Want to dramatically reduce your risk of a fatal accident on Florida waterways?
Take a boating safety class.
More than three-quarters of people who die in Florida water vehicle accidents have never taken a course in safe boating, according to the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
And 76 percent of them were not wearing a life preserver.
Florida leads the nation – by a wide margin – in the number of water vehicle deaths per year.
Seventy-nine Floridians were killed in watercraft accidents in 2010, the most recent year for which numbers are available. This leads California, number two with 55 deaths, and Texas, number three with 27.
One reason Florida leads in this category is the large number of water vehicles – close to 950,000 – in the state. Adding unregistered vehicles pushes this total to over one million.
Following are the top causes of water vehicle fatalities:
- Falls overboard
- Capsizing/collision with fixed object
- Swamping
- Fire
- Collision with vessel.
Most deaths occurred while the boat was cruising (close to one in three), as opposed to drifting, anchored, or changing directions.
Sixty-three percent of deaths were the result of drowning, while 19 percent were attributed to trauma.
Free Consultation With A Stuart Boating Accident Lawyer
Have you or a loved one been in a Florida boating accident? Suffered an injury on a water vehicle? Call an experienced Treasure Coast boat injury lawyer at Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, toll free at 1-800-299-8878, or use this online contact form. We can provide you with a free and confidential case evaluation.
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission http://myfwc.com/media/2231701/2011-fatality-data.pdf
