What Is A Boating Accident?

The state of Florida is the home for many commercial cruise ships. In addition, there are more than 100,000 private boat owners throughout Florida. Any injury that occurs on or with a boat is considered a boating accident. A boating accident can occur on someone's privately owned boat, a cruise ship, a personal watercraft (jet ski), or a ferry. It is a general rule of law that the operator of a boat and its owner have a duty to exercise the highest degree of care in order to prevent injuries to others.

The most common boating accidents are collisions with other boats, slip and falls on the boat, sinking, and boat disappearance. Boating injuries usually occur because of a reckless or careless operator, boat malfunction, or an inexperienced operator. Marc Schiller has handled numerous lawsuits against the owners and operators of private boats, personal watercrafts and cruise ships.

Private Boat And Personal Watercraft

Personal watercrafts and private boats are involved in numerous accidents in the State of Florida. Private boats are usually classified as any non-commercial boat that is motor powered and designed to carry two or more people. Personal watercrafts are jet-skies, wave-runners, and sea-doos. The operator of a personal watercraft or private boat has a duty to exercise the highest degree of care to prevent personal injuries to others. A majority of personal watercraft accidents occur when another boat crashes into the operator of the personal watercraft or the owner of a personal watercraft fails to properly supervise the operator of his or her watercraft.

Cruise Ships: Did You Know Your Cruise Ship Ticket Is A Contract?

Cruise ships are basically cities on water. As such, people have suffered severe injuries while on board a cruise ship. Your cruise ship ticket is actually a contract between the passenger and cruise ship line. Unfortunately, most people who board a cruise ship do not realize that the ticket they have purchased is a contract stating, (1) that a cruise ship has limited liability for any injuries that occur while on board, and (2) all foreign country within one-year from the date of accident. Like most travelers, it is rare that you read the back of your tickets or that anyone told you to read it. The Law Offices of Marc Schiller, P.A. has developed several legal strategies to preserve your right to a full recovery for injuries suffered while onboard a cruise ship. We have handled numerous lawsuits against most cruise line operators.

What Should I Do If I Have Been Injured On A Cruise Ship?

• In most cases, a lawsuit most be filed within one year from the date you were injured on a cruise ship.
  
  
• If you do not have any of the information listed below, we will obtain it for you during our factual investigation.
  
  
• If you have recently been severely injured on a cruise ship and have not sought medical attention, you should do so immediately. Obtain a copy of any medical or hospital reports.
  
  
• Immediately report your accident to the cruise ship security and request a copy of the accident report. In addition, if you have been physically assaulted on the cruise ship you should file a report with the local police department.
  
  
• DO NOT discuss or make any statements about your case with any employees or insurance representatives of the property owner, without first speaking with your lawyer.
  
  
• DO NOT accept any forms of payment or sign any releases without speaking to your lawyer. Doing so could waive your right to recovery.
  
  
• Try to get the name and contact information of any people who witnessed your accident.
  
  
• Try to take pictures of the scene of the accident.
  
  
• Try to take pictures of any physically visible injuries you have suffered
  
  
• Store all of the articles of clothing you were wearing at the time of the accident in a plastic bag. Do not wash them.
  
  
• Save your boarding pass and receipt showing the dates you traveled and the amount you paid.
  
  
• Inform us of any other individuals who were previously injured at the same location as your accident.