Boating accidents jumped both statewide and in the Florida Keys in 2011, reports the Miami Herald.
Monroe County held the top position of the most dangerous county for boating, with six boating deaths and 66 injuries in 2011.
That fatality toll includes the three powerboat racers killed in two crashes during a Key West race in November. Two fishermen were killed in August when a flats boat crashed into a utility pole at the Cards Sound Bridge.
Overall, Florida marine officers statewide reported 742 accidents and 67 deaths. Of the 742 accidents involving 1018 vessels, boats hit other boats or stationery objects in 313 cases.
The most common fatal boating accident was falling overboard. In two-thirds of the fatalities, drowning was ruled as the cause of death.
Careless operation was the most common reason for accidents. Next were mechanical failure, operation inattention, operator inexperience, bad weather, and speeding.
There were 308 arrests statewide for boating under the influence last year, and ten boating deaths in 2011 were linked to alcohol.
With 75 maritime mishaps, Miami Dade County was the second most dangerous county for boating.
Other counties with high accident numbers were Palm Beach (58), Broward (41), Lee (41), Pinellas (36) and Collier (34).
If you or someone you know has been injured in a Florida boat accident, the Miami personal injury lawyers at Steinger, Greene & Feiner may be able to help.
About the Author
Michael Steinger
MICHAEL S. STEINGER, founding partner of Steinger, Greene & Feiner, believes in representing real people, not big businesses. Since the firm’s creation in 1997, Steinger, Greene & Feiner has never represented an insurance company or large corporation, and he vows to keep this promise. Over the course of his career, Michael has handled thousands of Florida accident cases, recovering millions of dollars for his clients and earning him membership into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Staying up-to-date on the ever-evolving laws protecting injury victims and their families, Michael is an active member of the American Bar Association, the Palm Beach, and St. Lucie Bar Associations, and sits on the Auto Insurance Committee of the Florida Justice Association.
Michael Steinger
MICHAEL S. STEINGER, founding partner of Steinger, Greene & Feiner, believes in representing real people, not big businesses. Since the firm’s creation in 1997, Steinger, Greene & Feiner has never represented an insurance company or large corporation, and he vows to keep this promise. Over the course of his career, Michael has handled thousands of Florida accident cases, recovering millions of dollars for his clients and earning him membership into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Staying up-to-date on the ever-evolving laws protecting injury victims and their families, Michael is an active member of the American Bar Association, the Palm Beach, and St. Lucie Bar Associations, and sits on the Auto Insurance Committee of the Florida Justice Association.