Fort Myers Boat DUI Accident Lawyer
Drunk or intoxicated boating is a serious problem in Florida and throughout the country. When you operate or rent a vessel in Fort Myers, you should never have to worry that you will be involved in a serious maritime accident because of a drunk or drugged boater. However, these types of crashes occur much more often than you might think. Indeed, according to data from the U.S. Coast Guard, about 20 percent of all fatal boat accidents involve a vessel operator who was boating under the influence (BUI) at the time of the crash. If you or somebody you love got hurt because of a drunk boater, it is critical to hire an attorney to begin working on your case. By filing a claim, you can seek financial compensation for your injuries and you can hold the drunk boater accountable. Contact our experienced Fort Myers boat DUI accident lawyer today.
Get the Facts About Drunk Boating and BUI Accidents in Fort Myers
Many people assume that the laws prohibiting driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs in Florida only apply to motor vehicles. Yet there are also laws that prohibit drunk boating, or boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The following are some facts about drunk boating from the Boat U.S. Foundation:
- Approximately half of all boating accidents involve the use of alcohol of drugs;
- Even a single beer can impact your balance on a boat; and
- Intoxication is more pronounced when a person is out on the water, increasing the likelihood of an accident.
Filing a Boating DUI Claim in Fort Myers, Florida
According to the Florida Statutes, a person can be responsible for boating under the influence if they are operating a vessel with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more, or if they are “under the influence of alcohol beverages, any chemical substance…or any controlled substance…when affected to the extent that the person’s normal faculties are impaired.” While a person can be held criminally accountable for a BUI, it is critical to know that you could be eligible to file a civil lawsuit after a boating DUI case, as well.
To determine the statute of limitations on your claim, it is essential to speak with a Fort Myers BUI injury attorney who can determine whether your claim is a maritime law claim. Then, you can work with your lawyer to identify evidence that shows the other boater was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash.
Contact Frank D. Butler Today
An experienced Florida BUI attorney at Frank D. Butler can evaluate your boating accident case today and can discuss your options for holding a drunk or drugged boater accountable for the devastating harm they have caused. It is critical to work with an attorney who has experience handling boating accident and maritime injury claims. Drunk boating collisions are not the same as drunk driving accidents, and you will need help from a lawyer who regularly handles injury cases involving boats and personal watercraft. Contact our experienced Fort Myers boat DUI accident lawyer today for more information.
