Clearwater Boat Speeding Accident Lawyer
For many, one of the appeals of boating is the apparent freedom one has when traveling on the water. After all, waterways generally do not have posted speed limits. But that does not mean that operating a boat at high speeds is safe.
To the contrary, excessive speeding is one of the most common causes of serious boating accidents in Florida. And if you have been injured in such an accident, you have the same right to take legal action against a boat operator as you would someone who causes an accident by driving their car or truck at an unsafe speed. A qualified Clearwater boat speeding accident lawyer can review your case and advise you of your options for seeking compensation. Attorney Frank D. Butler has nearly 30 years of experience in representing people injured in boating accidents, and he understands the role that speeding commonly plays in such crashes.
How Speeding Can Lead to Boating Accidents
Speeding on the water is dangerous for the same reason as speeding on the road. The faster you are traveling, the less time you have to react to sudden changes in road conditions. This reduced reaction time is often a major factor in what should have been a preventable accident.
Some of the common hazards caused or created by boats speeding include:
- crashing into another boat or watercraft, such as a jet ski, because of insufficient distance to come to a stop;
- striking a swimmer or other persons in the water;
- rollovers if the boat hits a wave;
- creating unexpected waves that cause other boats to flip over; and
- passengers on the speeding boat falling overboard.
Excessive speed can also magnify other common boat accident factors. For example, an operator who is both speeding and drinking alcohol is substantially more likely to cause an accident. Similarly, if an operator is speeding at night, that further reduces their ability to quickly react to changes and avoid a possible collision.
It is also important to understand that while most Florida waterways do not have posted speed limits like those on the highways, there are often signs in certain restricted areas. For instance, boats are often forbidden from areas reserved for swimmers. And highly trafficked waterways may have signs such as “Slow Speed, Minimum Wake,” which means a boat should not travel so fast as to create a substantial wake behind it that could endanger other boats.
Contact Attorney Frank D. Butler Today
Determining the cause of a boat accident is often a much more substantial undertaking than for a car accident. In many cases it is not immediately apparent if speed was a factor. This is just one reason you should always work with a Clearwater boat speeding accident lawyer who specializes in investigating such accidents.
The offices of Frank D. Butler, P.A., specializes in boating accidents and maritime law. Contact us today at 888-BOAT-LAW to schedule an initial consultation so we can sit down with you and learn more about your case.
