SUMMER SAFETY: TIPS TO AVOID BOATING ACCIDENTS

Boating is a popular pastime in Florida, and with summer upon us, many families are already enjoying time on the water. While boating, jet skiing, and other water sports can be fun, they can also be potentially dangerous if certain safety precautions are not followed. In fact, the U.S. Coast Guard reports that thousands of people are injured and hundreds more tragically lose their lives in boating and watercraft accidents each year.

More than half of boating accidents are negligence related, meaning that they result from things like inexperience, poor judgment, and operator error. In the interest of protecting your safety, The Florida Law Group offers this list of helpful tips to help reduce your chance of being involved in an accident.

• Don’t drink alcohol. Alcohol decreases concentration, focus, and reaction time, which can have disastrous results out on the water. If you plan to operate a watercraft, or even if you are a passenger, you should avoid alcohol – not just because it is dangerous, but also because boating while intoxicated is illegal.
• Always wear a life jacket. The most common boat-related fatality by far is drowning. Even if you can swim, you and your passengers should wear life jackets as a precaution.
• Create a pre-departure safety check. Before you head out onto the water, look over your boat to ensure that it is in good operating condition. You should also be sure to bring supplies like bottled water, food, flashlights, tools to fix your boat, and more in case of an emergency.
• Know the weather forecast. Boating in poor weather is another leading cause of boating and watercraft accidents. If conditions aren’t favorable for boating, it may be best to postpone your day on the water.

If you have been injured due to the carelessness of a boat or other watercraft operator, you may have a potential claim for compensation. You are encouraged to immediately contact a Tampa boating accident attorney at The Florida Law Group for a free initial evaluation of your case. Our knowledgeable attorneys have more than a century of combined experience and are prepared to fight for maximum damages on your behalf. Our office can be reached at 813-513-9537.