Boating Accident Lawyer in Okeechobee

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Boating Accident Attorney in Okeechobee

Florida has the highest number of registered watercraft of any state, but that also means that it’s among the top in the nation when it comes to serious and deadly boating accidents. These accidents can lead to significant injuries, costing five or six figures to treat and also leading to lost wages or other damages. Many boating accident victims may never fully recover from their injuries, and more than a few will tragically die.

When you have been involved in a boating accident, you have the legal right to hold the person at-fault accountable. You can pursue them for the costs of your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages through a personal injury claim. This potentially includes operators of vessels that collided with you as well as the operator of the vessel you were on at the time of the collision.

Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd can provide you with a boating accident lawyer in Okeechobee to represent your claim and possible lawsuit. We have over four decades of experience representing injury victims along Florida’s Treasure Coast and Lake Okeechobee areas, and we are prepared to fight for your right to seek the maximum compensation possible.

If you have been hurt recently, call an Okeechobee boating accident lawyer to discuss your legal options. Reach out to Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd today by calling (863) 357-5800 or using our simple form to contact us online, and we will schedule you for a free, no-obligation case review.

What Damages Are Available After a Boating Accident in Okeechobee?

Every personal injury case is different, but most involve common categories of losses, or “damages,” in legal language.

Common damages include:

• Past medical bills
• Projected future medical costs
• Lost wages
• Personal property repair or replacement
• Pain and suffering

In the event of a wrongful death involving a boating accident, then the surviving family members can file a suit to recover all applicable damages, including the expenses related to funeral and burial services as well as the income the deceased would have brought the household throughout their likely remaining lifespan.

How Do I Prove Fault in a Boating Accident?

“Fault,” in the legal sense, often gets established by proving that one or more parties were negligent. Proving negligence involves showing that the defending party breached a “duty of care” that they owed the injury victim, thereby directly leading to an injury and resulting damages.

If your vessel collided with another vessel, the question becomes “who caused the accident?” An Okeechobee boating accident lawyer can investigate the circumstances, research relevant laws, and determine whose negligent actions were the most direct cause of the mishap. If two or more parties contributed fault, each party can be held accountable for their percentage of fault compared to the total damages.

If your vessel was the only one involved, you will likely have to establish that the operator was negligent. In some instances, though, you may be able to prove that the boat itself was defective, or that defective safety equipment failed to prevent the injury as it should have.

What Are Some Common Examples of Boating Negligence in Okeechobee?

In 2018 — the last year for which data is available — the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) fortunately only recorded one reportable accident in Okeechobee. 

However, the state of Florida as a whole saw 723 total boating accidents in 2018, which led to 453 injuries and 65 tragic deaths.

Looking at boating accident statistics from the FWC report, the following are the most common reasons for an accident to occur:

• No proper look-out/inattention (199 cases)
• Operator inexperience (88)
• Excessive speed (64)
• Careless/reckless operation (36)
• Alcohol use (35)
• Equipment failure (17)
• Skier/occupant behavior (17)
• Hull failure (16)
• Violation of navigation rules (13)
• Sharp turns (8)

How an Okeechobee Boating Accident Lawyer Can Help

When you work with an experienced personal injury law team like the one at Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd, you gain knowledge, resources, and the ability to go toe-to-toe with big insurance companies. 

We are willing to fight for your right to seek the maximum amount of compensation, which means that if the insurance company wants to allege your accident isn’t covered, you had a pre-existing condition or other common strategies, that we won’t take “no” for an answer. We use our knowledge of the law and the language of actual policy contracts to attempt to establish liability firmly and clearly. We document all of your damages in full, including accurate estimates for projected future damages. 

Most importantly, we guide you along the process every step of the way, keeping you informed and letting you make the critical decisions for how your case will proceed. In the event an amicable settlement agreement can’t be reached, we are willing to litigate your case — even if it has to happen in front of a jury.

We pledge to do everything we can to give you the highest chances of a successful financial recovery. And, if we aren’t able to recover anything for you, then we don’t charge you for our services. That’s our promise to you, and it’s one that motivates us to use every strategy available once we agree to take your case.

Find out how much your case could be worth and who might be responsible for your damages during a free phone consultation. Schedule your free consultation now when you call (863) 357-5800 or contact us online today.