With Memorial Day and warm summer days fast approaching, the attorneys and staff at Zweben Law Group would like to remind you to practice safety on Florida’s beautiful navigable waterways.
Florida is the number 1 state for boating accidents. With approximately 982,470 registered vessels, Florida’s waterways can be dangerous. In 2009, there were 620 total reportable boating accidents resulting in 65 deaths, countless injuries, and millions of dollars in property damage.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission’s Boating Accident Statistical Report for 2009, the top five primary types of accidents were:
(1) Collision with another vessel(2) Collision with fixed object(3) Flooding/Swamping(4) Falling overboard, and(5) Grounding.
Martin County is ranked 14th in counties in Florida with the most accidents with:
13 Reportable AccidentsNo Deaths8 Injuries$80,525 in property damage
St. Lucie County is ranked 23rd in counties in Florida with the most accidents with:
7 Reportable AccidentsNo Deaths4 Injuries$48,700 in property damage.
Palm Beach County is ranked 3rd in counties in Florida with the most accidents with:
56 Reportable Accidents3 Deaths21 Injuries$873,400 in property damage
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission urges boaters to wear life jackets at all times and to take boating safety courses in order to remain safe on our waterways.
If you are involved in a boating accident this summer and have sustained injuries or property damage, contact an attorney to make sure your legal rights are protected.
For more information on the contents of this article or any other question you may have, please contact the Zweben Law Group.