Avoiding Accidents on the Water this Spring

Now that spring has ushered in warmer weather, Tampa Bay area residents from Clearwater to St. Pete and everywhere in between are finally able to enjoy Florida’s beaches and wide assortment of activities on the water.  These include boating, swimming, kite surfing, and jet-skiing.

Motor boats and jet skis carry a particularly high risk of personal injuries from collision and rollover accidents.  This is because power boats and personal watercraft are able to travel at speeds of over 70 mph, making them unstable and difficult to maneuver around slower sailboats, kayaks, and kite surfers.   In January of this year, a woman suffered injuries when she jumped in the water in the Intracoastal Waterway in St. Petersburg and was struck by a boat propeller.  The driver of the boat had not seen the woman in the water, according to the Tampa Bay Beacon.

At PERENICH The Law Firm, our boating and jet ski accident injury attorneys have represented many victims and their families in helping them recover for their injuries and damages from accidents caused by the careless, negligent, and reckless acts of others on the water.

This season, be sure to take all safety precautions, including wearing life vests, carrying a radio, and reviewing Florida safety laws for boats and jet skis, which are considered motor vehicles.