Gainesville Boating Accident Attorney

Boating Accidents in Alachua County

Florida is home to numerous waterways, including numerous lakes in Alachua County where people enjoy fishing, boating, and spending time out on the water. Unfortunately, what begins as a relaxing recreational activity can soon turn disastrous when others on the water are not careful.

If you or someone you love was involved in a serious boating accident in the Gainesville area, you could be entitled to financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. At the Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A., we believe that you should not have to suffer the consequences of someone else’s negligence on your own, and our team of skilled personal injury lawyers is here to help you fight for the justice you deserve. With over 100 years of collective experience, our lawyers are ready to help you navigate the legal process and advocate for your maximum recovery.

Speak to one of our caring, experienced boating accident attorneys in Gainesville during a free initial consultation. Call (855) 933-3881 today or contact us online to get started.

Who Is Liable for Boating Accidents?

Boating accidents are relatively rare, but when they do happen, they are often the result of negligence. Because it is a recreational activity, many people do not take boating safety seriously. This can—and does—result in devastating accidents, injuries, and deaths.

When someone else is responsible for a boating accident, injured victims or the family members of those killed in the accident can seek financial compensation from the liable person or party. Determining who is liable for the accident is a critical element of a successful claim and, often, it involves uncovering which person or party acted negligently, recklessly, or wrongfully. In most cases, the first step in doing this is determining how the accident happened.

Some of the most common causes of boating accidents in Florida include:

• Operator inexperience
• Intoxication
• Failure to keep a lookout
• Excessive speeds
• Navigational rule violations
• Operator inattention
• Hazardous waters/conditions
• Machinery failure
• Boat/boat part defects

When you trust your case to our Gainesville boating accident attorneys, we will immediately begin an investigation into how the incident occurred and, most importantly, who was liable. For example, if an intoxicated boater crashed into your vessel, we can prove the intoxicated individual was acting both negligently and unlawfully and is, therefore, liable for the incident. If you were injured due to defective or malfunctioning equipment, we may be able to bring a product liability case against the manufacturer on your behalf.

Damages in Boating Accident Cases

Sadly, many boating accidents result in catastrophic injuries. Because these incidents typically occur on the water, the risk of fatal drownings and near-drowning is extremely high. Victims often experience drowning-related brain injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and wrongful death. For those who survive, as well as the families of those who do not, the aftermath can be unimaginably difficult to bear.

At the Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A., our Gainesville boating accident lawyers help victims and their families fight for fair compensation for the following damages:

• All medical expenses associated with treatment for injuries sustained in the accident
• Lost income/wages and other employment benefits due to time off work
• Lost future earnings and lost earning ability associated with disability
• Pain and suffering, including physical pain and emotional trauma suffered by the victim
• The value of support/services provided to surviving family members (in wrongful death cases)
• Funeral/burial expenses and medical expenses associated with final treatments
• Loss of consortium, companionship, support, guidance, and protection

We understand that no amount of financial compensation can undo the immense suffering you and your loved ones have been through; however, a successful personal injury or wrongful death claim can not only provide you with a much-needed sense of justice but can also grant you the financial resources you need to heal.

Types of Boating Accident Cases We Handle

Our firm represents clients who were injured or lost loved ones in all types of boating accidents, including but not limited to:

• Recreational boating accidents
• Waterskiing/wakeboarding accidents
• Tubing and other tow-related accidents
• Maritime accidents
• Swimmer-boat/watercraft accidents
• Drownings and near-drownings
• Personal watercraft (Jet Skis, Sea-Doos, etc.) accidents
• Houseboating accidents

If you believe someone else’s careless, reckless, or unlawful conduct is responsible for your injuries and resulting damages, do not hesitate to reach out to our Gainesville office to learn how our team can fight for you. In Florida, you have a limited amount of time to file your claim before you lose the right to seek compensation altogether. Depending on the specifics of your case, this timeframe may range anywhere from three to four years from the date of the accident. In the event of wrongful death, your time to bring a claim is even more limited at just two years from the date of death.

Do not wait to contact our Gainesville boating accident lawyers. We are ready to put our 100+ years of combined experience and proven record of success on your side. Our team of 20 attorneys, 6 investigators, and 100+ support staff members are available to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we offer legal services in Spanish, Russian, and German for your convenience.

Call us today at (855) 933-3881 or fill out and submit an online case evaluation form to get started with your free, no-obligation consultation with an attorney.