Florida Personal Watercraft Accident Injures Cooper City Teen
A teenager from Cooper City was injured in Davie, Florida this past week while riding an inner tube being pulled by his friend's water scooter. According to news reports, the 17 year old was airlifted to Broward General Medical Center for treatment for injuries to his spine, after the inner tube he was riding struck an embankment.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating whether speed or alcohol were factors in this personal watercraft accident, which happened in a canal in the Westridge Community.
Florida Law and Watercraft Safety
A Florida boating accident lawyer with knowledge of federal boating laws as well as state laws regulating watercraft safety may assist families in cases where liability may be a factor in water sports accidents that result in personal injury or fatalities.
Watercraft may include vehicles such as Jet Skis, Sea Doo personal watercraft, and WaveRunners. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission...
- State law requires that persons aged 21 years or younger must complete a boating safety education course or course equivalent approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).
- In Florida, one must be at least 14 years old to operate a watercraft and 18 years old to rent a watercraft.
- Watercraft may not be operated from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, even with navigational lights turned on.
Florida is known around the world as a premier destination for vacationers who come to enjoy our beaches and waterways. Boating and watercraft accidents can and do happen, particularly in peak vacation seasons when so many people are sharing space on the ocean and in waterways. Parasailing accidents also occur in Florida causing personal injury or death.
Florida watercraft accidents can be prevented when operators are properly trained to follow safety precautions and abide by state laws, and if they're aware of the risks of speed, water and weather conditions, and sharing Florida's waters with so many other pleasure boats and watercraft vehicles.
Teen recovering after Davie inner tube accident
SunSentinel.com Aug. 12, 2009
Related Web Resources
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Boating Safety
