Articles Posted in Boating Accidents

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With the many waterways in southern Florida, this part of the country is a great place for boating and kayaking. If you’re planning on kayaking this summer in Hollywood or anywhere in South Florida, keep these safety tips in mind to avoid boating injuries and accidents:

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1) Always wear a life jacket. Since kayaking can seem like a leisurely and relaxed way of spending time in the water, some people feel they don’t need a life jacket. Nothing could be further from the truth. Even if you’re kayaking in gentle waters, have plenty of experience and are in shallow water, accidents do happen. A life jacket can help you swim to safety and can make you easier to spot by emergency teams. Even if you are a strong swimmer, you can hit your head or be injured if you fall into the water. In these situations, a life jacket can save your life. Continue reading →

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Boat accidents in Miami and other coastal areas of Southern Florida can be frightening. Whether your boating collision took place aboard a chartered boat or your own private craft, there are a few steps you’ll want to take to protect yourself and your passengers:

1) Get medical help.

If you or anyone on board is injured, get emergency medical help. Even if you feel fine after an incident on the water, get a medical evaluation quickly. Some injuries may not present symptoms right away. The stress of the accidents can also prevent you from noticing all symptoms, so it’s important not to assume you’re uninjured.

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Florida has more boats than any other state – about 899,635 in 2014. Unfortunately, Florida also has the unfortunate distinction of having more boating accidents than most other parts of the country. In 2014, there were 634 reportable boating accidents. To prevent a boating accident in Miami or your community, there are several things you will want to do:

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1) Know the risks.

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This Monday is Columbus Day and with the long weekend here, many South Florida residents are heading out on their boats. If you’re one of them, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Coast Guard, and local law enforcement have some tips for you:

1) Stay alert and sober.

Distracted boating and drunk boating can be just as deadly as distracted, fatigued, or drunk driving on Hollywood or Florida streets. In fact, drinking can be more dangerous on the water because the motion of a boat can exacerbate symptoms of drunkenness. According to the Coast Guard, alcohol is the sixth leading cause of boating accidents – and distraction and fatigue are also common issues. If you’re not sober or well enough to operate a boat, designate someone to operate the boat safely.

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Cruise ship workers and crew have a hard job. While they get to travel the world, they also have to put in demanding hours at work, offer exceptional customer service to cruise ship passengers, and complete their tasks – sometimes in difficult conditions or in rough seas. When crew members and cruise ship workers are injured, they may qualify for compensation but securing that compensation can be a challenge.

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If you are a crewmember or work for a cruise ship and have been injured, you may wonder whether you have a maritime personal injury claim. You don’t have to wonder any longer. Simply contact Flaxman Law Group for a free consultation to discuss your situation and your rights.

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Florida has a huge number of boaters, water enthusiasts, and waterways. While most boating enthusiasts stay safe on the water, the state is dedicated to helping prevent boating accidents. Even so, boating accidents cause far too many injuries and claim far too many lives each year across Florida. There many things that you can do to keep safe when heading out on the water this year:

1) Get training.

Take a boating safety course to find out how to avoid accidents and how to protect yourself if you are ever in a boating collision or go overboard. According to authorities, lack of skill is one of the leading contributors to boating collisions in Hollywood and across the state.

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Miami and surrounding areas have some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Each year, residents and visitors alike flock to these beaches in order to enjoy themselves. While most beachgoers leave with a suntan and some great pictures, each year some people are injured near the water due to preventable accidents. If you are headed for the sun and surf, make sure that you:

1) Check conditions before you go.

Look up surf conditions and avoid swimming when red or yellow flags indicate that swimming is prohibited or dangerous. Check the tide schedule and temperature so that you are prepared for the conditions.

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Florida has many waterways and in some communities there are pools in almost every back yard. It’s no secret: Floridians love their water recreation, whether its swimming, boating, or water sports. While the weather permits year-round fun in the water, though, all the opportunities can also mean plenty of water and boating accidents in Homestead and other cities.

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The Florida Safety Council and other organizations are committed to improving water safety in the state and preventing water-related fatalities and injuries. Everyone has a role in this project. For example, you can help by:

1) Learning to swim and helping family and friends learn to swim.

Strong swimming skills are one of the best ways to prevent drowning. Swimming lessons can also help teach water safety. If you have children or family, make sure that everyone you know knows the importance of swimming.

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Over the Fourth of July weekend this year, a 32-foot boat and a 36-foot boat collided on Key Biscayne, killing four people and seriously injuring three boaters. While the investigation is still ongoing, there is evidence to suggest that alcohol may have been on board one of the boats. The boating accident, one of the worst to occur in Florida, has once again put the focus on boating safety in Miami and Florida.

The state is already known for its high number of boaters and boating accidents. In 2013 alone, there were 62 boating fatalities in Florida, as well as 420 injuries and 736 boating accidents. Florida authorities say that changing conditions – especially more crowded bays and faster boats – may be contributing to more boating accidents than ever before and say that a serious strategy is needed to curb injuries and deaths.

Drinking and Boating: A Deadly Mix

One of the major contributors to boating accidents in Miami and other Florida communities is alcohol, and several lawmakers are looking for ways to crack down on boating under the influence. Carlos A. Gimenez, the Miami-Dade County mayor, has been looking to create a task force to tackle the issue, for instance. Other lawmakers have been hoping to use some of the same strategies used to curb drunk driving in Miami to curb boating under the influence.

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Labor Day weekend is a popular time to head out to Florida’s many waterways. Whether you are heading out to the rivers of Southern Florida or the beaches of Miami, boating accidents and other water-related accidents remain a concern. According to the Coast Guard and other authorities, holiday weekends tend to have higher rates of water-related injury, and Labor Day is a weekend that usually involves many of these types of injuries. The Coast Guard and other authorities have a number of tips to keep you safer around the water:

1) Never head near the water after drinking.

When you’re out on the water, you already have to deal with the sun, the glare off the water, and the Florida heat. When you add alcohol or drugs to the mix, you have the potential for a truly dangerous situation, especially since alcohol and drugs can exacerbate the effects of the sun. Alcohol and drugs can also affect your mobility and your ability to think clearly, which can result in drowning and other water-related tragedies. Boating under the influence is also illegal and can result in criminal charges.

2) Wear a life jacket.

Each person on board a boat should have a Coast Guard approved life vest. In the event of a boating accident, these vests can help keep you above the water, even if you hit your head or lose consciousness. Life jackets also make you more visible if you do go overboard, increasing the chances that emergency responders can find you.

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