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Fatal Pompano Beach Boating Accident Claims One Man’s Life

Earlier this month in Pompano Beach, a boat accident involving two vessels resulted in one death and several serious injuries. According to one local news report, the fatal accident took place at around 8:20 in the evening on a Saturday in the Intercoastal Waterway.

Evidently, the two vessels involved were traveling near the center of the canal when they collided. One of the boats had five people aboard, three of whom ended up in the water after the collision. Two people from that vessel were hospitalized for their injuries. All aboard are expected to recover.

Rescue crews pulled one man out of the water who was on the second boat, but they were told another man was aboard at the time of the accident. Sadly, it was not until the next day that investigators discovered that man’s body in the canal.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is in the midst of an investigation into the fatal boating accident in hopes of learning how the accident occurred. At the time of the article’s publication, no one was facing criminal charges for their role in the fatal accident.

Boating Accidents in Florida

With thousands of miles of coastline and hundreds of lakes and rivers, Florida is a haven for boaters. However,  the FWC reports that each year there are approximately 50 deaths resulting from boating accidents. This makes Florida the state with the most boating fatalities in all of the United States. California is second with 34 average deaths per year.

By far, most of these accidents involve boaters without formal boating education. Moreover, the single most common cause of fatal boating accidents is impaired operation.

Impaired Boating on Florida Waterways

Florida boaters must refrain from operating their vessels while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Florida law defines Boating While Intoxicated as operating a vessel with a blood-alcohol content of .08 or greater. This is the same threshold as Driving Under the Influence.

When a boater causes an accident and is found to be intoxicated after the fact, the victims of that accident may be able to seek financial compensation for their injury or loss. Unlike traditional negligence actions that require the victim to show that the driver’s negligence was the cause-in-fact of their injuries, a case alleging boating while intoxicated may be able to be proven by showing intoxication alone. To learn more, contact a dedicated Florida boat accident attorney.

Have You Been Injured in a Florida Boating Accident?

If you or a loved one has recently been involved in any kind of Florida boating accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for your injuries or losses. This may be the case regardless of whether the other party was intoxicated. The skilled advocates at the Florida-based personal injury law firm of Cecere Santana have decades of collective experience representing injured Floridians in all kinds of accidents, including boating accidents. Call 800-753-5529 today to set up a free consultation with a passionate and knowledgeable attorney.

More Blog Posts:

Skateboarder Killed in Miami Hit-and-Run Accident, Cecere Santana Injury Lawyers Blog, published August 12, 2015.

Wrong-Way Accident in Deerfield Beach Kills Four and Seriously Injures One Other, Cecere Santana Injury Lawyers Blog, published September 15, 2015.

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