Boca Raton Watercraft Accident Attorney

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The number of serious and fatal personal watercraft accidents in Florida has grown with the popularity of Wave Runners, Jet Skis and other personal watercraft. While jumping on a boat without experience is ill-advised, climbing aboard what is essentially a motorcycle on the water can frequently lead to serious or fatal accidents.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in a Florida watercraft accident, the Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers offers free and confidential appointments to discuss your rights.

As a veteran trial attorney with 20 years of experience representing thousands of accident victims in Boca Raton and beyond, watercraft accident lawyer Gregg M. Hollander has built a law firm focused exclusively on treating each client individually and fighting for the compensation necessary to secure the financial well-being of you and your family following a serious accident.

The Hollander Law Firm is experienced in battling the major corporations that manufacture personal watercraft and have the resources to retain the experts necessary to build your case for success during mediation and arbitration or in the courtroom at trial.

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Why Do Watercraft Accidents Happen?

Watercraft, including Wave Runners and Jet Skis, are inherently dangerous — The National Transportation Safety Board criticized the design of the vehicles as far back as 1998, citing their lack of braking ability and an inability to turn or avoid collision while coasting to a stop. Boca Raton watercraft accident lawyer Gregg M. Hollander can help you bring a claim based on a malfunction in a Wave Runner or Jet Ski.

Frequently, there can be multiple reasons for a serious or fatal watercraft accident:

Defective manufacture or design of watercraft can lead to serious or fatal injuries.
Inadequate warning labels or operator instructions can leave riders without the knowledge necessary to keep themselves safe from harm.
Rental companies that rent personal watercraft to people who are seriously injured or killed should also be held responsible for their actions. Riders who sign a waiver before renting a watercraft should still consult an attorney after an accident.

Poorly maintained or damaged watercraft can leave an unsuspecting rider at greater risk for serious injury.

Statistics on Watercraft Accidents

Rented watercraft pose a serious risk to riders in South Florida. Even riders who sign a waiver before renting a watercraft, should consult an experienced injury attorney.

Nearly half of the state’s serious personal watercraft accidents – 122 of 249 – occurred on a rented watercraft.
The Florida counties with the most serious accidents were Pinellas County (27), Monroe County (24), Miami-Dade County (14), Bay County (13) and Lee County (9).

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Personal Watercraft account for nearly 1 in 10 of all registered vessels in Florida but account for about one-third of all accidents on the water, according to the Florida Marine Patrol. In 2008, a total of 7 people were killed and 152 people were seriously injured in personal watercraft accidents, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported.

Broken bones and cuts and bruises are the most common injuries sustained in Florida personal watercraft accidents. But head injuries and internal injuries are also commonly reported.

Contact Hollander Law Firm

If you have been seriously injured in a watercraft accident in Boca Raton or elsewhere, watercraft accident attorney Gregg M. Hollander is ready to help you. Please contact our Boca Raton personal injury office by calling us at (561) 347-7770 for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. There are never any fees or costs associated with representing you unless we are successful in making a financial recovery on behalf of you and your family.