Sarasota’s waters are a draw for tourists and locals alike to go boating. Unfortunately, this means that there are often many boating accidents. Whether you have been injured in a river, lake, or offshore boating accident, Garvin Injury Law is here to help you.
If you are injured in a boating accident caused by another party, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your damages. Our Sarasota injury attorneys have decades of experience recovering maximum compensation for boating accident victims.
Call (941) 297-0005 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation with a Sarasota boating accident lawyer with Garvin Injury Law.
Why Sarasota Boating Accident Victims Choose Garvin Injury Law
- Our Sarasota boating accident lawyers have the experience, skills, and resources to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
- Our Sarasota accident attorneys are excellent negotiators who settle the vast majority of cases without ever going to court.
- We pay all costs of pursuing your claim, and you pay nothing until we recover for you.
How Do Most Sarasota Boating Accidents Happen?
Boating accidents can happen quickly and result in devastation. Many boating accidents happen due to operator error. Operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is one of the leading causes of Sarasota boating accidents.
When a boat operator is distracted, they can not see another boat, swimmer, dock, pier, or other object in the water until it is too late.
When passengers become unruly, they can distract the boat operator or cause accidents to happen in various other ways, such as falling overboard, injuring other passengers, or distracting the captain.
Sometimes, boating accidents happen from running aground. The impact of grounding can cause severe injuries to all boat occupants.
Boat fires are another cause of boating accidents. You would think that being on the water would protect you from fire, but boating fires cause a surprising number of fatalities and injuries every year. Fires can be caused by engine problems, cooking onboard, and other sources.
Equipment malfunction can also cause an accident or leave boaters stranded, resulting in injuries.
One of the first things we do when we take your case is carefully investigate your accident to help determine all possible sources and potentially liable parties.
Click here to view Florida’s boating regulations.
What Are the Most Common Injuries in Boat Accidents?
Some common injuries we have seen in Sarasota boating accidents include:
- Drownings and near-drowning injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severed or severely mangled limbs
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Neck and back injuries
- Cuts, contusions, strains, and sprains
Even if you don’t think your injuries are severe, you should be medically evaluated after a boating accident, as some serious injuries do not have symptoms right away.
What Compensation Can I Recover in a Sarasota Boating Accident Case?
The type and amount of compensation you can recover depend on several factors. First, your injuries must have been caused (at least partially) by another party. The severity of your injuries and whether there are sufficient sources of compensation are probably the biggest influencers.
In a successful Sarasota boating accident claim, you may be able to recover damages such as your current and future medical expenses, lost wages, property damages, and other costs incurred because of your accident.
You may also be able to recover from pain and suffering, mental and emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other intangible damages.
Only in rare cases can you recover punitive damages. Punitive damages are not designed to compensate the injury victim but to punish the wrongdoer and deter such behavior in the future. In Florida, punitive damages are only awarded when a defendant is guilty of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
At Garvin Injury Law, our attorneys work tirelessly to recover all sources of compensation for our clients.
How a Sarasota Boat Accident Attorney Can Help You With Your Claim
Insurance companies and defense attorneys will fight to deny or devalue your claim. Additionally, boating accident cases often involve multiple parties, insurance companies, and defense attorneys.
You don’t want to face this challenge alone. You will have a much greater chance of recovering maximum compensation if you are represented by an experienced Sarasota boating accident lawyer.
Reach Out to Garvin Injury Law Today
Our Sarasota boating accident lawyers have the experience and proven record to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Call us today at (941) 297-0005 or visit our contact page and schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.