South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

August has already proven a tragic month for South Florida boating accidents after two Ft. Pierce men died just two days apart in separate boating incidents in the area, TCPalm.com reports.

Tragedies such as these illustrate that watercraft accidents resulting in injury or death are a constant factor for anyone who enjoys boating, swimming or fishing in South Florida waterways. If you or someone you know has been injured as the result of an accident in our area, speaking with a South Florida personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights.

The TCPalm.com article indicates that both victims had decades of experience on the water and weather played no role in their deaths. The body of commercial fisherman Cory Brangan, 26, was identified August 9. He was found alone in his boat which had run aground in Indian River Lagoon.

According to NBC-5, the other boater, Cornelius McPhall, 44, slipped, hit his head, and fell overboard while dropping anchor. He was pulled to sea by strong currents and was not wearing a life jacket.

In 2009, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission issued a Fatality Data Report showing that Florida is second only to Texas in national boating-related fatalities. Out of nearly 982,500 registered sea-going vessels there were 65 recorded, investigated, boating-related deaths. The top five causes (in order of frequency) were: falling overboard, capsizing, swamping/flooding, collision with a fixed object and collision with another vessel.

Being aware of and obeying the rules, regulations and laws advancing boating and boater safety is the first and most obvious step to enjoying safe and responsible activities in the nearly 6,000 square miles of water surrounding Florida. But, perhaps the easiest thing a person can do when they head out on the water is simply wear a Coast-Guard approved life jacket.