Fort Lauderdale Boating Accident & Collision Attorney

Our Firm Helps Individuals and Families Recover Financial Compensation After Serious and Fatal Boat Accidents in Fort Lauderdale

Whether you have suffered an injury yourself or have lost a loved one in a devastating boating accident, the experienced team of maritime lawyers at Brais Law know this area of the law inside and out. Founder, Keith Brais has hands on maritime experience in nearly every way that one possibly can. He started out working on offshore oil rigs after getting his degree in marine engineering. After suffering a career ending injury, he went to law school and became a top, Florida Bar board certified expert in admiralty and maritime law. After nearly 20 years representing the major cruise lines and insurers, one particular case affected him differently. At that point he decided to switch sides and formed Brais Law Firm with the mission to help individuals get the compensation they rightfully deserve.

Florida's Alarming Number of Serious and Fatal Boating Accidents

Each year, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) publishes a Boating Accident Statistical Report with data on boating accidents in Florida and the state’s coastal waters. Here are some of the most notable statistics published by the FWC:

• Boating accidents are on the rise. The FWC’s data show that the number of boating injuries in Florida has increased steadily over the past five years. The number of fatal boating accidents has increased over the past three years as well.
• Lacerations are the most common type of boating injury. More than a quarter of all reported boating injuries in Florida are lacerations. This includes injuries from prop strikes as well as other types of accidents.
• More than half of boating accident victims were ejected from the vessel. Well over half of all boating accidents resulting in injuries involve a passenger or crew member going overboard.
• Nearly two-thirds of all reported boating injuries involve impact with a boat or a fixed object.
• According to the FWC, Florida sees more fatal boating accidents each year than any other state. After the states with the second and third highest numbers of fatalities, Florida has more than twice the number of fatal boating accidents of any other state.
• The FWC’s data show that boating accidents happen all day long in Florida. While most boating accidents occur between 8:00 am and 10:00 pm, the FWC’s report includes injury-involved and fatal boating accidents from every hour of the day.

How We Determine Liability

Depending on where and why your (or your loved one’s) boat accident happened, multiple parties could potentially be responsible for your losses. When we investigate boat accident cases, we evaluate the possibility of filing claims against parties including:

• A Negligent Boater – Many accidents result from boater negligence. If a negligent boater is responsible for what happened, you may have a claim under his or her insurance policy.
• An Employer – Employers can be held liable when their employees cause accidents on the water.
• A Marina, Port, Boat Landing or Dock Owner – Marinas, ports, boat landings and dock owners can be held liable when accidents involve issues related to their premises or operations.
• A Boat Manufacturer – Boat manufacturers can be held liable when accidents result from hull, engine and other defects.
• Other Negligent Parties – Rental companies, boat clubs, negligent passengers and various other parties will be liable for boat accidents in many cases as well.