James O. Cunningham 
Bicycle Accidents
Pedestrian Accidents
Construction Accidents
Dog Bites
Premises Liability
Product Liability
Medical Malpractice
Nursing Home Abuse
Aviation Accidents
Lockheed Martin Lawsuits
Boating Accidents
Cruise Ship Accidents
Mesothelioma
Amusement Park Accidents
Camp Lejeune LawsuitsFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
One Person Killed, Two Others Injured in Florida Boating Accident
A recent boating accident near Elliot Key has claimed the life of a woman and critically injured two men. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials investigating the accident say that the fatally injured victim was a 37-year-old Colombian woman. FWC officials report that the accident occurred around 10:20 p.m. when the 23-foot boat piloted by one of the survivors collided with a 36-foot boat that was anchored. Investigators do not yet know how fast the boat was traveling when it collided with the anchored boat and have not said if they know why the boat operator was unable to avoid the collision.
Orlando Boaters Urged to Take Approved Safety Course
Our Orlando personal injury attorneys recently read a very disturbing statistic taken from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s “How to Boat Smart: Florida Boating Safety Course.” On page 39 of the publication, there is an “Accident Pyramid” diagram, which shows how different factors lead to Florida boating accidents. The diagram shows that mechanical failure and other problems with equipment cause only ten percent of boating accidents in our state. However, it shows that 75 percent of boating accidents are caused by human error, such as:
Marine Patrol finds Fatal Lake Pickett Boating Accident Victim
Divers have recovered the body of a woman who fell out of a canoe recently in an Orange County boating accident. Officers with the Orange County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol found the victim the day after she fell out of a canoe while fishing on Lake Pickett with two friends. The lake is located in the eastern part of the county between Bithlo and Chuluota. The investigation is ongoing while divers recover evidence from the bottom of the lake and officers have not yet announced if they plan to file any charges in connection with this fatal boating accident. Investigators have only said that the two men riding in the canoe with the victim were pulled from the water shortly after the accident and that attempts to locate the woman immediately after the accident were unsuccessful.
Two People Killed in Florida Boating Accident
Two people riding on a personal watercraft was fatally injured recently when their watercraft collided with a tour boat near the Clearwater Memorial Causeway Bridge. Accident investigators report that the accident occurred about an hour before sunset at 6:10 p.m. when the 51-year-old man operating the watercraft and his 49-year-old female passenger crashed into a double-deck tour boat on a dolphin-sighting cruise. Officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission report that the couple was from out of state and had rented the water scooter.
Man Drowns in Lake Minnehaha Accident
Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham would like to remind boat owners to make sure that they have proper life-saving equipment on board and require guests to wear life jackets while enjoying Florida waterways this busy summer boating season. A recent drowning on Lake Minnehaha illustrates that summer fun on the water can quickly turn to tragedy when proper precautions are not taken.
Florida Leads the Country in Fatal Boating Accidents
According to the most recent data available from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2011 was an especially deadly year for Florida boating accidents, with 67 people fatally injured and hundreds more requiring hospitalization. Our state leads the country every year in total number of boating accidents and people injured and killed in these accidents.
Florida Man Seriously Injured in Alcohol-Related Boating Accident
Orlando boating accident attorney James O. Cunningham would like to remind readers that drinking alcohol while boating on Florida waterways dramatically increases the chances that you will be involved in a boating accident. He urges everyone to take a boating safety course or refresher course, refrain from drinking while boating and observe all speed limits, no-wake zones and other safety measures to make area waterways safer for everyone. The following post about a Florida boating accident illustrates the dangers of drinking while boating very well.
2012 a Deadly Year for Florida Boating Accidents
So far this year, 28 people have been killed in Florida boating accidents, and safety officials are concerned that that number could climb significantly during the busy summer boating season. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recently issued a report, which indicates that our state’s coastal waters are especially dangerous for boaters, particularly those who don’t wear a life jacket or are passengers on a boat piloted by someone who has not taken a boating safety course. Orlando boating accident attorney James O. Cunningham is alarmed at the numbers of people killed and injured in Florida boating accidents this year and urges everyone to wear a life vest and exercise extra caution on the water.
An Orlando Boating Accident Attorney’s Guide to Boating Under the Influence (BUI) Penalties
Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham has seen and assisted a lot of Florida boating accident victims over the nearly four decades since he began practicing law. Sadly, many of these accidents were caused by negligent boaters who operated their vessels while under the influence of alcohol. Florida has more than 11,000 square miles of waterways. In 2011, there were at least 25 confirmed cases of accidents caused by boating under the influence of alcohol or BUI. These accidents resulted in dozens of injuries that required trips to the emergency room. In order to raise awareness about the risks of BUI and help make Florida waterways safer for the upcoming busy summer boating season, Mr. Cunningham has compiled a list of criminal penalties for boaters who drink while operating their vessels.
FWC Claims Excessive Speed and Inexperience Led to Recent Fatal Florida Boating Accident
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officials recently closed their investigation into one of two fatal boating accidents and found that excessive speed and a boater’s inexperience were contributing factors. The 53-year-old victim of one of the accidents died from injuries after being ejected from his watercraft and struck by another during a boating exhibition on Lake Dora. The fatal accident occurred on March 17 during the Classic Raceboat Association’s annual Spring Thunder Regatta. The victim was operating his speedboat when it struck the water at a dangerous angle, throwing him from his vessel. He was struck a few seconds later by a nearby boat and died instantly from his injuries.
Mr. Cunningham is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney.