Boating Accident Attorneys

Florida Vessel Laws

In the state of Florida, recreational and commercial boating laws are governed by state and federal rules. Federal law, which is enforced by the United States Coast Guard, normally controls safety devices, required personal floatation devices and over-all navigation requirements. The Coast Guard is assigned with enforcing the Collision Avoidance Regulations (aka the “Rules of the Road” or “COLREGS”) which sets the rules for inland and international navigation. States like Florida also have their own vessel safety guidelines, which are codified in state law. Where the COLREGS are silent, state protocols oversee marine vessel operation and conduct.

In Florida’s jurisdictional waters, state law governs innumerable water activities. These laws are explained in detail in chapters 327 and 328 of the Florida Statutes.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a boating accident, we urge you to speak directly with a highly qualified lawyer at Patino & Associates. For more information pertaining to our services and credentials please feel free to contact us.

Miami-Dade County ranks high on the national charts for the number of boating accidents. Historically, Florida has had the most number of boating accidents, injuries and fatalities in the country. The water and sunshine attract more and more people each year, and boaters as well as personal watercraft owners flock by the hundreds just to have the chance to relax and have some fun on Florida’s many beaches, and lakes. Regrettably, boating fun can turn fatal quickly and without warning. If you or someone you know has been injured in a boat or personal watercraft accident on Florida’s waterways, the Coral Gables boating and personal injury law firm of Patino & Associates is here to help.

In unfortunate cases such as a boating death or injury it is our primary goal to thoroughly investigate the facts. We have knowledge and understanding of boating accidents.

The most common causes of boating accidents include:

Lack or misuse of life jackets and other safety devices
Alcohol use or “boating while intoxicated” (BWI)
Accidents with other boats
Crashes involving fixed objects (buoys, channel markers or docks)
Extreme speed
Defective equipment
Unfamiliarity of basic rules of the waterway
Inadequate boat or personal watercraft operation
Inadequate safety systems
Unsatisfactory boater training
Lack or failure of personal flotation devices (PFD)
Limited or incorrect local waterway knowledge
Navigation equipment failure
Passenger or skier behavior
Poor vision

The qualified boating and personal injury attorneys at Patino & Associates understand the local, state, and federal boating regulations. When something goes awry, we decide if the error is due to equipment failure, poor signage, or someone’s negligence.

Our primary concern is helping you and your family collect financial compensation if your accident is due to the error of others. We diligently defend your rights when it comes to collecting reimbursement for lost wages, medical expenses, or pain and suffering.

Contact a capable boating and personal injury attorneys at Patino & Associates, located in Coral Gables, Florida. Our phone number is 305-443-6163. Our law office is in Miami-Dade County just outside of Miami.