Kevin Odom
2 months ago
Practice Area
Boating Accident Lawyer
According to U.S. Coast Guard casualty data for 2011-2015, Florida leads
the nation in both boating accidents and boating fatalities.*
*Source: COMDTPUB P16754.29. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. U.S. Coast Guard. Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety. 2015 Recreational Boating Statistics. Available at URL: http://uscgboating.org/library/accident-statistics/Recreational-Boating-Statistics-2015.pdf.
Our No Risk Pledge
You Pay Us Nothing Unless We Win Your Case
As a trusted boating accident lawyer, we know Florida’s beautiful coastline and extensive waterways make recreational boating accidents a way of life. But with more boats on the water, boating accidents occur far too often—and can result in serious injuries or even death.
In fact, U.S. Coast Guard data ranks Florida #1 in the country for both boating accidents and fatal boating accidents. If you or someone you love has been injured in a boating or personal watercraft accident, you need experienced legal help from a firm that understands the complexities of a boating accident claim.
At BillBone Law Group, our board-certified personal injury attorneys bring over 60 years of combined experience to every claim we handle. We fight for the injured with integrity, compassion, and proven results.
You don’t have to pay unless we win. Don’t let injuries suffered in a boating accident capsize your life!
Contact us today and receive the compassionate and experienced legal assistance you need and deserve.
Get Your Free Case Evaluation Now!
you are not alone
Why Choose BillBone Law Group?
Board-Certified Trial Attorneys: Less than 1% of Florida attorneys hold this distinction. We’re not just negotiators—we’re courtroom-ready accident lawyers.
Local Experience: We’ve successfully handled boating accident claims across West Palm Beach, the Treasure Coast, and South Florida.
Proven Results: Our firm has recovered millions for injury victims and families because we pursue every case with strategic precision and relentless dedication. Hassle free legal process.
No Fees Unless We Win: You pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
Unsure If You Have a Claim? Call Us.
Not every accident leads to a claim. However, you won’t know for certain without an honest and professional evaluation. We offer free case reviews, and we’ll tell you upfront if your boating accident claim has legal merit.
Our attorneys investigate every potential source of liability to identify all responsible parties. We frequently uncover liability in:
Boat operators or boat owners
Rental companies
Boat manufacturers or maintenance crews
Event organizers or marina operators
plan of action
What To Do After a Boating Accident
Seek Immediate Medical Attention – Even minor symptoms can signal major boating accident injuries.
Report the Accident – File a boating accident report with the Coast Guard or local authorities.
Document Everything – Take photos of the scene, your injuries, and damage to the vessel.
Avoid Discussing Fault – Don’t speak to insurers or other parties until you’ve consulted a boating accident attorney.
Call Us for a Free Consultation – Protect your rights from the very beginning.
What Sets Our Law Firm Apart From The Rest?
Communication & Teamwork
We have big firm ability and experience, boutique firm creativity, and personal attention.
Clients can rely on us to be approachable, responsive, efficient, and effective. We respond promptly to telephone calls, report regularly on case developments, and stay on top of changes in the law.
Communication is one of the most critical and often overlooked aspects of the attorney-client relationship.
Knowing where you stand during a difficult time can be very comforting. We manage cases using a team approach; the client is an integral team member.
Working closely with you as the client, our attorneys quickly analyze the merits of each case, evaluate the underlying facts and law, and develop a strategy.
When the talents of their outstanding support staff join them, they provide clients with truly exceptional legal representation.
Common Types of Boating Accidents
The most frequent boating accidents typically involve collisions with:
Waves
Land
Submerged rocks or objects
Other boats or personal watercraft
The wake created by another boat
Frequent Causes of Boating Accidents
The U.S. Coast Guard lists the following key factors that contribute to boating accidents and injuries:
Alcohol use or boating under the influence
Drug use
Excessive speed
Failure to vent
Improper lookout
Inadequate onboard navigation lights
Navigation rules violation
Boat operator inattention
Violations of boating laws
Operator inexperience
Restricted vision
Sharp turn
Starting in gear
Improper anchoring
Improper loading
Overloading
People on gunwale, bow, or transom
Equipment failure
Hull Failure
Congested waters
Dam/lock
Force of wave/wake
Hazardous waters
Missing/inadequate navigation aid
Weather
Carbon monoxide exposure
Ignition of fuel or vapor
Sudden medical condition
Other
Unknown
Operator error or negligence accounts for the top five contributing factors for boating accidents.
Operator inattention
Operator inexperience
Improper lookout
Excessive speed
Alcohol use
Most boating accidents involve high speeds, open water, and dangerous equipment—all of which can lead to boating accident injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and other severe injuries. We represent victims injured in a wide range of water-related incidents, including:
Collisions with other boats or personal watercraft
Capsizing or flooding
Propeller injuries
Falls overboard
Wake damage
Jet ski accident cases
and other boating accidents
Connect with an experienced boat accident lawyer today and win your case.
Not Sure If You Have A Claim? If In Doubt, Contact Us
important things you should know
Additional Information
Boating injury cases require a specific understanding of both Florida state boating laws and federal maritime law. Depending on whether the vessel was used for work or recreation, your case may fall under dramatically different rules, including the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act or the Jones Act.
Without legal guidance from experienced boat accident lawyers well-versed in these laws, critical filing deadlines and procedural rules may be missed, jeopardizing your right to compensation. That’s why hiring a boating accident attorney with the right expertise is essential.
Your Case Deserves a Trial-Ready Advocate
At Bill Bone Law Group, we’re not afraid to go to court. Whether your claim involves a serious boating incident, boat accident fatalities, or a wrongful death, our reputation as seasoned personal injury attorneys gives us leverage when negotiating with insurers.
We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial—because that’s how we secure the best outcomes. You’ll receive personalized legal support, open communication, and honest answers every step of the way.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating or watercraft accident, it’s crucial to consult a knowledgeable attorney with specific experience in handling such cases. Boating accidents can fall under Florida state law, federal maritime law, or both. Federal maritime laws often differ significantly from state laws governing accidents and civil cases. Maritime law includes its own set of technical rules regarding filing deadlines, pleading requirements, and procedural matters that attorneys without boating accident experience may not fully understand.
Failing to comply strictly with these rules can result in your claim being denied or dismissed, regardless of its merits. That’s why it’s essential to work with an experienced lawyer who knows which laws apply to your case and how to use the facts and legal framework to obtain the full compensation you deserve.
Additionally, whether you were boating for pleasure or work can impact the liability and procedural rules governing your case. For example, if you were injured while pleasure boating, Florida law will likely apply, though this isn’t always the case.
Conversely, if you were injured while working on navigable waters, your case may fall under federal law, specifically the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. Determining which laws apply requires a complex legal analysis that should only be handled by an experienced board-certified trial lawyer with experience handling boating accident cases.
Our board-certified trial lawyers in West Palm Beach have the deep knowledge needed to protect your rights, the compassion to support you during this challenging time, and the proven skills to recover the compensation you’re entitled to.
Don’t wait—contact us today for a free initial consultation and case review. Time is of the essence. Every day you delay seeking legal help brings you closer to potentially losing your right to file a claim for your injuries.
Boating Accidents in Florida
Florida leads the nation in boating accidents, surpassing all other states. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, between 2011 and 2015, there were 3,284 boating accidents and 291 fatalities in Florida waters. To put this into perspective, California, which ranked second during the same period, reported 1,938 accidents and 224 deaths.
If you’ve been injured in a boating accident, the at-fault party’s insurance company might reach out with a settlement offer. However, this offer could be far lower than what you truly deserve, considering the extent of your injuries and the details of the accident. The problem is, you likely have no way to determine whether the offer is fair.
Why? Because determining fairness requires knowledge of past settlement amounts and jury verdicts in cases similar to yours. Insurance companies rely on this data during negotiations, but without access to the same information, you’re left in the dark about whether the offer is reasonable.
The good news is, you don’t have to accept the insurance company’s offer without knowing whether it’s a full and fair offer.
Our team tracks settlements and jury verdicts in boating accident cases, allowing us to estimate the reasonable value of your claim based on comparable cases. This helps us determine if the insurance company’s offer is fair or if it doesn’t appear to be a good-faith offer.
Don’t wait—call us today before agreeing to any settlement. Once you accept an offer, it’s final, and you can’t pursue additional compensation later, even if you realize the settlement was far less than your claim’s actual worth.
Getting Compensation After a Boating Accident
Boating accidents often happen because at least one party acted negligently. For an injured victim to recover compensation, they must prove that another party is legally responsible for their injuries. Establishing legal liability can be complicated. Generally, the victim needs to demonstrate:
The other party had a duty to act with reasonable care toward the victim.
That duty was breached, and
The breach directly caused the victim’s injuries.
Insurance companies often go to great lengths to avoid liability. They may deny responsibility entirely, try to shift blame onto the victim (see discussion on Comparative Negligence), or downplay the severity of the injuries.
To achieve this, they rely on a team of adjusters, attorneys, medical professionals, and technical experts to minimize payouts.
Facing such challenges alone makes it incredibly difficult for accident victims to secure full and fair compensation. However, having a board-certified trial lawyer with experience with boating accidents on your side can level the playing field and significantly increase your chances of receiving fair and complete compensation.
The types and amounts of damages awarded in boating accident cases depend entirely on the specific facts and circumstances of each case. Numerous factors influence the settlement amount or jury award for an injury claim.
As a result, the compensation someone you know received or the amounts highlighted in law firm advertisements have little to no relevance to the actual value of your specific claim. This is why consulting with a knowledgeable attorney experienced with boating accidents is crucial.
They can protect your rights and provide a fact-based, experience-driven evaluation of your claim’s potential worth.
Without an objective and reasonable assessment from an experienced lawyer, you risk accepting a settlement offer that’s far too low or holding out for an unrealistically high amount.
In either case, you may not receive fair or full compensation for your injuries, property damage, out-of-pocket expenses, and lost income, or any compensation at all.
In boating accident cases, compensatory damages are the most common type of award. As the name suggests, these damages aim to compensate the injured party, helping them return to their physical, emotional, and financial condition before the accident. Compensatory damages are typically divided into two categories: Noneconomic Damages and Economic Damages.
Boating accident injuries can result in substantial physical, emotional, and financial burdens. Victims may suffer:
Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Broken bones
Burns
Drowning or near-drowning complications
Emotional distress and PTSD
We fight for full and fair compensation that may include:
Noneconomic Damages
Bodily injury and associated pain and suffering
Disability and physical impairment
Disfigurement
Loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life
Mental anguish (if associated with a physical injury)
Economic Damages
Past lost income
Future lost income
Past medical expenses
Future medical expenses
Replacement value of damaged or lost personal property
Mileage (travel to medical appointments and pharmacy)
Work with an experienced boat accident attorney. We handle the most common boating accident injuries around West Palm Beach to cover medical bills as boating accident victims.
Florida follows the doctrine of modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar rule. F.S. § 768.81. This is a fault and damages the allocation system. Florida law uses the term “comparative fault” rather than the more commonly used “comparative negligence.”
Under this system, fault is determined and apportioned among the parties involved (plaintiff and all defendants), and the amount of compensation the plaintiff can recover is limited by his or her relative share of fault for causing the accident that resulted in the injury.
As a result, the plaintiff’s recovery is limited by his or her assigned percentage of fault. The 51% bar rule means that if the plaintiff’s allocated percentage of fault is 51% or greater, he or she is completely barred from recovering any damages.
Plaintiffs in Florida must be 50% or less at fault for the accident that resulted in their injuries in order to recover damages.
For example, assume a plaintiff is determined to be 50% at fault, and the damage award is $100,000. The amount to which the plaintiff is entitled is $50,000 because the plaintiff’s allocated percentage share of fault, i.e., 50% or $50,000, is deducted from the total damage award.
If the plaintiff were determined to be 51% at fault, he or she would be completely barred from recovering any damages because Florida applies the 51% bar rule. Thus, if the plaintiff is deemed 50% or less at fault for the accident, he or she is eligible to recover damages; however, if the plaintiff is deemed 51% or more at fault for the accident, he or she is not eligible to recover any damages.
Our No-Win, No-Fee Promise
We work on a contingency fee basis: no fees or costs unless we win. Our free consultations are available 24/7, including evenings and weekends, ensuring you can reach us anytime.
Settlement Offers: Why You Should Wait Before Accepting
The at-fault party’s insurer might offer you a quick settlement—but don’t be fooled. These early offers are often designed to save the insurance company money, not to help you recover from boating injuries.
Our firm uses up-to-date verdict and settlement databases to accurately assess what your case may be worth. We’ll advise you whether an offer is fair—or if you’re being pressured to settle for less than you deserve.
Once you accept an offer, your claim is closed forever. Let our personal injury lawyers help you make an informed decision.
Contact Us Today For Your Free Case Evaluation
Not Sure If You Have A Claim? If In Doubt, Contact Us
Guidance for Success
So Many Lawyers: How To Choose One?
There are so many West Palm Beach boating accident lawyers that it’s nearly impossible for the average person to identify and choose one truly among the area’s top practitioners. It’s true—in fact, there are far too many … but it’s equally valid that there aren’t enough really good ones. So how do you identify and choose one of the really good ones?
Top Laywer
Bill Bone are consistently recognized by their peers as being at the pinnacle of the profession and thus earns inclusion in Best Lawyers each year.
98% of People Read
Online Reviews for Lawyers and other local businesses before deciding to hire them. Online client reviews of personal injury lawyers can be useful sources of information for potential clients.
"Board certified lawyers are Evaluated for Professionalism, Tested for Expertise.”
Boating Accidents
Call Us Today for a Free Case Evaluation
Time is not on your side. The longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes to gather evidence, locate witnesses, and preserve your legal rights. We have assisted accident victims across West Palm Beach, the Treasure Coast, and South Florida. You can rely on our expertise, dedication, and proven results.
We’re available 24/7. Bilingual staff ready to assist (English and Spanish). No fees unless we win.
Call BillBone Law Group Today for a Free Boating Accident Case Evaluation.
Let a professional boating accident lawyer West Palm Beach handle your legal process and your case so you can focus on recovery.
