Common Types of Beach Accidents
Beach accidents can occur under a variety of circumstances. These accidents can sometimes lead to catastrophic injuries and damages which require immediate medical care and treatment. Some common types of Florida beach accidents include:- Drowning accidents or near-drowning accidents
- Surfing accidents
- Accidents sustained in water sports, including traumatic brain injuries
- Cuts and lacerations from sharp objects or rocks in the water, on ocean jetties, or on the shoreline
- Jet ski accidents
Common Causes of Beach Accidents
Clearwater beach accidents can occur for a myriad of reasons. In some cases, it can be difficult – if not impossible – to determine the ultimate cause of a beach accident. In other cases, a person or entity may bear some or all of the responsibility for the accident. For example, if you can show that an accident happened because a lifeguard was not properly watching the water, then you may be able to make a legal claim for damages. Moreover, if the beach was not properly maintained, the beach owner (e.g., a resort or the city) could be liable for the damages sustained. Some of the most commonly responsible parties in Florida beach accident cases include the following: Private owners who are responsible for beach maintenance- Lifeguards
- Hotels and resorts
- Coastguard
- City, county, or municipality
- Other beach patrons
Pursuing Monetary Recovery
In a Florida beach accident case, you may be able to make a claim directly against the at-fault party. In order to do so, you must ordinarily be able to show that the other party was negligent. In the beach accident context, you must demonstrate that the other party owed you a duty of care and that the other party violated that duty of care. For example, in the negligent lifeguard context, you would need to show that the lifeguard owed a duty of care to properly watch the water and make every effort to prevent beach accidents from occurring. If you or one of your witnesses can demonstrate that the lifeguard was not paying attention to the water while on duty, then you may have a valid cause of action. The same might be true if another person caused your injury while the lifeguard was not paying attention to the beach or the water. In addition to proving fault on someone else's part, you must be able to show that you or a loved one sustained injuries and damages as a direct result of the beach accident. If your loved one died as a result of the at-fault party's negligence, you might be able to open an estate on behalf of the decedent and pursue monetary damages under a wrongful death claim. The estate may then be able to recover those damages. In a beach accident case, you may be eligible to recover monetary compensation for some or all of the following:- Medical bills
- Physical therapy bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Talk to a Clearwater, Florida Beach Accident Lawyer Today
Beach accident cases can be difficult to prove because they are often dependent upon witness testimony. Witnesses can be challenging to track down because people are not always paying careful attention to their immediate surroundings while at the beach. If you or a loved one has sustained injuries as a result of a beach hazard, time may be of the essence in your case. Therefore, you should not delay in seeking legal representation. The Clearwater beach accident lawyers at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA understand the difficulties associated with proving beach accident cases. Our skilled legal team may be able to help you assemble the necessary evidence to prove fault and damages in your case. To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation with a Florida beach accident lawyer, please call us today at (727) 451-6900, or contact us online. Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA 800 North Belcher Road Clearwater, FL 33765 (727) 451-6900 Clearwater Personal Injury Attorney