Personal Injury · Jeff T. Gorman Law Offices

Florida Boating Accident Attorney
Treasure Coast Waterways.
Trial-Ready Representation.

Florida leads the nation in registered vessels and in boating accidents. The Intracoastal Waterway, St. Lucie River, Indian River Lagoon, Jupiter Inlet, and Lake Okeechobee are all active Treasure Coast boating areas where accidents happen year-round. Chris Walsh handles boating accident injury claims with the same aggressive, full-preparation standard he brings to every personal injury case. No fee unless we recover.

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2-Year Florida Boating Accident Deadline — Call (772) 888-8888 Now
Christopher Walsh
Christopher Walsh
Trial Attorney · FL Bar #127459
$M+
Recovered for Clients
0
Fee Unless We Recover
4.9★
Google Rating · 260+ Reviews
“Former U.S. Navy combat aviator. I bring the same precision and tenacity to personal injury cases that I brought to the flight deck.”
What Makes Boating Accident Claims Challenging
●Florida does not require recreational boat operators to carry liability insurance — many negligent operators are uninsured
●Accident scenes on open water deteriorate rapidly; witness identification and evidence preservation are time-critical
●FWC and Coast Guard investigations may run separately from your civil claim and generate their own evidence and findings
●BUI investigations create parallel criminal proceedings that intersect with your civil claim in complex ways
●Admiralty and maritime law may apply in some boating cases, adding a jurisdictional and legal layer beyond standard Florida tort law

What the Evidence Shows —
and Where It Can Be Challenged

The Treasure Coast is boating country — the St. Lucie River, the Indian River Lagoon, the Intracoastal Waterway from Jupiter to Sebastian, and Lake Okeechobee attract recreational boaters, fishing guides, and commercial vessels year-round. Florida consistently leads the nation in both registered vessels and boating accident fatalities. When an accident happens on these waterways, the legal landscape is different from a standard auto accident claim in several important ways. Insurance may not exist. Maritime law may apply. Evidence on open water disappears faster than on land.

Chris Walsh handles boating accident cases throughout the Treasure Coast and surrounding waterways. Jeff Gorman’s criminal defense background covers the parallel BUI proceedings that often accompany serious boating accidents. Both areas of expertise — the civil personal injury claim and the criminal BUI defense — are available at Jeff T. Gorman Law Offices from the first call.

⚖️ Florida Boating Accident Law
Florida’s boating accident law is primarily governed by Florida Statute §327 (Florida Vessel Safety Law). BUI (Florida Statute §327.35): BAC of 0.08 or higher or impairment by any substance; criminal offense and civil negligence evidence. Accident reporting (Florida Statute §327.30): operators must report accidents involving death, injury requiring medical attention beyond first aid, or property damage over $2,000 to FWC within a specified time. No insurance requirement: unlike motor vehicles, recreational vessels are not required to carry liability insurance in Florida. Federal admiralty jurisdiction may apply to accidents on navigable waters, adding potential federal claims and defenses.
Florida Statute §327.35 (BUI) · Florida Statute §327.30 (Accident Reporting) · Florida Statute §327.54 (Vessel Safety) · 46 U.S.C. (Federal Maritime Law)

How We Fight This Charge

Insurance Investigation
We immediately investigate all available insurance coverage — operator liability, vessel owner coverage, umbrella policies, and your own underinsured watercraft coverage — to identify every source of recovery.
FWC Investigation Review
FWC accident reports, investigative findings, and BUI test results are all critical evidence in your civil claim. We obtain and analyze every document from the official investigation.
Scene Preservation
On-water accident scenes require immediate action to document conditions, vessel positions, weather, visibility, and physical evidence before it disperses or is cleaned up.
BUI Evidence
When the operator who injured you was under the influence, their BUI charge — or even their refusal to submit to testing — is powerful evidence of negligence in your civil claim.
Maritime Law Analysis
We analyze whether federal admiralty jurisdiction applies and, if so, whether it benefits or disadvantages your claim — and structure the case accordingly.
Uninsured Operator Strategy
When the negligent operator has no insurance, we identify and pursue all available assets, umbrella policies, and alternative sources of recovery on your behalf.
Notable Results
RECOVERED
Boating Collision · Intracoastal Waterway · Serious Injury · Full Recovery
SETTLED
Propeller Strike Injury · Operator Negligence · Maximum Available Coverage
RECOVERED
BUI · Negligent Operation · Passenger Injury · Policy Limits

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Case details available upon request.

Common Questions

Boating Accident Attorney FAQ

Does Florida law require boat operators to carry insurance? +
Florida does not require most recreational boat operators to carry liability insurance, unlike motor vehicle operators. This means that when a negligent boat operator injures you, they may have no insurance coverage at all — or minimal coverage. Recovery in uninsured boating cases may depend on the vessel owner's assets, any umbrella policies in effect, or your own underinsured watercraft coverage. An attorney must investigate all available sources of recovery immediately after a boating accident.
What is BUI (Boating Under the Influence) in Florida? +
BUI (Boating Under the Influence) under Florida Statute §327.35 is the operation of a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs to the extent that normal faculties are impaired, or with a BAC of 0.08 or higher. BUI is a criminal offense, and a BUI finding significantly strengthens a civil personal injury claim against the operator. Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers have primary jurisdiction over BUI investigations on Florida waterways.
What are the most common causes of boating accidents in Florida? +
Florida's most common boating accident causes include operator inattention, operator inexperience, excessive speed, alcohol use (BUI), failure to maintain proper lookout, and improper anchoring or wake creation. Collisions with other vessels, collisions with fixed objects, and propeller strikes are the most frequent accident types. The Treasure Coast — with the Intracoastal Waterway, St. Lucie River, Indian River Lagoon, and Lake Okeechobee — is one of Florida's most active boating regions.
How long do I have to file a boating accident claim in Florida? +
The statute of limitations for boating accident personal injury claims in Florida is 2 years from the date of the accident under Florida's 2023 HB 837 tort reform. If the accident involved a vessel owned or operated by a government entity, the notice requirements and limitations periods may be shorter — as little as 3 years with specific pre-suit notice requirements. Contact an attorney immediately after any boating accident injury.
Related Practice Areas
Wrongful Death
Fatal boating accidents give rise to wrongful death claims under the Florida Wrongful Death Act.
DUI Defense
BUI charges follow the same legal framework as DUI. Jeff Gorman defends BUI criminal charges.
Auto Accident
The same 2-year Florida statute of limitations and HB 837 reforms apply to boating injury claims.
Free Consultation · 24/7

Injured on Florida Waters?
The Treasure Coast’s Boating
Accident Attorneys.

From Jupiter Inlet to Sebastian, the Intracoastal to Lake Okeechobee — we know these waterways and we know these cases. Call Chris Walsh at (772) 888-8888. No fee unless we recover.

(772) 888-8888 PSL: (772) 236-5203 Free Online Consultation

Free initial consultation does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Florida Bar Rules 4-7.1 through 4-7.20 apply.