| When do you need one? A Florida boating accident | | | | of 2006, over 1 million boats were registered in Florida |
| lawyer typically handles cases arising from the use or | | | | and an estimated 350,000 unregistered boats were on |
| misuse of pleasure boats, as well as the pursuit of | | | | Floridian waters. Issues that arise for boat usage |
| water activities such jets skiing, parasailing, water skiing, | | | | include improper registration, reckless driving, speeding |
| diving, and fishing. To involve a lawyer at all would | | | | in no wake areas, disrupting the sea grass, and injuring |
| mean reporting an accident that included death, | | | | manatees, which are protected by federal and state |
| disappearance, personal injury, or property damage, | | | | law. In fact, Florida laws are very protective about its |
| any or all of which occurred on the water. Leaving the | | | | natural resources and native wildlife. Yet the |
| scene of an accident or driving under the influence of | | | | ever-increasing boat population requires constant |
| alcohol is as serious on the water as it is on land. | | | | vigilance. |
| Meanwhile, for Florida boating accident lawyers to do | | | | When boating accident charges are serious and a |
| their job, they must adhere to admiralty and maritime | | | | lawyer is needed, maritime law is not for the amateur |
| laws, which are the regulations that govern the sea. | | | | or general legal practitioner. Some rules of the water |
| From small craft and sail boats to cruise ships and | | | | vary from those on land. For example, seamen who |
| tankers, admiralty law is an important subset of the | | | | work on boats are not covered by Workman's Comp |
| legal profession, especially in Florida. | | | | in the event of an accident. Yet a Florida boating |
| For lesser infractions, authorities like the local sheriff, | | | | accident lawyer would know that traditionally, the |
| the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, | | | | same seaman has other protective statutes in place |
| and the Coast Guard manage to keep the burgeoning | | | | that would protect him. |
| population of recreational water craft under control. As | | | | |