Tampa Boating Accident Lawyer

Who We Are

We recover millions for our clients every month at Boohoff Law. We help injury victims and their families. Our Tampa personal injury lawyers have successfully settled many cases. We aim to get our clients the financial compensation and justice they deserve.​

Why Hire Us for Your Tampa Boating Accident Case?

We have been standing up for injured Tampa Bay clients for years. Thousands of satisfied clients have benefited from our efforts. The American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys ranks us among the top 10 in client satisfaction. We’re an experienced and resourceful firm that can help you.

As one of Tampa’s top-rated law firms, we take a results-driven approach to every case. Boating accidents in Tampa can cause serious injuries, and you deserve a team that fights skillfully by your side. You can count on our firm’s attorneys and legal experts to fight for your rights in court.

How Common Are Boat Accidents in Tampa?

Approximately 800 boat accidents occur each year in Tampa waters, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Every year, 80 people die in boating accidents, and hundreds more suffer injuries. That shouldn’t come as a surprise. Florida has almost one million registered boats.

The Tampa Bay area consistently ranks among Florida’s top boating destinations. Residents and visitors flock to the area throughout the year because of its scenic views, beautiful waters, and party atmosphere. While most boaters are responsible at the helm, plenty disregard safety precautions and create danger for themselves, their passengers, and others on the water.​

Where in Tampa Do Boat Accidents Happen?

Tampa sits between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Many boaters from Tampa travel to and from the county and its surrounding waters during their excursions. Tampa boaters and others from throughout the area visit often. Over 50 boating accidents occur in the county annually, resulting in four fatalities and more than 20 injuries.

Under the Bayside Bridge and around Fort De Soto Park are two of the most dangerous locations for boat accidents in Tampa and surrounding waters.

What Causes Tampa Boat Accidents?

Because boats have so much space for navigating, you might wonder why boat accidents occur and why so many of them result in injuries or death.

One of the most common causes of boat accidents is operator negligence. The boating laws and regulations for recreation are significantly laxer than those for driving, which imposes a minimum age and a licensing process.​

Common Causes of Boating Accidents in Tampa​

Several factors can contribute to boat accidents. Many are due to boat operator negligence. Here are some common causes of accidents that result in a boat accident claim.

BUI (Boating Under the Influence)

One of the biggest dangers to public safety on the water is alcohol. While officials highly enforce open-container laws regarding operating motor vehicles, boaters consume alcohol openly, if not illegally, while operating their vessels.

No one should operate a vessel if their blood alcohol level exceeds the legal limit. Many negligent boaters cannot resist the temptation of operating a boat even when alcohol impairs them. Because of impaired judgment, slowed reaction times, and reckless behavior, the operator, their passengers, and other boaters are at risk of an accident.​

Inattentive Operators

Distractions are not limited to the road. Boat accidents can happen due to many of the same distractions that put motor vehicle drivers at risk. Distracted boat operators can miss warning signs or oncoming vessels because of their phones, passengers, and gadgets.​

Inexperienced Boaters

While some boat operators require a boater safety course, there are exceptions for new boat owners and passengers accompanied by a certified boater. There are a lot of inexperienced boaters on the water due to lax boating regulations and sporadic enforcement. It is possible that boaters don’t understand the waterways’ rules or cannot react to danger when it presents itself.​

Driving Recklessly

Dangerous maneuvers, traveling through restricted areas, or getting too close to other vessels or the shore can cause preventable accidents in the water. When watercraft operators are unfamiliar with the laws and signage, they are putting the public at risk.​

Speeding

The posted speed limits on boating channels and high traffic areas are not suggestions but laws to protect marine life and all boaters in the area. In addition to reducing reaction time, excessive speeds on the water can lead to the inability to locate hazards under the water or up ahead, and exponentially increase the risk of death and severe injury in a collision.​

Other Causes of Boat Accidents in Tampa

Not all boat accidents are the result of negligence on the part of boat operators. Sometimes other issues may be involved, including:

Failures of Mechanical Components

The failure of equipment or parts on a boat can cause catastrophic failures during operations, which can cause the boat to sink or even explode. Boaters injured due to the inherent danger in the design or manufacture of the boat can sue the manufacturer or distributor for their negligence.​

Safety Equipment Not Available

Boats without personal flotation devices increase the risk of death and injury in an emergency. Not only does the vessel need safety equipment, but it must be easy to access in an emergency. Children under six must wear life jackets on an unanchored or unsecured vessel under 26 feet.​

Boating Accidents Usually Result in Serious Injuries

Boating safety is paramount. When accidents occur, the negligent party should be held accountable. Depending on the type of boat accident, people may suffer different types and degrees of injuries. Boat accident victims can suffer severe and even fatal consequences from injuries other than drowning, which is the most common boat accident fatality.

Life-changing, traumatic, painful injuries caused by boat accidents can have a real impact on survivors’ quality of life and ability to function. Accident victims face risks to their physical, emotional, and mental health, as well as financial burdens and expenses that can strain their relationships with family members and friends.

Boat accidents often result in:

• Drowning
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Burns
• Amputation of a limb
• Fractured bones
• Spinal cord damage
• Severe cuts

While some of these injuries are more severe than others, they can all be costly in many ways. An injury can affect your time and wallet, as your medical treatment will take time, and the bills pile up quickly.

If your injury prevents you from working, you can lose significant income and even lose traction in your overall career or professional goals. Many boat accident injuries also result in severe pain and suffering – both physically and mentally. ​

Compensation Available in a Tampa Boat Accident

If you or a loved one were injured in a boating accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the losses you’ve experienced through a personal injury claim. At Boohoff Law, we understand how overwhelming these situations can be, and we’re here to help you seek the justice and recovery you deserve. Compensation in a Tampa boat accident case often falls into two main categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic damages cover the financial costs directly tied to the accident. These might include:

• Medical expenses: This includes the cost of emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, ongoing treatments, physical therapy, and any necessary medications or medical devices for your boating injuries.
• Lost wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may recover the income you’ve lost during your recovery period. For severe injuries, this can also include future lost earning capacity.
• Property damage: If the accident caused damage to a boat, equipment, or any other personal property, you may be entitled to compensation for repair or replacement costs.

Non-economic damages address the intangible impacts of the accident that affect your quality of life. Examples include:

• Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional anguish caused by your injuries.
• Mental distress: This includes the psychological effects of the accident, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Loss of enjoyment of life: If the accident prevents you from taking part in activities or hobbies you once loved, you may recover compensation for this loss.

Every case is unique, and the amount of available compensation depends on the circumstances of your accident, the severity of your injuries, and other factors. Our compassionate legal team at Boohoff Law is committed to helping you understand your rights and pursuing the maximum compensation for your damages. You don’t have to face this alone—let us stand by your side and guide you through the process.

Compensation in Fatal Boating Accidents

Losing a loved one in a boating accident is a devastating experience, and no amount of compensation can truly make up for your loss. However, pursuing a wrongful death claim can help provide financial security and justice for your family during this difficult time. At Boohoff Law, we are here to support you with care and dedication as you seek the compensation you deserve.

Families who have lost a loved one in a fatal boating accident may be entitled to damages such as:

• Funeral and burial expenses: Covering the costs associated with saying goodbye to your loved one.
• Loss of financial support: Compensation for the income or financial contributions the deceased would have provided to the family.
• Loss of companionship: Acknowledging the emotional pain and the absence of the love, guidance, and support your loved one offered.

Navigating a wrongful death claim can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Our compassionate Tampa legal team is here to guide you through the process and fight for justice on behalf of your loved one. We are committed to easing your burden and helping your family during this time of need.

Boohoff Law Offers Free Consultations to Tampa Boat Accident Victims

Following emergency medical treatment for your injuries and recovery, you should contact a Tampa boat accident lawyer to discuss your legal options. Boat accidents are covered by more than your state’s personal injury laws.

Maritime and federal laws may also apply, along with Florida laws, depending on the location of the accident and the parties involved. A person without legal knowledge and experience cannot easily navigate such a complex situation.​

Q:1 Boat Accidents Can Take Several Forms. What Are They?

On the waters, a wide range of boats and watercraft differ greatly in size, capabilities, and speeds. You can see almost any vessel on Tampa’s waterways, from luxurious yachts, sailboats, and party boats to fishing dinghies, airboats, and jet skis.

Many factors can cause a boat accident. Boaters, as well as those in the waters nearby, may face various dangers from these accidents. 

The boat accidents we most often see in Tampa include:

• Water sport injuries
• Propeller injuries
• Slip and falls on deck

Q:2 Under Florida Law, What Constitutes a Boat Accident?

These four scenarios may require an operator to take action under Florida law:

• Injuries requiring more than first aid
• Death
• A person’s disappearance, indicating death or injury
• Property damage of at least $2,000​

A boat accident lawyer can help you protect your rights to compensation and strengthen your chances of recovery after the accident. For a free evaluation of your case, please contact Boohoff Law today at (813) 725-5606. Our skilled Tampa boat accident lawyers have decades of combined experience investigating claims and maximizing compensation.

Boohoff Law, P.A. – Auto Accident Lawyers – Tampa Office

829 W Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Tampa, FL 33603

Phone: (813) 725-5606