Florida Yacht Accident Lawyer
Florida residents and tourists often book trips on yachts so they could enjoy an excursion on the ocean with their family and friends. It is true that commissioning a yacht is a fairly common activity, but there is a risk that an accident may happen if a member of the crew behaves negligently. The Florida yacht accident lawyers at Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A., know the dangers associated with the negligent operation of a yacht and want to get you compensation if you were injured.
It is not easy to imagine all the ways that a person could be injured on a yacht, which could make a victim’s injury seem unforeseeable. Our firm is here to describe how you could be injured and the steps you could take to recover damages. Call (866) 386-1762 today to plan a free consultation for your yacht accident claim.
How Yacht Accidents Commonly Occur in Florida
Boating in Florida is an experience that is more dangerous than you might believe. Florida waterways could be hazardous when a yacht operator or other boaters do not act responsibly. In some cases, injuries may occur due to the actions of visitors aboard the boat. Here are some common scenarios where a person could be injured on a yacht excursion.
Exceeding Speed Limit
Florida waterways have multiple signs that indicate what speed zone a boat should travel at a given moment. For instance, if a sign displays that a yacht should travel at idle speed to avoid producing a wake, it would be illegal to violate these instructions. If a boat operator exceeds the speed limit at the wrong time or simply drives too fast, they could cause a serious injury to patrons on the vessel or possibly those on another vessel.
Using Drugs or Alcohol
If you are venturing out a yacht, you do not want a captain that will be consuming drugs or alcohol. This will easily compromise their ability to operate the boat and make it more likely that they could collide with another boat or stationary obstruction.
Overloaded Boat
Yachts are typically luxurious vessels that could support a large number of passengers at once. However, this does not mean that there is not a limit to the number of people that should board a yacht. If the weight limit is reached either through objects or people on board, the vessel may begin to sink, which is a real problem if the boat is far out at sea or if not all passengers can swim.
Lifeboat Failure
Before a yacht journey has started, the owner of the boat should check the integrity of the lifeboats and ensure they are working properly. A lifeboat malfunction could mean the difference between life and death if an accident occurs and people need to evacuate.
Falls Overboard
Every yacht passenger should be instructed on proper safety measures to avoid incidents where a person could fall overboard. A person that falls overboard could be injured in a variety of ways. For example, if the person is struck by the boat or begins to drown, this may cause life-threatening injuries.
These are just five scenarios where a yacht voyage could be dangerous for a passenger. If you need to know about filing a lawsuit because of your yacht accident, call a Florida yacht accident lawyer.
When You Could File a Yacht Accident in Florida
After a yacht accident that occurred on Florida waterways, you may need months of recovery time before you are able to go back to work or perform activities you love. While it is a lot to ask of a person that was recently seriously injured, you should not wait weeks or months before you speak with a Florida yacht accident lawyer regarding your case.
The reason for urgency is that your claim for damages will need to comply with the statute of limitations. Specifically, this law regulates when a person is able to bring a civil case before a court for litigation. When the prospective plaintiff is unable to file their lawsuit within the timeframe set by the statute of limitations, the court will not accept their case. This would mean that the victim would not be able to recover damages for their injuries.
In Florida, a victim of a yacht accident is required to file their lawsuit within four years of the date the accident happened. There are some instances where the deadline could be moved because the victim’s injury was not immediately discovered. However, this may not apply to a yacht accident, as your injuries will likely be apparent.
Additionally, if a victim was under the age of 18, this may also delay how long a person has to file their claim. Up to seven years could be added to the filing deadline if the victim was a minor.
Please do not assume how long you have to pursue damages in your case, as it could mean that you may miss the deadline. Work with our Florida yacht accident lawyers to get started on your case.
Speak with Our Florida Yacht Accident Lawyers to Seek Damages for Your Injuries
If you were on a yacht in Florida when an accident caused you to be injured, make an appointment with a Florida yacht accident lawyer. Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A., is here to offer you our decades of experience and knowledge in your fight for compensation against a negligent yacht operator. Contact us by calling (866) 386-1762 for a free case evaluation.
