Fort Lauderdale’s beautiful waterways attract millions of boaters each year. Unfortunately, maritime collisions can turn a perfect day on the water into a nightmare. When boat accidents occur, victims often face serious injuries, extensive medical bills, and complex legal challenges unique to maritime accident claims. At Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers, we have dedicated our practice to understanding and navigating these challenges, helping injured victims seek the compensation they deserve.
If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a boating accident, don’t wait to seek legal help. Call (954) 715-3260 today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Fort Lauderdale boat accident lawyer and get started on your case today.
Can I sue after a boating accident in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes, boating accident victims in Fort Lauderdale can sue for compensation if someone else’s negligence caused the crash. Here’s how a Fort Lauderdale boat accident lawyer can help:
- Investigate the accident, including boat maintenance logs, operator credentials, and weather conditions
- Determine liability under Florida and maritime law
- Pursue damages for medical bills, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and more
- Help families file wrongful death claims if a loved one was killed
- Negotiate fair settlements and take your case to trial if insurers won’t cooperate
- Work on a contingency fee basis—no fees unless they win
Benefits of Working With Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers
Choosing qualified legal representation after a boat accident can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. At Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers, we bring years of experience handling complex maritime accident cases throughout South Florida, and we understand the quintessential legal framework that governs waterway incidents.
Our team has successfully recovered millions of dollars for clients injured in various types of personal injury cases, including Fort Lauderdale boat accidents. We’re committed to fighting for the maximum compensation available in every case we handle, providing you with the support and reassurance that we will do everything in our power to ensure you receive the full value of your claim.
Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers recognizes that our success depends on gaining the trust of our clients. We believe that trust is built through transparent communication, aggressive advocacy, and a genuine commitment to securing the best possible outcome for each person we represent. When you work with our firm, you’re not just hiring a lawyer—you’re partnering with a legal team that will stand by your side throughout the entire legal process, ensure your voice is heard, and prioritize your well-being.
Contingency Fee Arrangements
One of the most significant advantages of working with our firm is our contingency fee structure. These arrangements stipulate that you don’t pay our attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf. We understand that boat accident victims often face significant financial pressures due to medical expenses and lost income, and the last thing they need is the added stress of upfront legal costs. Our contingency fee arrangement ensures that you have access to high-quality legal representation without financial risk while having a sense of security and peace of mind, knowing that you won’t incur additional costs unless we successfully resolve your case.
Comprehensive Case Investigations
Every boat accident case demands a comprehensive investigation to establish liability and strengthen your claim. We conduct an exhaustive review of the circumstances, scrutinizing vessel maintenance logs, evaluating weather reports, and verifying operator credentials to ensure no critical detail is overlooked. This thorough approach to case investigations is designed to provide you with the reassurance and confidence that your case is being handled with the utmost care and attention to detail.
Compensation for a Boat Accident in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Boat accident victims in Fort Lauderdale may be entitled to actual damages designed to address both the immediate and long-term consequences of their injuries. These damages are typically divided into economic and non-economic categories, each addressing different aspects of how the accident has impacted your life. Understanding the compensation available is essential for ensuring you pursue the full value of your claim and don’t settle for less than your claim is worth.
Special Damages
Special damages, also known as economic damages, consist of the measurable financial losses you’ve experienced as a direct result of your boat accident. These damages are typically easier to calculate because they’re based on actual expenses and documented financial impacts. Special damages our boat accident attorneys calculate include the following:
- Medical Expenses: Includes hospital bills, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and ongoing treatment costs. Accurate documentation of these expenses is essential to ensure full reimbursement.
- Future Medical Costs: Covers anticipated expenses for long-term care, rehabilitation, and future medical procedures related to your injuries. These costs are often calculated with the help of medical experts and financial planners.
- Lost Income: Compensation for the income you lost while recovering from your injuries. Pay stubs, employer statements, or tax records can be used to support your claim.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: Damages for reduced ability to earn income in the future due to long-term or permanent injuries. Vocational experts may be consulted to evaluate the impact on your career and earning potential.
- Property Damage: Reimbursement for damage to your boat, personal belongings, or other property lost in the accident. Repair estimates, receipts, and photos can help establish the value of the losses.
- Transportation Costs: Covers travel expenses for medical appointments or other injury-related needs. These may include mileage, public transit fares, or rental car fees related to your treatment.
- In-Home Care Services: Compensation for hiring help with daily living tasks if you’re unable to perform them due to your injuries. Services may range from nursing assistance to help with daily tasks such as cooking and cleaning.
- Assistive Devices and Modifications: Includes wheelchairs, prosthetics, or necessary modifications to your home or vehicle. These adaptations are often vital for maintaining independence and quality of life.
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Any miscellaneous costs incurred as a direct result of the boating accident, such as over-the-counter medications or temporary lodging. Even smaller expenses can add up significantly over time and should be tracked carefully.
Special damages provide a concrete foundation for your compensation claim because receipts, bills, and other documentation confirm them. However, calculating future economic losses often requires input from economists and other professionals who can project the long-term financial impact of your injuries. Our trusted attorneys work with qualified experts to ensure every aspect of your economic damages is properly valued and included in your claim.
General Damages
General damages, also referred to as non-economic damages, compensate victims for the intangible ways their boat accident has affected their quality of life. While these damages don’t have specific dollar values attached to them, they often represent the most significant portion of a boat accident settlement. At Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers, we determine value for the following general damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Psychological trauma (anxiety, depression, and PTSD)
- Development of naviphobia (fear of boats, ships, and other vessels)
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Diminished quality of life
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Permanent impairment and disability
- Loss of consortium (companionship, spousal relations, guidance, and support)
- Worsening of previous conditions
- Shortened life expectancy (lost years)
General damages require careful documentation and often benefit from testimony by mental health professionals, family members, and others who can speak to how your injuries have changed your daily life. Our attorneys understand how to effectively present evidence of non-economic damages to insurance companies and juries to ensure you receive fair compensation for these essential aspects of your claim.
Wrongful Death Benefits in Florida
When boat accidents result in fatal injuries, surviving family members may be entitled to pursue wrongful death benefits under Florida law. Wrongful death claims allow certain family members to seek compensation for their losses while also holding responsible parties accountable for their actions. These benefits may include:
- Final arrangement costs (funeral, burial, and cremation)
- Lost financial support and benefits the decedent would have provided
- Medical expenses incurred by your deceased loved one
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of parental guidance
- Lost prospect of inheritance
- Conscious pain and suffering of the decedent
- Pain and suffering of surviving family members
Wrongful death cases require sensitive handling and thorough preparation to ensure surviving family members receive the full value of their claim. Our boat accident attorneys have experience working with grieving families and understand how to pursue these complex claims while providing the support and guidance families need during such difficult times. We work diligently to honor the memory of your loved one while fighting for the justice and financial security your family is entitled to.
The statute of limitations for boat accidents in Florida depends on the specific circumstances of the accident and the type of claim being filed. Our attorneys ensure that we meet all legal deadlines, pending the circumstances of your case.
Common Locations for Boat Accidents in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale’s extensive network of waterways creates numerous opportunities for maritime recreation but also presents various hazards that can lead to serious accidents. When accidents happen in these areas, the specific location can impact both the investigation process and the applicable legal framework governing your case. Common locations for Fort Lauderdale boat accidents are as follows:
- Intracoastal Waterway: Heavy boat traffic and narrow channels create dangerous conditions for collisions and wake-related accidents.
- New River: A congested waterway with numerous bridges and heavy commercial vessel traffic that increases accident risk.
- Atlantic Ocean: Offshore accidents involving larger vessels, weather-related incidents, and navigation challenges
- Port Everglades: The combination of commercial shipping traffic and recreational boats creates hazardous conditions.
- Las Olas Boulevard Waterway: A high-traffic area popular with tourists and locals that experiences frequent accidents.
- Hillsboro Inlet: Challenging navigation conditions and strong currents that can lead to groundings and collisions.
- Lake Sylvia: A popular fishing and recreation area where operator inexperience often contributes to accidents.
Each of these locations presents unique challenges for accident investigation and liability determination. Maritime accidents occuring in federal waters may fall under a different legal jurisdiction than those in state waters, and commercial shipping areas may be subject to additional regulations and liability considerations. Our legal team has extensive experience handling boat accident cases throughout all of Fort Lauderdale’s waterways and understands how location-specific factors can impact your case.
Causes of Fort Lauderdale Boat Accidents
Boat accidents in Fort Lauderdale waters result from various factors. Understanding the common causes of maritime accidents helps establish liability and build strong compensation claims for injured victims. Many boat accidents are entirely preventable and result from negligent behavior or violations of marine safety regulations that put innocent people at risk, including:
- Operator inexperience
- Operator intoxication
- Improper lookout
- Reckless operation
- Navigational errors
- Equipment failure
- Excessive speed
- Poor weather conditions
- Wake jumping
Determining the exact cause of your boat accident requires a thorough investigation and often involves multiple contributing factors. Our Fort Lauderdale boat accident attorneys work with maritime accident reconstruction specialists and other professionals to examine all potential causes and identify every party who may bear responsibility for your injuries. Even when accidents involve multiple causes, negligent parties can still be held accountable for their role in creating the dangerous conditions that led to your accident.
We Fight for Fair Settlements for Fort Lauderdale Boat Accidents
Insurance companies often employ multiple strategies to minimize payouts on boat accident claims, taking advantage of victims who may not understand their rights or the actual value of their case. Our legal team has extensive experience dealing with insurance companies and their representatives, and we know how to counter their strategies. Standard tactics insurance claim adjusters use to delay, deny, and devalue claims include:
- Attributing fault to boating accident victims
- Offering lowball and quick settlements
- Disputing medical necessity
- Delaying the claim processing
- Minimizing pain and suffering
- Claiming pre-existing conditions
- Advising that you do not need a Fort Lauderdale boat accident lawyer
We protect our clients from predatory insurance practices by handling all communications with insurers on their behalf. We maintain detailed documentation of all communications with insurance companies and their representatives, and we’re prepared to take cases to trial when insurers refuse to offer fair compensation. By having experienced legal representation from the beginning of your case, you can focus on your recovery while we handle the complex legal and insurance issues that arise in boat accident claims.
Speak to an Experienced Fort Lauderdale Boat Accident Lawyer Now
Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of your situation or accept less compensation than you deserve for your boat accident injuries. The maritime legal system is complex, and attempting to handle your case without experienced legal representation often results in inadequate settlements that don’t fully address your needs. At Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers, we have the knowledge, resources, and commitment necessary to fight for the maximum compensation available in your case, and we’re ready to put our experience to work for you today.
Call (954) 715-3260 now to schedule your free consultation with an experienced Fort Lauderdale boat accident lawyer who will evaluate your case and explain your legal options. During your consultation, we’ll review the circumstances of your accident, discuss the injuries you’ve suffered, and provide honest guidance about the strength of your case and the compensation you may be entitled to receive. Don’t wait—contact Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers today and take the first step toward securing the monetary justice you are owed.