Jacksonville Boating Accident Lawyer

Many people head to Jacksonville, FL, to enjoy the warm weather and abundant waterways. The city sits directly on St. Johns River and the Atlantic Ocean, making it a popular spot for boaters and water enthusiasts.

The Jacksonville, FL, waterways can get crowded, especially during busy season. While this can still be an enjoyable experience, it also presents a dangerous risk. When boaters are not familiar with local laws or do not follow the suggested safety protocols, boating accidents happen.

Boating accidents pose the risk of drowning or other severe injuries. Call our boating accident lawyers in Jacksonville, FL at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers today at 904-549-6065.

Safe Florida Boating Practices

The requirements for obtaining a boating license are not as strict as automobile licenses. In fact, boaters born before January 1, 1988, do not even need a boating license to operate a boat. While the protocols for safe boating tend to mimic automobile driving, there are a few safety regulations specific to boating:

• Boaters must be aware of all local waterway rules including idle, no wake, and minimum wake zones.
• All vessels must have enough life vests for all passengers.
• Children under the age of 6 must wear an approved personal floatation device while on a boat, if the boat is under 26 feet in length.
• Passengers must be at least 14 years of age to operate a boat.

It is also important to keep in mind water zones. Jacksonville boaters within three nautical miles are within state laws. If your distance exceeds the three-mile mark, you must follow federal laws.

In order to ensure a safe boating experience, it’s best to be knowledgeable of these rules before navigating a boat through Jacksonville’s waterways.

Jacksonville Boating Accidents

Many of the same things that can cause an automobile accident can also lead to a boating accident. These are a few of the most common causes:

• Distracted driving
• Boating fires
• Passenger or weight load over what is allowed
• Lack of knowledge of Jacksonville’s water rules
• Driving under the influence

Any of these types of boating accidents can lead to broken bones, head and neck injuries, or even drowning. Boaters and boating passengers tend to not exercise the same level of care when operating a boat. This can be a costly mistake.

File Within Florida’s Statute of Limitation

Florida limits the time in which you can file a boating accident case. We must file all boating accident cases within two years from the date of the accident.

However, there are some details that can shorten this time limit, so it is important to discuss your case with a boating accident lawyer in Jacksonville as soon as possible. Call us today at 904-549-6065.

How We Assist with Your Boating Accident Case

Placing blame is often a part of boating accidents. One party may attempt to place the blame on the other boater. The other boater may attempt to blame faulty equipment. Our team of boating accident lawyers helps you get to the bottom of what led to your boating accident.

Complimentary Consultation

The details of your boating accident case are important. We want to know what led to the accident, and then what happened following the boating accident. With a complimentary consultation, we begin collecting these important details regarding your case. From here, we determine the next best legal steps to take. Call us today to set up your no obligation, free legal consultation at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers at 904-549-6065.

Establish Liability

The importance of establishing liability depends on the details of your case. Florida does not require boaters to carry a specific boating insurance. While boating insurance can protect you in the event of a boating accident, it does not help you after the fact. It is also possible that, if you rented a boat, you are already covered under a boating insurance policy.

The extent of the injuries and damages as well as who is at fault will determine who is liable. Your insurance company might cover your damages under your traditional insurance policy. However, if your damages exceed the maximum coverage of your policy, it may make sense to seek compensation from the at-fault party through a third-party claim.

If your case requires us to establish liability, we begin to collect the following important documents to help your case:

• Police report
• Medical records
• Property damage report
• Repair estimate
• Witness reports
• Image or video evidence from the accident

Florida is a pure comparative negligence state. Even if you are partially to blame for the boating accident, our personal injury lawyers in Jacksonville may still be able to collect compensation.

Determine Damages

When a boating accident occurs, the damages are unfortunately often significant. Repairs to a boat can be expensive enough, but when you factor in medical bills for all involved passengers, the costs can get quite high. We understand how important it is to fight for maximum compensation to cover these expenses.

We fight to collect the following types of damages:

• Medical costs
• Rehabilitative costs
• Boat repairs
• Lost wages
• Diminished earning capacity

Pain and Suffering

Suffering a boating accident can ruin the joy you once had while boating. It can make you anxious and fearful to even board your boat again. In some cases, we might be able to collect pain and suffering in a boating accident case.

Why a Boating Accident Lawyer Is Important to Your Case

Your entertaining boat ride through the Mill Cove was quickly ruined when a boater carelessly crashed into you. In addition to the extensive damage to your boat, you and your passengers are now dealing with medical injuries.

The lawyers at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers are here to represent you during this difficult time. We fight to get you the compensation you deserve to make the necessary repairs to your boat and cover any additional incurred costs. Call us today at 904-549-6065.