Despite the coronavirus pandemic, a higher number of Florida boating accidents occurred in 2020 than happened the year before. An alarming percentage of Florida boating collisions arose from operator error, mistake, negligence, or recklessness. A considerable number of boat collisions in the Sunshine State likely could have been avoided if vessel operators that caused the mishaps were not distracted, drunk, unskilled, or fatigued.
2020 Overall Florida Boating Accident Statistics in Review
A grand total of 836 boating accidents were reported in Florida during 2020. Despite the pandemic and some restrictions here and there throughout the year regarding activities, the number of boating accidents in 2020 was up by 113 over the prior year. That represents a 16 percent increase from 2019 to 2020.
402 Florida boating accidents involved watercraft colliding. As was discussed a moment ago, a considerable percentage of all boat accidents arose from operator error or negligence, including collisions. Looking at boating accidents involving collisions specifically, about 44% of those accidents were the result of operator error.
2020 Fatal Florida Boating Accident Facts
More people died in Florida boating accidents in 2020 as well. 65 people lost their lives in Florida accidents in 2019 while 79 died as a result of these incidents in 2020. According to the American Boating Association, 13 percent of all fatal boating accidents that occurred in the United States during 2020 happened in the state of Florida.
Beyond these statistics specific to fatal Florida boating accidents in 2020, falling overboard remains the leading cause of accidental death involving boats in the state. For nearly 20 years, falling overboard has been at the top of the list when it comes to fatal Florida boating accidents.
Of accidents involving people going overboard, the vast majority die by drowning. Some individuals are killed because of impact with the boat, including a propeller, after going overboard. Of all Florida boating accident drowning victims, 88 percent were not wearing a lifejacket at the time of the incident giving rise to their deaths. Boating safety experts advise that a majority of these deaths very well may have been avoided if a person going overboard had donned a lifejacket while onboard a watercraft.
Alcohol and Florida Boating Accidents
Yet again in 2020, alcohol was found to be involved in or a contributing factor to a majority of boating accidents in the Florida. In fact, in 2020, drunk boating was the primary factor in a significant number of boating accidents, including boating collisions.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, drowning accident, or some other type of aquatic accident, the tenacious, caring legal team at The Doan Law Firm is here for you – 24 hours a day. In addition, if you lost a family member in an aquatic accident, our team is here to fight for you. A nationwide law practice, The Doan Law Firm has four offices located across the state of Florida:
- Jacksonville:
50 North Laura Street
Suite 2500
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
(904) 901-0000
- Orlando:
111 North Orange Avenue
Suite 800
Orlando, Florida (407) 289-0000
- Tampa:
4830 West Kennedy Boulevard
Suite 600
Tampa, Florida 33609
(813) 609-0000
- Tallahassee:
113 South Monroe Street
First Floor
Tallahassee, Florida 32302
(850) 601-0000
All of our local Florida boating accident lawyer telephone hotlines are staffed around the clock, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, including all major holidays. In addition, because we are a nationwide law firm, and boating accidents occur from coast to coast in the United States, we maintain a national boating accident attorney hotline as well at (800) 349-0000. The national hotline is also always staffed.
You can schedule an initial consultation at any one of our 40 offices in the country any time that is convenient for you. We can also arrange an initial consultation at your home, your work, or any location that is most convenient for you. A virtual case evaluation can also be scheduled online. There is never a fee charged for an initial consultation and case evaluation.
The Doan Law Firm makes an attorney fee guarantee. Our firm never charges an attorney fee unless we win your case for you. Our goal is winning and winning big for our clients.
