Boating accident attorney

If you were injured in a boating accident in Florida, the boat’s operator, its owner, a rental or charter company, or a manufacturer may be responsible for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Get medical care first, make sure the accident is reported, and talk to a lawyer before you speak with an insurance company.

Demesmin and Dover Law Firm represents people injured on the water across Florida. Case reviews are free, and you pay no fee unless we recover compensation for you. Call (866) 954-6673, any time.

How common are boating accidents in Florida?

Florida recorded 694 reportable boating accidents in 2025, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Those accidents caused 51 deaths.

Personal watercraft, such as jet skis, were involved in 161 accidents, or 23% of the total.
Just over half of the deaths were drownings.
Alcohol or drugs played a role in 14% of boating deaths.
Florida has about 1.03 million registered vessels.

Illinois recorded 81 reportable boating accidents in 2025, with 12 deaths and 37 injuries, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Seven of those 12 deaths involved alcohol or drug impairment.

Who is liable in a Florida boating accident?

More than one party can be responsible. We look at each of these:

The operator. Speeding, not keeping a lookout, ignoring navigation rules, or boating under the influence.
The owner. Letting an untrained or impaired person operate the boat, or failing to maintain it.
A rental, charter, or tour company. Skipping safety instructions, renting to unqualified operators, or sending out a boat without required safety equipment.
A manufacturer. A defect in the boat, the engine, or safety gear.
Another boater. A second vessel that caused the collision or threw a dangerous wake.

What types of boating accidents do we handle?

Collisions with another vessel
Collisions with docks, markers, and other fixed objects
Jet ski and personal watercraft crashes
Falls overboard and falls on board
Capsizing, flooding, and sinking
Groundings and strikes on underwater objects
Propeller injuries
Fuel fires and explosions
Injuries caused by another boat’s wake

Do you have to report a boating accident in Florida?

Yes, in serious cases. The operator must stop, help anyone who is hurt, and report the accident right away when:

someone dies or disappears,
someone is injured and needs medical treatment beyond first aid, or
property damage reaches at least $2,000.

The report goes to the FWC, the county sheriff, or the local police department. Leaving the scene of a boating accident is a crime.

In Illinois, you must report a boating accident that causes a death, an injury that needs more than first aid, or total property damage of $2,000 or more. Reports go to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Illinois Conservation Police, or local law enforcement.

Who investigates a boating accident?

The FWC investigates most boating accidents in Florida. County sheriff’s marine units and city police handle some local waters, and the U.S. Coast Guard may be involved offshore or when a commercial vessel is part of the accident. The investigating officer’s report is often the most important early evidence in an injury claim, so ask for the report number at the scene.

In Illinois, the Illinois Conservation Police, part of IDNR, investigate boating accidents. The U.S. Coast Guard may also be involved on Lake Michigan.

What compensation can you recover after a boating accident?

Medical bills, now and in the future
Lost wages and reduced earning ability
Pain and suffering
Damage to your boat or other property
Wrongful death damages for the family of someone who was killed

How long do you have to file a boating accident claim in Florida?

In both Florida and Illinois, the deadline to file a lawsuit for most negligence claims is two years from the date of the accident.

Boating cases are not always that simple. An accident on navigable waters can fall under federal maritime law, which has its own rules and deadlines. Cruise ship tickets usually set much shorter deadlines, sometimes requiring written notice within months. Talk to a lawyer early so the right deadline is identified.

What should you do after a boating accident?

Get everyone to safety and call for help. On the water, use VHF channel 16 or call 911.
Get medical care, even for injuries that seem minor.
Make sure the accident is reported, and ask for the report number.
Photograph the boats, the scene, and your injuries.
Get the names and contact details of the operators, owners, and witnesses.
Keep the rental agreement or charter paperwork if there is any.
Do not sign anything or give a recorded statement to an insurance company before you get legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

Can I file a claim if I was a passenger on a friend’s boat?

Yes. A claim is usually paid by an insurance policy, not by your friend personally. Passengers are rarely at fault, so these are often the clearest boating claims.

What if the boat operator was drinking?

Operating a boat under the influence is illegal in both Florida and Illinois, and the legal limit in each state is 0.08, the same as for driving. An arrest or a failed test is strong evidence of negligence in your injury claim. The criminal case and your injury claim are separate, and you do not have to wait for one to finish before starting the other.

What if the operator or owner has no insurance?

You may still have options. Depending on the facts, coverage can come from the owner’s policy, a rental or charter company’s policy, or a policy of your own. We check every available source.

How much does a boating accident lawyer cost?

We work on a contingency fee. You pay nothing up front, and we are paid only if we recover compensation for you.

Boating accident attorneys near you

We handle boating accident cases across Florida. Link each of these to its current city page:

Talk to a Florida boating accident attorney today

Call Demesmin and Dover Law Firm at (866) 954-6673 for a free, confidential case review. Hablamos español. Nou pale kreyòl.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different.

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