Ten People Hospitalized and Eighteen Injured in Florida Boating Accident

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on June 26, 2013

A recent Florida boating accident injured at least 18 people, with ten of them injured seriously enough to send to hospitals for treatment. Accident investigators say that the accident occurred near Elliott Key in Biscayne National Park when two boats collided. One of the boats was a 36-foot powerboat carrying 16 people. The other boat was much smaller and was carrying two people at the time of the accident. Authorities say that the accident occurred around 6:30 p.m. and that many of the injured suffered serious injuries that required immediate medical attention.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Jorge Pino reported that the accident "was a violent collision. We’re very fortunate no one was killed."

The larger powerboat was badly damaged and towed back to Black Point Marina in Cutler Bay following the accident. The smaller vessel was destroyed and sank, preventing accident investigators from examining the wreckage. Authorities are still trying to determine the course of events that led to the accident but reported that one passenger was injured badly enough to be airlifted to Kendall Regional Medical Center. The other injured people were also transported there for treatment for serious but undisclosed injuries.

In 2011, Florida led all states in the number of boating accidents by a wide margin. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Division of Law Enforcement reports that there were 668 boating accidents in our state in 2011, outpacing second-place California’s 412 accidents. These accidents resulted in the deaths of 67 people and injured at least 431. Orlando boating accident attorney James O. Cunningham would like to remind all area boaters to practice good defensive boating habits, refrain from using drugs and alcohol when boating, double-check to ensure that they have all required safety equipment on board and observe all no-wake zones and speed limits.

If you are injured in a boating accident and would like to speak with an Orlando personal injury lawyer with a proven record of success handling boating accident cases, call Mr. Cunningham today at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587) to schedule a free consultation.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.