With Florida's growing population, particularly the Jacksonville metro area and other coastal regions, our waterways are more crowded than ever with over one million registered boats in the state. Meanwhile, the average horsepower and speed of our watercraft has increased. As a result, unfortunately, boating accidents in Jacksonville and the surrounding areas are on the rise. Many of these accidents occur at night and involve collisions with docks, other boats, bridges, barges, or channel markers.

Obviously, boats have no brakes and the waterways have no stop signs or traffic lights to guide us. Common sense and knowledge of boating safety rules are a must. However, unlike a car, there is no requirement in Florida that a boat operator over the age of 21 have any type of license or take any classes or testing whatsoever.

With the spread of personal watercraft such as jet skis, jet boats, and sea doos, we see a whole new group of boaters that often have no other boating experience at all. These watercraft, capable of incredible speeds and quick turns, are often involved in accidents with the most serious of injuries. In 2007, personal watercraft accounted for 13% of all registered boats in the state, yet they were involved in 24% percent of all boating accidents. Twenty-one percent of fatal accidents involved personal watercraft.

All too often people think that going out on a boat is a good time to get intoxicated. Nothing could be further from the truth. In 2007, twenty-two percent of boating deaths were caused by alcohol or drug use. Drunk driving in a boat is every bit, if not more, dangerous than driving a car after drinking.

The attorneys of Jacksonville law firm Thomas & Lawrence have intimate knowledge of boating safety and our local waterways. Both Scott Thomas and Greg Lawrence are avid boaters. Boating injury claims require this level of knowledge and the willingness to thoroughly investigate a claim as it is often unclear how an accident happened or who was at fault. Our firm has the experience and resources to conduct an exhaustive investigation of your claim. If we are unable to receive a fair settlement offer, we stand ready to present your claim to a jury. Contact us today.