Sarasota Boat Speeding Accident Lawyer
Residents of Sarasota and visitors to the city should be able to feel comfortable enjoying a day of recreational boating without having to worry about the possibility of an injury caused by a careless or reckless boater. However, much too frequently, vessel operators speed and cause serious crashes involving other boats, divers, water skiers, jet skiers, and others out on the water. When a boat accident happens because of speeding, it is critical to seek advice from an attorney who can tell you more about negligent boating and how to file a specific maritime injury claim. You will want to have an advocate on your side who has experience handling a range of boat accident cases since many of these types of injury claims are governed by maritime law, which usually means the claim has a shorter statute of limitations than an ordinary injury case under Florida law. Contact our experienced Sarasota boat speeding accident lawyer today for more information.
Speeding in Sarasota Boating is Negligent and Unlawful
Boaters in Sarasota need to understand that speeding — which can involve operating a vessel at a speed above the posted limit or traveling at speeds that are too high for the circumstances or conditions — is both negligent and unlawful. As such, a person can face both criminal and civil consequences for speeding while boating, and for boating accidents caused by speeding. Here is what the Florida Statutes say about the reckless or careless operation of a vessel:
“A person who operates any vessel upon the waters of this state shall 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.”
While a Florida prosecutor may file misdemeanor charges against a vessel operator for the reckless or careless operation of a vessel when a speeding accident occurs, it is important to know that you may be able to hold that negligent vessel operator accountable through a civil lawsuit. If you file a civil lawsuit, you can seek damages (or financial compensation) for your injuries and for other losses resulting from the boating speeding crash in Sarasota.
Getting the Facts About Boat Speeding Accidents in Sarasota
Speeding is a common contributing factor to serious and deadly boating accidents in and around Sarasota. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) discusses some of the following facts about injuries in speeding accidents and related boat crashes:
- More than half of people injured or killed were not wearing life jackets;
- About 96 percent of injury victims had consumed alcohol prior to their injury; and
- Approximately 40 percent of injury victims are ejected from the boat.
Contact Frank D. Butler Today
When you have been injured in a boat speeding accident, it is essential to seek help from an attorney who can assist you with a maritime injury claim. Contact our experienced Sarasota boat speeding accident lawyer today.
