Tampa is home to many boaters who enjoy getting out on the Bay to enjoy the open waters. Unfortunately, while boating can be a fun pastime, it’s also a risky one, with boaters at risk of collisions, propeller injuries, capsizing, and drowning.
Safety regulations are in place in the Tampa area to try to keep everyone safe. Understanding and following these rules is critical. If a boat owner or operator falls short and causes harm as a result of their negligence, wrongdoing, or safety law violations, victims injured by the incident can pursue a compensation claim.
Diaco Law has spent decades representing victims of accidents on Tampa’s waters, and we know the ins and outs of the law well, so we can help you determine if a rule was violated when you or someone you love was hurt. We’ll also do everything we can to help prove the violation so you can get the compensation you deserve.
You can give our boating accident attorneys in Tampa a call to get help pursuing justice in the aftermath of your boating accident, or read on to learn the details about Tampa’s boating laws designed to help ensure your safety.
Boating Laws and Regulations in Tampa
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission published a detailed summary of boating regulations that every boater should review to understand their rights and obligations.
Some of the laws covered include the following:
- Chapter 327 Florida Statute – Vessel Safety: These are state rules that regulate how boats are operated to try to keep waterways safe. They address things like speed limits, the definition of reckless operation, what safety equipment must be on board, when an accident must be reported, and boating education requirements. They also set the laws for personal watercraft and jet skis.
- Chapter 328 Florida Statute – Title Certificates, Liens, Registration: These laws relate to boat ownership, including who the legal owner of a boat is and what registration requirements are in place.
- U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules: These are federal rules that are aimed at ensuring boaters navigate shared waterways safely. They include rules aimed at collision avoidance, including establishing the right-of-way, lighting vessels at night, navigation signals, and rules for crossing and overtaking.
When you are on the water, you are responsible for following all of the regulations applicable to you. If a boater doesn’t do so and causes an accident that leads to injury, victims of the incident can point to the specific law or regulation that was violated to prove liability.
What Happens if a Boating Law is Violated?
A violation of Tampa boating laws can have serious consequences, with the specific penalties depending on the nature of the offense.
For example, if someone is boating while intoxicated, they could face similar penalties to someone who is driving while intoxicated. Those penalties include jail time, fines, and a license suspension.
Reckless driving can also result in criminal convictions, as can failing to stop, not reporting a boating accident as required, or failing to render aid after a boating accident.
In addition to criminal charges, a violation of a safety rule can also create a presumption of negligence in a civil case. This means that if you sue someone whose regulatory violation caused your injuries, the rule violation creates a presumption that they were negligent and can be held liable for losses.
Contact a Tampa Boating Accident Lawyer Today
Diaco Law has been representing clients in boating accidents for many years, and we have an in-depth knowledge of Tampa boating laws and how they apply to your case.
If you need an advocate to fight for justice for you who brings decades of experience to the table, give us a call today.
You can schedule your free consultation with a Tampa boating accident lawyer to get an evaluation of your case and learn how we can help you pursue justice.