Boat Accident Lawyers in Boca Raton

Whether you were enjoying a weekend at Lake Boca or navigating the Boca Raton Inlet, a day on the water can turn tragic in seconds. With over one million registered vessels in Florida, the risk of a collision is higher than ever. If you have been injured due to another operator’s negligence, a Boca Raton boat accident lawyer at Kogan & DiSalvo is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.

If you or a loved one has experienced a boating accident, seek the help of a Boca Raton boat accident lawyer with the experience necessary to fight for you. A skilled injury attorney from Kogan & DiSalvo can help you fight for compensation.

Boat Safety Regulations in Florida

State and local laws regulate the operation of a boat just as they regulate the operation of an automobile. Chapter 327 of the Florida Statutes, titled “Vessel Safety,” contains Florida’s many boating laws, from accident procedures to regulation of boating equipment. Before operating a boat in Florida, it is important to be familiar with and obedient to these rules. If a boater violates these laws, this can be proof of negligence or recklessness.

A boater might be negligent or reckless in similar ways that a driver might. A negligent or reckless boater might drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fail to keep boat equipment in safe working order, or speed. Distracted driving is also a common cause of a boating accident.

When a boating accident occurs, medical attention should be sought immediately, and as soon as possible, it is advisable to contact an attorney. Boating injuries can result in catastrophic injuries and have financial burdens. A Boca Raton boat accident attorney can help someone who has been injured in a boating accident understand both immediate and long-term steps to take after an accident.

Critical Updates to Florida Boating Laws (2024–2026)

Adding these specific legal changes will signal to Google that your content is fresh and highly relevant.

• The Boater Freedom Act (Effective July 1, 2025): This is a massive shift in Florida maritime law. Law enforcement (like the FWC or Boca Raton Marine Patrol) now requires probable cause to stop and board a vessel. They can no longer conduct “random” safety inspections unless they observe a violation (like speeding or reckless operation).
• The 2-Year Statute of Limitations: Due to HB 837 (passed in 2023 but now fully in effect for all 2024–2026 claims), the deadline to file a negligence-based boat accident lawsuit has been slashed from four years to two years. This creates a “Sense of Urgency” for your call-to-action.
• New Livery (Rental) Regulations: As of 2024, boat rental companies (liveries) in Florida must follow much stricter insurance and safety instruction rules. If a client was injured on a rental, a boating accident lawyer can now hold the rental company more accountable if they failed to provide the newly mandated pre-ride safety demonstrations.
• HB 289 (Increased Penalties): Florida has dramatically increased penalties for “Hit and Run” boating accidents and BUI (Boating Under the Influence) manslaughter, now carrying a 4-year mandatory minimum prison sentence.

Filing a Personal Injury Case

An attorney can begin advising their client right away after an accident has occurred. When someone meets with an attorney for the first time, it is important to bring as much potential evidence to the meeting as possible. Potential evidence could include:

• Photographs of the accident scene
• Photographs of the boats involved in the accident
• Police reports
• Medical reports
• Witness contact information
• An account of how the accident occurred

If someone is lacking any of this information and does not know how to obtain police reports or medical reports, it is especially important to meet with an attorney. An experienced boat accident attorney in Boca Raton may obtain a variety of evidence necessary for making a case with the insurance company and with the court.

Why You Need a Boating Accident Lawyer Immediately

In Florida, the clock is ticking faster than it used to. Following recent tort reform, you now only have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim. Waiting even a few months can jeopardize your ability to recover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Our Boca Raton boat accident attorney team understands the unique complexities of maritime law, including:

• BUI (Boating Under the Influence): Holding reckless operators accountable under Florida’s strict new 2025 penalties.
• Livery Negligence: Investigating whether a rental company failed to provide mandated 2024 safety training.
• Equipment Failure: Pursuing product liability claims against manufacturers for defective steering or engine components.

Common Causes of Boating Accidents in Boca Raton

Boca Raton’s waterways are some of the busiest in the state. We frequently represent clients in cases involving:

• Speeding in No-Wake Zones: Especially common in the Intracoastal Waterway.
• Inexperienced Operators: Florida law now requires boater safety education for anyone born after 1988, yet many operators remain untrained.
• Overcrowding at the Sandbars: High-traffic areas like Lake Boca lead to frequent “propeller strike” injuries and vessel collisions.

Process of a Boat Accident Claim

After they are hired by a client, Boca Raton boat accident attorneys will file paperwork with relevant insurance providers establishing that a claim is being opened. The attorney will continue to have contact with the insurance providers, updating them about the client’s treatment.

As evidence (such as photographs, medical records, and police records), becomes available the attorney will analyze what evidence should be provided to the insurance company to make the best case. If an agreeable settlement cannot be reached with the insurance company, the attorney will file a lawsuit

Consult a Skilled Boca Raton Boat Accident Attorney Today

Don’t let an insurance company tell you that “accidents happen” on the water. Most boating injuries are preventable results of negligence. Contact a boating accident lawyer at Kogan & DiSalvo today for a free consultation. We know the local waters, we know the new 2026 laws, and we know how to get results for our neighbors in Boca Raton.

If you or a loved one has experienced a damaging boating accident, reach out to a knowledgeable Boca Raton boat accident attorney from Kogan & DiSalvo for help.