Boat Accident Lawyer in Lakeland

Boating is unique because boats don’t even need to collide in order to cause damage or loss of life. Simply creating a dangerous wake can cause another vessel to capsize or throw someone overboard. Whether your accident was caused by negligent behavior, poor maintenance, or other factors, our boat accident attorneys know what to look for.  

Maritime law covers any public body of water, including lakes and rivers, and is a confusing mix of maritime, federal, and state laws. Even determining which court and which laws apply rests on location and the definition of "navigable waterways.” Even then, the courts apply special rules and legal principles to admiralty cases. 

Unlike a car, there is no minimum age to operate a boat in Florida. Operators born before January 1, 1988, are not required to have a boating license or undergo boating safety courses. Boaters born after that date should have a boaters safety certificate, but as long as someone onboard was born before 1988, it is not required. 

While cars are required to have insurance, boats in Florida are not. If you are injured in an accident with an uninsured boater, you may be forced to seek compensation from a negligent boat operator who may not have the money or insurance coverage to pay your medical bills. Our accident lawyers will thoroughly investigate all possible sources of compensation.