Drowning takes more lives on Florida waterways than any other cause, and the pattern behind these tragedies looks the same. Once someone goes in the water unexpectedly, a life jacket can make a major difference in whether they stay afloat.
Florida consistently ranks among the top states in the country for boating fatalities. A Florida boating accident lawyer can help surviving family members and injured victims understand their legal options after a fatal or serious crash.
The Schiller Kessler Group can review the circumstances of a fatal boating accident and explain whether negligence may support a wrongful death claim. Families may also need answers about what happened, who was responsible, and what legal options remain available.
Why is Drowning the Leading Cause of Death in Florida Boating Accidents?
Drowning accounts for the majority of Florida boating fatalities, and life jacket use is the single biggest factor in whether someone survives. A Florida personal injury lawyer at The Schiller Kessler Group sees this pattern repeatedly: a preventable crash, a victim without a life jacket, and a family left with questions that deserve real answers.
Florida boats must carry a U.S. Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket for every person on board. Children under 6 must wear one while a vessel under 26 feet is underway. Personal watercraft riders and anyone being towed behind one must also wear an approved non-inflatable life jacket.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation’s (FWC) boating fatalities report, 37 of 51 fatal victims in 2025 were not wearing a life jacket when they died. A jacket that stays in a storage compartment during a crash provides no protection at all.
More people choose The Schiller Kessler Group because they know that we're a cut above other personal injury law firms.
What Other Factors Contribute to Fatal Boating Accidents in Florida?
Operator inattention and inexperience rank among the top contributing factors in Florida boating fatalities each year. Many operators on Florida waterways have little to no formal training, and crowded areas like Tampa Bay, Lake Okeechobee, and the Intracoastal Waterway leave little room for error.
The FWC identifies several recurring factors in fatal and serious boating crashes across Florida, including the following:
- Operator inattention or distraction
- Excessive speed on busy or restricted waterways
- Alcohol or drug use by the vessel operator
- Inexperienced operators unfamiliar with local waterway rules
- Failure to maintain a proper lookout
- Equipment failures tied to poor vessel maintenance
Alcohol use on the water is treated the same as drunk driving under Florida law, and a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher can support a boating under the influence (BUI) charge. A crash caused by an impaired or inattentive operator can open the door to a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
The Schiller Kessler Group reviews the available evidence to determine how the crash happened and who may be responsible. Accident reports may not include every detail, so additional records and witness information can help fill in what happened before the collision.
Does Speed Play a Role in Florida Boating Deaths?
Speeding on Florida waterways raises the risk of a fatal outcome dramatically. A vessel traveling at high speed has far less time to stop or steer clear of another boat, a swimmer, or a fixed object, and the force of impact at speed can cause life-threatening injuries on contact.
No-wake zones exist throughout Florida’s waterways for exactly this reason. Manatee protection zones, residential canals, and marina approach areas all carry speed restrictions that operators are expected to follow. A violation of those rules can support a negligence claim after a fatal or serious crash.
A Florida boating accident attorney from The Schiller Kessler Group can investigate whether speed played a role in the crash and gather the evidence needed to support that finding. Vessel GPS data, witness accounts, and damage patterns can all help establish how fast the boat was traveling before impact.
Can a Family File a Wrongful Death Claim After a Fatal Florida Boating Accident?
A fatal boating accident may support a wrongful death claim when another person’s negligence or wrongful conduct caused the death. Under Florida Statutes § 768.19, Florida law allows a wrongful death action in those circumstances, with the personal representative bringing the claim for eligible survivors and the estate.
The damages available after a wrongful death depend partly on who survived the person who died. Florida law considers that relationship when deciding which financial and personal losses may be recovered.
The Schiller Kessler Group handles wrongful death claims with the seriousness they require. No legal outcome reverses the loss, but recovering compensation can relieve the financial pressure a family faces while working through one of the hardest periods of their lives.
How Long Does a Family Have to File a Boating Accident Wrongful Death Claim in Florida?
Florida generally gives two years to file a wrongful death action under Florida Statutes § 95.11(5)(e). Some fatal boating cases may also fall under federal maritime law, so the filing deadline can depend on where the accident happened and the law governing the claim.
Evidence can become harder to recover as more time passes after a fatal crash. Witnesses may become harder to locate, vessels may be repaired, and electronic records or video may no longer be available later.
The Schiller Kessler Group can identify the deadline that applies and begin gathering records while evidence is still available. Early review is especially important when Florida wrongful death law and federal maritime law could both affect the claim.
Contact The Schiller Kessler Group After a Fatal Florida Boating Accident
The leading cause of death in boating accidents in Florida is drowning, and most of these tragedies involve preventable factors like missing life jackets, operator error, alcohol, and speed. When negligence plays a role, the family left behind may have a path to justice through the civil courts.
We have helped secure compensation for over 30,000 Florida injury victims and recovered more than $250 million for our clients. A Florida boating accident lawyer from our team can review what happened, explain your family’s options, and pursue the full value of your claim.
Contact The Schiller Kessler Group today for a free consultation. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
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