At
Kemp Personal Injury Law, we understand that after an accident, many victims are overwhelmed with the mere thought of pursuing legal action and the many challenges they may face. We believe that victims should be squarely focused on recovering from their injuries after a Winter Haven boating accident, which is why we are dedicated to seeking justice on your behalf and taking the weight off of your shoulders.
If another party has caused a boating accident that led to your injuries, Winter Haven boating accident lawyer Adam Kemp is available to make sure the responsible parties are held liable for their actions and victims are fully compensated for their injuries. Our team at Kemp Injury Law has the experience, dedication, and resources needed to help you recover damages for the physical and emotional trauma you have suffered in a Winter Haven boating accident.
What Are the Common Types of Winter Haven Boating Accidents?
There are over one million vessels registered in the state of Florida alone. Whether you are out fishing, relaxing in the warm weather, or enjoying water sports like jet skiing or wakeboarding, a Winter Haven boating accident can happen in a number of ways under an infinite number of circumstances. However, the FWC’s annual report provides us with data that helps identify some of the most common types of boating accidents, such as:
- Collisions with another vessel, object, or person: Just like car accidents, boating accidents often occur when a boat or personal watercraft collides with another vessel, object, or person. In 2022, 398 boating accidents involved such a collision.
- Falls overboard: About 27% of all fatal boating accidents in Florida involve a victim falling overboard.
- Capsizing: A boat or personal watercraft becomes increasingly dangerous as it takes on water and begins to flood, eventually causing the boat or watercraft to capsize.
- Drowning: According to the FWC, drowning is the leading cause of death in Florida boat accidents, accounting for 64% of all fatalities.
Common Causes of Winter Haven Boat Accidents
- Driver inattention: Operator inattention and improper lookout are two of the leading causes of accidents. Drivers who fail to pay proper attention to their surroundings put themselves and others at risk of serious injury.
- Driving under the influence: Operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a criminal offense. It is also a contributing factor in approximately half of all boating accidents.
- Driver inexperience: A lack of experience leads to errors in judgments and mishandling the boat. The FWC reported that 83% of operators involved in a fatal accident in 2022 had little to no prior experience or education.
- Defective equipment: A defect in manufacturing as well as the failure to properly repair and/or maintain a boat or personal watercraft can result in a boating accident. Machinery failure was a leading cause of Florida boating accidents in 2023.
- Speeding: Speeding is another one of the primary causes of Florida boating accidents. Operating at high speeds not only lowers your reaction time, but can drastically increase the severity of the impact, making injuries much worse.
- Defective equipment: A defective design or a defect in manufacturing as well as the failure to properly repair and/or maintain a boat or personal watercraft can result in a boating accident.
- Failure to Follow Florida Boating Laws: Violating no-wake zones, speeding near docks, or ignoring navigational rules often leads to serious accidents.
These are just a few of the main causes of boat accidents in Winter Haven, although there are dozens of factors that could come into play that contribute to an accident. For example, many collisions are also caused by adverse weather and hazardous waters, reckless driving, passenger behavior, and even fires onboard the vessel.
Regardless of what kind of boat accident you were involved in or what the cause of the collision was, our team is here to stand by victims who have been injured or killed because of another party’s negligence. If you or a loved one has been seriously or fatally injured in a Winter Haven boat accident, call us today and see how the team at Kemp Injury Law can help make a difference.
If you or a loved one have been seriously or fatally injured in a Winter Haven boat accident, contact us today and see how our experienced team can help you claim the compensation that you rightfully deserve.
Common Winter Haven Boating Accident Injuries
The types of injuries victims may sustain in a boating accident are often similar to those that occur in a car accident, with the added risk of drowning injuries. Passengers involved in a Winter Haven boating accident, especially when reckless driving or speeding are a factor, may experience serious injuries. Some common boating accident injuries in Winter Haven include:
- Head injuries: Boaters and passengers may suffer a head injury, or even a traumatic brain injury (TBI), if they are either struck by an object inside the vessel, ejected from the vessel, or hit by another boat during the accident.
- Back and spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries can be devastating, possibly resulting in lifelong impairment and potential paralysis. Passengers who are forcefully thrown around the boat or fall straight on their back can easily suffer serious back and spinal cord injuries.
- Internal injuries: A violent impact during a collision can cause blunt force trauma that damages your organs or causes internal bleeding. Because these injuries are not immediately apparent, they can quickly worsen and become life-threatening if not treated promptly.
- Broken bones: A forceful collision or even something as simple as slipping and falling on a boat can lead to broken or fractured bones, most commonly in the arms, legs, ribs, or collarbones.
- Drowning injuries: Drowning is one of the most frightening and life-threatening experiences that a boater or passenger can experience. Victims who aren’t wearing the proper protective gear, such as a life vest, or are knocked unconscious and thrown from the boat suffer serious risk of drowning. Victims who manage to live may still experience near-drowning injuries such as brain damage due to a lack of oxygen.
Every accident is different, and victims may suffer from these injuries and more depending on the severity of the crash. Many victims are fortunate enough to walk away with minor injuries like sprains, strains, or small lacerations. However, not all victims can be so lucky.
What Compensation Is Available in a Winter Haven Boating Accident Case?
If you were injured in a Winter Haven boating accident because of another driver or party’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation. At Kemp Personal Injury Law, we help injured victims recover damages for the economic and noneconomic losses caused by their accident, including:
- Medical expenses (hospital stays, surgeries, ambulance rides, physical therapy, etc.)
- Lost wages and future earnings
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
If your accident has left you seriously injured or permanently disabled, unable to enjoy life or your hobbies the way you once were, our team can also help you seek compensation for a loss of enjoyment of life.
We also cater to other personal injury accident cases in Winter Haven, ensuring that victims receive the justice and compensation they deserve, regardless of the type of accident they have endured. We specialize in cases such as:
If you have lost a loved one in a Winter Haven boat accident, our team is also here to provide compassionate legal support and help you pursue a
wrongful death claim.
How Can an Experienced Winter Haven Boating Accident Lawyer Help?
If you have been injured or lost a family member in a Winter Haven boating accident because of another party’s negligence, the team at Kemp Injury Law is committed to helping you seek justice. As a former prosecuting attorney and associate at one of the largest personal injury firms in America, attorney Adam Kemp is dedicated to using his extensive litigation experience and considerable resources to ensure that victims are fully and fairly compensated for their physical and emotional injuries.
An experienced Winter Haven boat accident attorney like Adam Kemp can help strengthen your case in a number of different ways, including:
- Investigating and gathering evidence: Our team works closely with our clients after a boat accident by gathering crucial evidence that bolsters your case, including accident reports, witness statements, any available surveillance footage, and more.
- Proving negligence: An important part of pursuing compensation is identifying and determining a liable party in your accident. One or more parties may be responsible for your injuries, and our team can help identify those liable, including:
- Boat drivers
- Boat owners
- Rental companies
- Passengers
- Manufacturers
- Negotiating with insurance companies: As a seasoned personal injury attorney, Adam Kemp has plenty of experience communicating and negotiating with insurance companies. Many times, an insurance company may try to minimize your payout or deny your claim altogether. Our team will communicate with insurance to make sure you are receiving a fair settlement and you don’t accept any lowball offers.
At Kemp Injury Law, we work hard to develop a personal relationship with each one of our clients, helping ensure that the legal process is less stressful and intimidating than it seems. We offer our clients in Winter Haven the personalized care and attention that they deserve, and that many of the larger firms are simply unable to provide.
When you partner with Kemp Injury Law, you will have a dedicated personal injury team in your corner, fighting to secure you the maximum compensation, protect your rights, and get you on a road toward recovery. If negotiations with the insurance company fail, we are prepared to help you file a lawsuit and represent you in court. Come see why injured victims in Winter Haven have continually trusted Kemp Injury Law to handle their personal injury cases.
Contact Kemp Injury Law After a Winter Haven Boat Accident
If you or a loved one have been injured in a boating accident, contact an experienced Winter Haven boating lawyer at Kemp Injury Law to discuss your legal options. We understand that the impact of a boat accident extends beyond just the physical challenges, often causing financial hardship and emotional trauma as well. It is our mission to make sure that victims receive the maximum compensation available for their injuries, handling personal injury cases in Winter Haven, Lakeland, and throughout Polk County, Florida.
Florida law typically allows victims four years from the date of their boat accident to file a claim, though it is recommended that you consult with an attorney as soon as possible to have the highest chances of securing the maximum compensation. Those who have lost a family member in a Winter Haven boat accident will have two years from the time of death to file a wrongful death claim.
Don’t wait to take action. Contact our team at Kemp Injury Law today for your free initial consultation by calling (863) 225-0254 or by filling out our convenient
online contact form. We take great pride in helping injured victims and families in Winter Haven defend their rights and recover the compensation they deserve.
