Fort Myers Boat Speeding Accident Lawyer
Recreational boating should be an enjoyable pastime in Southwest Florida, yet it can also result in severe and deadly injuries when other vessel operators fail to operate their boats safely. Similar to roadways in Fort Myers and throughout Florida, areas on the water for boating also have speed limits. While you might erroneously assume that boats can travel at any speed on the open water, it is actually critical to pay attention to speed signs in order to prevent a collision with another vessel, a water skier or jet skier, or with a stationary object. Contact our experienced Fort Myers boat speeding accident lawyer today.
Boaters in Fort Myers Must Operate Vessels Safely and Must Avoid Speeding
Florida law prohibits speeding on waterways in the Fort Myers area and traveling at speeds that could put others at serious risk of injury. Indeed, according to the Florida Statutes, the law requires anyone operating a boat to operate the vessel “in a reasonable and prudent manner, having regard for other waterborne traffic, posted speed and wake restrictions, and all other attendant circumstances so as not to endanger the life, limb, or property of another person outside the vessel or to endanger the life, limb, or property of another person due to vessel overloading or excessive speed.”
If a boat operator fails to operate the vessel at a reasonable speed, or fails to comply with posted speed limits or wake restrictions, that operator can face charges for the reckless or careless operation of a vessel. These are criminal charges that can result in a misdemeanor conviction. If you were injured in a boating accident caused by speeding, you can also be eligible to file a civil lawsuit against the speeding boat operator in order to seek financial compensation for your losses.
Common Injuries in Boat Speeding Accidents in Fort Myers
Boating accidents that involve speeding can result in various injuries, which can range widely in terms of their severity. In many cases, high speed crashes result in catastrophic and fatal injuries. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the following are common injuries that occur in these crashes:
- Cuts and lacerations;
- Broken bones;
- Traumatic brain injuries;
- Internal injuries;
- Back and neck injuries; and
- Internal bleeding.
When people are thrown from a boat in a speeding accident and are not wearing a life vest, drowning is often the leading cause of injury and death.
Contact Frank D. Butler Today
Were you harmed in a boating accident caused by speeding? Or did someone you love get hurt in a boating crash that resulted from another operator’s careless or reckless operation of the vessel? It may be possible to file a claim for compensation. You may be eligible to seek a range of damages from the speeding boat operator, and it is also possible that one or more additional parties could be liable for your injuries. Contact our experienced Fort Myers boat speeding accident lawyer to learn more about how we can help you.
