The Florida Keys begin at Key Largo and are part of an archipelago of about 1,700 small islands called “keys” which divide the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Beginning at the southeasternmost tip with Key West, the Keys include Big Pine Key, Duck Key, Islamorada, Key Biscayne, Long Key, Marathon, Sugarloaf, Tavernier and Key Largo closest to the mainland. This diverse, unique and beautiful area offers some of the world’s best boating, sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing.
Unfortunately, with the popularity of recreational boating in the Florida Keys, accidents are also very common. Commercial maritime accidents are common as well. In fact, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) boating accident statistics, Monroe County has more boating accidents each year than any other county in Florida. Almost all of these accidents happen in the Florida Keys.
The FWC publishes statistics on boating accidents in Florida each year, and each year, Monroe County ranks among the counties with the most boating accidents in the state. This is largely due to the high number of recreational and commercial boating accidents in the Florida Keys. Here are some more notable statistics on boating accidents in the Florida Keys from the FWC:
This includes fishing boats, bowriders, deck boats, jon boats, speedboats, and pontoons. Open motorboats, personal watercraft (i.e. jet skis) and cabin boats account for the next largest percentages of boating accidents in the Florida Keys.
Well over half of all boating accidents in the Florida Keys involve small boats less than 22 feet in length. Sailboats, fishing boats, and yachts exceeding 40 feet account for just 15 percent of all local accidents.
According to the FWC, inattention accounts for more than twice as many accidents in the Florida Keys as any other factor. After inattention, the most common boat accident factors are:
Collisions between vessels are slightly more common than collisions with fixed objects such as docks and day markers. Flooding (or swamping) is the next most common type of accident, followed by groundings and falls overboard.
Charters, sightseeing tours, dinner tours, and yacht rentals are common attractions in Key West. Unfortunately, some charter and tour operators follow the rules more closely than others, and some yacht owners seem to think that the rules do not apply to them. As a result, accidents are fairly common—from slip-and-fall accidents on deck to groundings and falls overboard.
With the Port of Key West being a popular stop on many cruise liners’ routes, we handle a significant volume of cases involving cruise ship accidents. This includes:
When cruise lines and other companies fail to protect their passengers and patrons, they deserve to be held accountable. At Brais Law Firm, we use our experience to make sure this happens. Whether you personally suffered an injury or assault onboard a cruise ship, your child or spouse was harmed or you have tragically lost a loved one, we want to help you recover.
How Do I File a Maritime Accident Claim in Key West?
Should I Talk to a Lawyer if I Was Injured on a Shore Excursion in Key West?
Do I Need a Key West Maritime Lawyer if I was Injured on the Job?
The steps involved in filing a maritime accident claim in Key West depend on the specific type of claim you need to file. To find out what you need to do to protect your rights, you should speak with a local attorney as soon as possible.
Yes, if you were injured during a shore excursion in Key West, you should absolutely speak with a lawyer. Our lawyers have significant experience helping cruise passengers pursue claims for all types of onboard and onshore accidents.
Yes, if you have been injured on the job, you should consult with an attorney promptly. While you are most likely entitled to compensation, collecting this compensation won’t be easy. An experienced Key West maritime lawyer can help.
