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With all the great weather that Florida has to offer both residents and tourists, it should come as no surprise that many people look for reasons to take to the water and enjoy the waves as much as possible. Attorney Randall Spivey, as well as most other Fort Myers personal injury lawyers, knows that boating accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, and when those accidents occur, the injuries sustained can be life-changing. And when a death occurs due to the accident, the level of devastation is often unimaginable. One family, as well as the legal community, recently learned of the death of a Florida attorney after a boating accident, and undoubtedly, everyone wants answers as to why the accident happened.

According to the news story, the attorney was in Key West on a lobstering trip with one of her friends. They were riding on a catamaran when they noticed that a large boat was traveling directly toward them. In an effort to leave the catamaran prior to being hit by the large boat, the two women jumped into the water, with the hopes of swimming away from the impending collision. However, it appears that the operator of the large boat finally observed that he was about to collide with the catamaran and he changed his direction at the last minute. When he changed directions, he ended up hitting both women. One woman, the attorney's friend, was reported to be in stable condition after the accident; however, the attorney died from her injuries.

Your Rights While on the Water

Fort Myers personal injury lawyers know that under the law, boat operators, just like motor vehicle operators, have a responsibility to operate their boats safely while traveling Florida waterways. What this means is that boaters are required to abide by certain rules and regulations, to include paying close attention to the water, remaining distraction-free while the boat is in operation, and yielding the right-of-way. When boat operators fail to follow those rules, accidents can occur that can result in injuries or even death.

In the above-mentioned accident involving the attorney, authorities say that the operator of the larger boat that hit the women could face criminal charges, noting at the time of the article that they were still trying to make a determination as to why or how the driver of the large boat failed to see the catamaran that was in his direct line of travel at the time.

Individuals who have sustained injuries from a boating accident, or loved ones who have lost a family member due to another boater's negligence, are encouraged to seek legal counsel from a lawyer who knows the laws and has an understanding of how they might affect the outcome of their particular cases. The law permits accident victims to recover compensation for their damages if they can demonstrate the other party's negligence.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a boating accident, and you have questions or concerns about your rights, contact the Fort Myers personal injury lawyers at the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. as soon as possible.