Florida Parasailing Accident + Injury Lawyer
While some people like to kick back and relax on vacation, other people love nothing more than to hit the beach for some action in the sun. Many vacationers enjoy parasailing over the Florida coast. As fun as parasailing can be, it could turn very dangerous if all parties involved are not careful. Parasailing accidents can lead to serious injuries and you may want to consider filing a lawsuit.
If you suffered injuries in a parasailing accident, someone else’s negligence might be to blame. You should not be forced to suffer without receiving just compensation for your injuries. Contact our Florida parasailing accident and injury lawyer for a free legal consultation. Call Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. at (866) 386-1762 and ask our team for help.
Parasailing Safety Measures in Florida
Parasailing is a watersport activity popular across many of Florida’s beaches. Parasailers are connected to a parachute-like device while being pulled by a boat. As the boat picks up speed, the parasailers are lifted high into the air to enjoy the beautiful view of the beach and ocean. People can have a lot of fun parasailing, but only if all safety measures are taken. The Florida state government regulates parasailing for the benefit and safety of all parties.
There are many safety regulations for parasailing in Florida. Most of these regulations are listed under Title 327 of the Florida Statutes referring to Vessel Safety.
- Parasailers must wear flotation devices or lifejackets at all times.
- It is illegal to parasail at night.
- There must be a second person in the boat, in addition to the boat operator, to observe the parasailers throughout the ride.
- Parasailing boats must be within specific geographic boundaries. They cannot go too close to any structures that the parasailers could hit or get tangled in.
- The owner of the parasailing business must have liability insurance.
- The boat must have a VHF transceiver plus a separate device to access National Weather Service forecasts
- You cannot parasail in poor weather conditions. Heavy winds or fog are examples of poor weather conditions.
If you were assured that it was safe to parasail before you were injured in an accident, do not hesitate to contact our Florida lawyers for parasailing accidents and injuries.
Parasailing Accidents in Florida
After reading the safety regulations mentioned earlier, it is easy to see how dangerous parasailing can be if someone is negligent. Parasailing is inherently risky, and all parties involved must follow all necessary safety procedures to avoid injury.
One example of negligence includes faulty equipment. Customers trust parasailing businesses to keep all their equipment, from the boat to the ropes to the parachutes, in working order. If something fails or breaks down, injuries can occur. If you were parasailing and the rope tethering you to the boat came apart, you could crash down into the ocean and get hurt.
Other injuries can occur because the boat operator made negligent choices. Perhaps the weather called for strong winds in the afternoon, but the parasailing boat operator decided to squeeze in one more customer before the wind picked up too much. Suddenly you are a parasailer caught in strong winds getting tangled up in your equipment. This was negligence because the boat operator should have known better than to take a customer parasailing in poor weather conditions.
Parasailers must place a lot of trust in the operator of the parasailing boat. The boat operator not only drives the boat, but they are responsible for following all safety precautions. If you believe you were injured in a parasailing accident because the boat operator did not follow certain safety precautions, please call our Florida attorney for parasailing accidents and injuries.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim for a Parasailing Accident in Florida
The process of beginning a civil lawsuit can be lengthy and tiresome. Civil procedure is notoriously complicated and confusing, and even trained attorneys have been known to make mistakes. Our skilled and experienced Florida lawyer for parasailing accidents and injuries can help you file your lawsuit and navigate the civil process.
The first step is to file the complaint. Your complaint will contain factual allegations of how you believe your injuries occurred and allegations of who is responsible. Your complaint will also include what you think you are owed in damages. We must also serve the complaint to the defendant as notice of the lawsuit.
Once the complaint is filed and all the necessary parties have been notified, the discovery phase will begin. During this phase, both sides must exchange all the relevant information and evidence they have regarding the case. This may seem counterintuitive, like tipping your hand in a poker game, but it is legally required. This allows both parties to strategize more effectively. If we have a solid case, the defense will become aware of this during discovery, and they might make a settlement offer to avoid a trial.
After discovery, we can begin making pre-trial motions to suppress evidence and testimony from the other side. If your case does make it to trial rather than settling out of court, suppressing evidence is key to strengthening our case and weakening our opponent’s.
Reaching a Settlement for a Parasailing Accident in Florida
Trials can be very long and unpredictable. If you would much rather accept a settlement offer than go to trial, our Florida lawyer for parasailing accidents and injuries can help make that happen for you. A settlement offer will almost always be lower than your initial claim for damages. If the offer is too low, but you are still interested in settling, we can always negotiate.
Settlements are not offered on a take-it-or-leave-it basis. Usually, the first offer by the defendant is only the beginning of negotiations. We can ask for more money and the defense can request certain strings be attached. For example, as part of your settlement, the defense could prohibit you from talking to anyone about the settlement. This means you cannot tell anyone how much money you obtained in the settlement or the terms of the agreement. This is common in cases where a defendant wishes to avoid public embarrassment or in particularly high-profile cases.
Call Florida Attorneys for Parasailing Accidents and Injuries for Help
If you were injured in a parasailing accident due to someone else’s negligence, do not hesitate to contact our Florida parasailing accident and injury lawyer. Call Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. at (866) 386-1762 and ask about a free legal consultation.
