How to File a Boat Accident Damage Claim in Florida

Florida is known as the boating capital of the U.S. The Sunshine State has many popular boating hubs, including Miami, the Florida Keys, Stuart, Sarasota, Fort Lauderdale, Crystal River, Palm Beach, Jupiter, Charlotte Harbor, and Tampa Bay. However, with its large number of boaters, Florida also has the highest number of boating injuries and fatalities in the U.S. If you’ve been involved in a boat accident in Florida, it’s crucial to understand your rights and options.

Our Florida Boating Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton have seen all types of boat and watercraft accidents, including jet ski accidents, sailboat mishaps, ferry accidents, tourist boat accidents, yachting accidents, and cruise ship injuries. We have seen all types of serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord trauma, near-drowning injuries, and, unfortunately, death.

What Should You Do After a Boat Accident in Florida?

Your top priority is your safety and well-being, so make sure you and any other passengers get any medical attention that is needed right away before doing any of the following:

Self-evaluate and call for help. Are you bleeding? Can you move your arms and legs? Assess your injuries and call 911 to inform emergency responders of your situation. Request police at the boat accident scene to file a report. Important: Do not admit fault when officers arrive. You can explain the incident, but accepting fault may jeopardize your damage claim.
Move the vessel to a safe place. If you can safely move the boat or watercraft from harm’s way, then do so.
Document the scene through pictures. Take photos of your injuries, the boat, and other damaged vessels. More photos mean stronger evidence for your claim.
Talk to witnesses. Collect their name and contact information for future reference if anyone witnessed the event.
Log how you are feeling for the next couple of weeks. Keep a record of your feelings after the accident to document your pain and emotional distress. Memories fade, so having this log is crucial for proving the damages you seek.
Follow up with your primary care doctor. While you may think everything is just fine, after the adrenaline from the accident wears off, you might start to feel pain and discomfort. Your doctor can get you the medical care you need if you are injured. It is also essential to have medical records that support your injury claim.
Contact Whittel & Melton’s Florida Boat Accident Lawyers at 866-608-5529 or online for a free consultation. Speak with us promptly after an accident to preserve key evidence. Don’t miss your chance to file a claim—Florida allows personal injury and wrongful death claims to be filed two years after the incident. Your attorney must investigate quickly and identify all liable parties to take action.

What Are the Steps for Filing a Boat Accident Claim in Florida?

Request a free legal consultation. Your first step is setting up an initial meeting where you will relay what happened in the accident, and your attorney will provide you with feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of your potential claim.
Investigate the accident. Once you hire your attorney, then they will launch an immediate investigation into your case. We can also work with experts to help prove your case.
Negotiate a settlement. Your attorney will communicate with the insurance companies involved in your case on your behalf. We will request documents, handle any requests from the insurance companies, and attempt to negotiate a fair settlement. If we cannot reach a fair settlement, we will take your case to trial to fight for the maximum financial compensation you deserve.

Our Florida Attorneys at Whittel & Melton Are Here to Help

If you or someone you love was injured or killed in a Florida boat crash, then we urge you to contact us as soon as possible at 866-608-5529 or contact us online for a free consultation. Having our team of personal injury lawyers on your side early on in your case could be critical in obtaining the best possible outcome.

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