If you were injured in a boating or maritime-related accident in Destin, Florida, you may be entitled to compensation for your financial losses as well as your pain and suffering. Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers can help you maximize the value of your claim while you focus on your recovery.
Our Destin maritime accident lawyers have 60 years of combined experience and have won millions of dollars for our deserving clients. We’re ready to get to work on your case as soon as you are. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal rights and options at (850) 790-0243.
How Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Maritime Accident in Destin
At Brannon & Brannon, we’ve been fighting for injured Floridians for decades. One of our founding Destin personal injury lawyers is a former insurance defense lawyer, so he knows how the other side thinks.
When you work with a Destin maritime accident attorney from our firm, here’s what we can do:
- Investigate what happened and gather key evidence
- Identify who’s legally responsible for your injuries
- Handle negotiations with insurance companies or opposing attorneys
- Help you access the right medical care and document your injuries
- Take your case to trial if a fair settlement isn’t offered
We understand how complex these cases can be, and we’ll be with you at every step. Contact us today in Destin, FL, to set up a completely free initial consultation.
How Common Are Destin Maritime Accidents?
With the Gulf of Mexico on one side and Choctawhatchee Bay on the other, Destin sees a lot of water activity, both commercial and recreational. From fishing charters to jet skis, the waters around Destin are always busy, especially during tourist season.
And while most trips go smoothly, accidents do happen. Boating crashes, slips and falls on docks, and incidents involving commercial vessels are not uncommon. The U.S. Coast Guard reports thousands of maritime accidents nationwide each year, and many involve negligence, inexperience, or unsafe conditions.
What Causes Most Destin Maritime Accidents?
Every maritime accident has its own story, but many share similar causes. In Destin, we often see:
- Operator inexperience, especially with tourists renting boats or jet skis
- Boating under the influence, which is illegal and extremely dangerous
- Speeding, especially in busy or no-wake zones
- Equipment failure, often due to poor maintenance
- Slippery or unsafe conditions on commercial docks or fishing boats
- Inadequate crew training on commercial vessels or charter boats
The mix of tourism, high traffic, and weather conditions in Destin makes these accidents more likely. If someone else’s mistake caused your injury, we can help you seek compensation.
Common Injuries Caused by Maritime Accidents in Destin
Maritime injuries can be incredibly serious, especially when they involve water, heavy machinery, or limited access to medical help. Some of the most common include:
- Broken bones, often from slips or falls on wet surfaces
- Head and brain injuries, especially in falls or when thrown from a vessel
- Drowning or near-drowning, which can lead to long-term complications
- Spinal cord injuries from collisions or severe impact
- Wrongful death of a loved one, tragically common in high-impact boating crashes
These accidents can take a physical, emotional, and financial toll. You don’t have to face it alone.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Maritime Accident Victims?
In personal injury law, “damages” are the money you may be able to recover to make up for what you’ve lost. In maritime accidents, these can vary depending on the type of claim and where it happened.
Generally speaking, however, you can recover economic damages to cover out-of-pocket costs and losses like medical expenses and lost income. You can also get non-economic damages, which address things like pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and more.
If the person or company responsible acted recklessly or intentionally—for example, operating a boat while drunk—you may be able to seek punitive damages. These are meant to punish bad behavior and help prevent it from happening again
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Maritime Accident in Florida?
Florida law generally gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit for most maritime accidents. This legal time limit is called the statute of limitations. Once that time runs out, you may not be able to recover any compensation, even if your injuries are serious.
However, it’s important to note that some maritime claims (like those under federal maritime law or the Jones Act) may have different deadlines or legal requirements. That’s why it’s so important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. Waiting too long can seriously hurt your chances of recovery.
Contact Our Destin Maritime Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
Whether you were injured on a fishing boat, personal watercraft, or while working on a vessel, Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers is here for you. Our Destin maritime accident attorneys have the experience, resources, and local knowledge to help you understand your rights and fight for what you’re owed.
Call today for a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay attorney’s fees if we successfully handle your claim.
