Boca Raton Boat Accident Lawyer

What to Do if You’re in a Boating Accident

While a day out on the water can be relaxing and fun or can simply be another “day at the office” for some, there are many potential dangers and safety hazards lurking that can result in extremely serious consequences. With over one million boats registered in Florida, it’s no surprise that more boat accidents occur in Florida than in any other state in the nation.

Boat accidents can take on many forms. Boats can collide with other vessels or fixed objects, can overturn or capsize, can run over swimmers or water skiers, or can be operated in such a way that passengers are thrown from the boat. If you or a loved one has been injured in a boat accident through no fault of your own, you may be eligible for compensation to cover current and future medical expenses, as well as compensatory damages for pain and suffering, loss of work and other legal damages.

When you are injured due to a boating accident, maritime laws may differ compared to laws on land; results can often be catastrophic. That’s why it’s important to use a personal injury attorney that is knowledgeable about maritime law and the unique intricacies involving accidents. Personal injury attorneys with experience in boat accidents can inform you of any aspects of the law that may affect your lawsuit, claim or potential recovery. At the Eltringham Law Group we have the proper knowledge and experience to protect your rights and help you receive the compensation you deserve.

Reasons for Cruise Ship or Boat Accident Legal Cases

Although the specific circumstances surrounding any boating accident will differ from case to case, some of the most common reasons for boating accidents causing injury include:

  • Boat operator negligence, including high speed operation, hitting waves or wakes at unsafe angles, failing to look out for passengers or other watercraft
  • Operating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Navigating boat in unsafe weather or surf conditions
  • Lack of knowledge about operation of watercraft or safety rules
  • Improper training or inexperience
  • Not knowing the “rules of the road” (the navigational rules)
  • Failing to avoid a collision with another vessel or fixed object
  • Using poor judgment or being reckless
  • Overcrowding or overloading a vessel
  • Having an insufficient number of life jackets or lack of safety equipment
  • Defective boat construction or lack of maintenance

Types of Boat or Cruise Ship Accidents:

Boat accidents can occur on all types of watercraft, both large and small. Some of these include:

  • Yachts
  • Cruise Ships
  • Sailboats
  • Motorboats
  • Cabin cruisers
  • Runabouts
  • Airboats
  • Fishing boats
  • Commercial boats
  • Tenders
  • Inflatable boats
  • Kayaks / Canoes
  • Personal watercraft (Jet skis / Wave runners)
  • Paddleboards

Whether you were a passenger on a friend’s boat, were on a commercial boat or were operating a personal watercraft, it’s important to have the experience of the Eltringham Law Group on your side to help you receive the compensation you deserve due to personal injury, property damage or death.

What to Expect Following Your Boating Accident

When you choose the Eltringham Law Group to represent you following a boating accident involving personal injury, property damage or death, here is what you can expect to happen:

  • We offer free consultations so you can get all your questions answered and can spend time talking directly with an experienced attorney about your rights and expected outcomes.
  • Leave all the work to us. We will be in contact with doctors, hospitals, witnesses, insurance providers, police, attorneys and anyone else necessary to settle your claim. We will thoroughly investigate your accident and will build a solid case so that you are more likely to be awarded additional compensation from insurance companies or other parties.
  • You focus on you. Whether you are still recovering from injuries or are simply dealing with the stress and anxiety that is common following boating accidents, now is the time to focus on your own needs while you leave the details of your case in the hands of experienced attorneys that will get the job done right.
  • We work on a contingent fee basis. This means that you don’t need to lay out any money up front in order to have our injury attorneys work on your case. We don’t get paid unless we recover a financial settlement or jury award for you.
For more information on boating and cruise ship accidents, contact the Eltringham Law Group at 561-338-0420.

Legal Questions About Boat Accidents

When you are involved in a boating accident, you may have many questions and may not know where to turn since there are likely few people that have been in your shoes and know the answers. Here are some of the most common questions you may have:

What do I do after a boat accident if I have been injured?


Is my accident affected by maritime law?


Are laws governing negligence the same on the water as they are on land?


How long do I have to file a claim after a boating accident?


How can I recreate the accident if it happened on the water?


Will insurance cover my medical expenses, loss of work or other losses?


Do all personal injury lawyers know how to effectively handle a boat accident case?


What are the most common types of boating accidents?


How can I be compensated for my injuries after a boating accident?

You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Call the Eltringham Law Group today at 561-338-0420 for these and any other personal injury questions you may have.

What Our Clients Say

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5 star review

I usually never leave reviews, good or bad, but for this instance, I most definitely had to. David and Marnie were both AMAZING. They made me feel comfortable and confident in their ability to resolve my case. I was walking in a crosswalk and was hit by a vehicle resulting in having to go to the hospital. I sustained injuries from this that I am still in the midst of dealing with. I contacted the firm and was able to speak with them via zoom immediately. I decided to sign with them on a Monday evening (3 days after my accident) and by Tuesday afternoon (the very next day) my case was settled. And settled for the very max that was able to be obtained. I attribute a lot of this to not only the expertise of the firm, but the relationships that Marnie has built with her experience working as a lawyer within a major insurance provider, which just so happened to be the insurance provider involved in my case. This is incredibly atypical for a case to be settled this quickly, especially with this outcome. It has been two weeks to the day today that my accident has happened and my case has already been resolved. I am blessed and more than happy that I decided to hire this firm. Every case is different, but I can bet that this firm will handle your case with care and the utmost professionalism. I pray I never have to go through a situation like this again, but if I did, I wouldn’t hesitate to call this law firm. Thank you guys very much!!

Shekeara

5 star review

I highly recommend Eltringham Law Group to anyone seeking legal advice after having a car accident. David Eltringham and his entire staff gave me the personal attention I needed during a very difficult and painful time. David took the extra steps needed to ensure that I received the medical care I needed as well as the financial compensation I deserved. Harold Torres, Paralegal updated me every step of the way. Thank you Eltringham Law Group!

Laura Lauri

5 star review

I had such a great experience with Eltringham Law Group! I was always kept in the loop and the experience was so personal. I was always in close contact with Teresa who was an absolute pleasure to work with. I would definitely recommend Eltringham Law Group again and again – I couldn’t have asked for a better experience!!!

Alex Peacock

Recent Case Results

$1.025M

RIDE SHARING

November 2021

$1M

COMMERCIAL TRUCKING ACCIDENT

March 2022

$600K

CAR ACCIDENT WITH MINIMAL VEHICLE DAMAGE

March 2022

$425K

CAR ACCIDENT NO SURGERY

March 2022

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Lighthouse™ is a system unique to Eltringham Law Group – Personal Injury & Car Accident Attorneys, it’s what makes us different from other personal injury attorneys. We built this program to hold our own attorneys accountable and make sure our clients are getting the care and consideration they deserve.

sign up phase 1

Client Onboarding
Client Onboarding

The client meets with our Lighthouse Concierge Team to discuss the details of their potential case. A dedicated Lighthouse Team Member is assigned to the case to gather information and maintain constant communication with the client.

discovery phase 2

Investigation Case Analyzer
Investigation Case Analyzer

The assigned Lighthouse Team Member gathers and assess all information related to the case. A majority of the information is processed, paperwork is submitted and any questions/concerns the Lighthouse Team has for the client are clearly communicated and addressed.

Client Success Maximizer 3

Client Success Maximizer
Client Success Maximizer

The client meets with their Lighthouse Concierge Team Members to conduct a full review and explanation of the process. Both legal and medical records are reviewed and our team sets realistic and achievable expectations for the client.

Phase 1 Medical 4

Phase 1 Medical
Phase 1 Medical

The client is undergoing treatment at this point of the process and the Lighthouse Concierge Team maintains consistent communication to monitor the treatment scheduled. Additional medical referrals and testing may be required at this point if recommended by the current medical provider.

Phase 2 Medical 5

Phase 2 Medical
Phase 2 Medical

The client finalizes initial medical treatments that may include referrals to specialists, medical procedures, further testing and/or additional treatment recommendations by their medical providers.

Resolution or Litigation 6

Resolution or Litigation
Resolution or Litigation

The Lighthouse Concierge Team is in communication with those involved with and/or responsible for the damages incurred in your case. Two possible outcomes at this stage are 1) an achieved settlement agreement or 2) the inability to achieve a fair settlement that will result in the Eltringham Law Group filing a law suit on your behalf.

Post-Settlement Process 7

Post-Settlement Process
Post-Settlement Process

The case has completed and an agreement/resolution has been achieved with maximum in the best interest of the client. The Lighthouse Concierge Team meets with the client to fully explain the results and work diligently to finalize their case.

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