Woman seriously injured in Florida boat accident
On behalf of Eisenmenger, Robinson & Peters, P.A. posted in Boating Accidents on Wednesday, April 29, 2015.
Florida’s waterways are a source a great pride for the state. Thousands of people flock to Florida each spring to take advantage of the state’s beautiful beaches and waterways. While here, people engage in all sorts of recreational activities. Boating, in particular, is a popular pastime.
Boaters, however, need to take care to avoid an accident. Like with any motor vehicle, drivers need to be attentive and follow safety rules. Otherwise, a serious boat accident could occur.
Sadly, not all boat operators follow the rules. Suspected boater negligence recently led to a serious accident between a boat and a couple of paddleboarders. According to reports, two women were paddleboating at night when the accident occurred. Authorities claim that the women were using appropriate lighting to be on the water.
When the women noticed a boat behind them, they tried to get the drivers attention by shining a flashlight. However, they were unsuccessful. As the boat approached, the women were forced to retreat to the water in order to attempt to avoid a collision. Unfortunately, one of the women was hit by the propeller of the boat.
Following the accident, the woman was taken to a nearby hospital via a helicopter. Her injuries were so severe that the doctors had to amputate the leg below her knee. The boat did not stop following the accident and police continue to search for the vessel.
When people are injured in boat accidents, like this one, they may be entitled to compensation. If the boaters were acting negligently, then they can be held financially responsible for the damage caused.
Source: NWF Daily News, “Paddleboarder hit by boat, flown to hospital,” Tom McLaughlin, April 13, 2015
