Common Causes of Florida Boat Rental Accidents

Boating is a favorite activity for many people in Florida. It is not surprising why, considering the beautiful beaches and gorgeous weather the state enjoys all year round. Not everyone has their own boat, though, and tourists and residents alike often rent a boat from a rental company. Unfortunately, there are many risks associated with rental boats. In 2020, there were 520 accidents involving rental boats compared with just 184 the year before, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Our Florida boat rental accident attorney explains the most common causes of injuries below.

What Causes Rental Boat Accidents? 

No one rents a boat thinking that they will become involved in a crash. Unfortunately, it happens all too often. The most common causes of rental boat accidents are as follows:

• Lack of safety equipment: Rental boats should come equipped with many different types of safety equipment. These include sound-signaling devices, watertight flashlights, personal floatation devices, fire extinguishers, and more. When rental companies do not provide this safety gear, they can be held liable for injuries.
• Lack of education: Rental boat companies should always ensure that anyone operating their boats has the necessary education to do so. They should ask about any prior training or experience. They should also provide some basic safety tips regarding no wake zones, handling the vessel, and the current and future water conditions.

In Florida, if a person is born before January 1, 1988, that person does not need any kind of license, permit, safety class, or experience to operate a vessel in the State of Florida. There will be no eye test, no written test, and no proof of ability to operate the vessel is legally required if the operator is born before 1988. For persons born after 1988 they must have taken and passed an approved course by National Association of Boating Law Administrators, usually on-line, though some classes are given live by various organizations. The operator of a vessel born after January 1, 1988 must produce evidence of completion of such a course. But this is one of the problems with boat rental companies; they can rent to someone who has taken a very brief on-line course but who may have zero operating experience.

Are Boat Operators Ever Liable for a Rental Boat Accident?

 Whether you rented a boat, or a rental boat crashed into you, it is not always easy to determine if the company or the individual operator is responsible. Our Florida boat rental accident lawyer  will conduct an investigation to determine what caused the crash and who is to blame for your injuries.

Call Our Boat Rental Accident Attorney in Florida for a Free Consultation 

After being hurt in a crash, you need sound legal advice by an experienced boating law attorney. At www.888BOATLAW.com (The Law Offices of Frank D. Butler, P.A.), our Florida boat rental accident attorney can provide it and work to obtain the full recovery you deserve from the at-fault party. Call us today or chat with us online to schedule a free review of your case and to get the legal help you need.

THERE IS NEVER A CHARGE TO YOU UNTIL WE WIN FOR YOU.

Sources:

myfwc.com/boating/regulations/#:~:text=A person must be at least 18 years of age,a second-degree misdemeanor).

myfwc.com/media/26474/2020-basr-violations.pdf