove our effectiveness. 

Find out how much your injury claim is worth and how the Fort Pierce boating accident lawyers at Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd can help you by requesting a free consultation. We’re ready to fight for you.

Call us now at 866-930-6435  or contact us online today to request a free consultation.