Fort Lauderdale is defined by its water. The city’s iconic canals, the Intracoastal Waterway, Port Everglades, the New River, and the nearby Atlantic make boating and jet skiing central to life here. That access also makes Fort Lauderdale one of the busiest boating corridors in the country — and Broward County’s waterways see a disproportionate share of Florida’s serious boating accidents and fatalities each year. When a preventable crash injures you or someone you love, Baker Legal Team is ready to stand with your family and pursue the full accountability the law provides.
Call 561-489-2909 or contact us online for a free same-day consultation. Available 24/7. English and Spanish.
Fort Lauderdale Boating Accident Statistics
Florida leads the nation in registered vessels — and in reported boating accidents. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s 2024 Boating Accident Statistical Report, Florida recorded 685 reported boating accidents resulting in 81 fatalities statewide. Broward County waterways, including Fort Lauderdale’s canals and the Intracoastal, are among the most active in the state. Local reporting confirmed at least one fatal personal watercraft crash in the Fort Lauderdale area in the same period, resulting in one death and one severe injury.
The Coast Guard consistently identifies the leading causes of these accidents as operator inattention, inexperience, improper lookout, and excessive speed — all forms of preventable negligence. Two data points stand out:
- 87% of drowning victims in boating accidents were not wearing a life jacket, underscoring how rental operators’ failures to provide and require flotation devices can be decisive in a wrongful death claim.
- Boating under the influence (BUI) is the leading known cause of fatal boating accidents nationwide — a factor that can support punitive damages in addition to compensatory recovery.
Behind every statistic is a personal story. Our firm is committed to standing with the families those numbers represent.
Common Causes of Boating and Jet Ski Accidents in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale’s waterway network — from the crowded channels near popular sandbars and waterfront restaurants to the busy stretches around Port Everglades and along the New River — creates conditions where operator errors and rental company failures have serious consequences. When we evaluate a case, we reconstruct exactly what happened and why.
Causes we commonly identify include:
- Failure to maintain a proper lookout in congested Intracoastal channels
- Excessive speed near Fort Lauderdale Beach sandbars, inlets, and docking areas
- Rental operators sending inexperienced riders out on powerful jet skis without adequate instruction or size-matching
- Allowing operation in poor weather or low-visibility conditions
- Vessels without required safety gear (life jackets, flares, fire extinguishers)
- Defective steering or braking systems, or vessels modified in ways that make them harder to control
- Boating under the influence — a major factor in Broward County nighttime incidents
- Collisions between vessels of very different sizes near Port Everglades commercial shipping traffic
We review Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports, examine damage to all vessels, and consult marine safety professionals when appropriate. This allows us to identify whether an individual operator, a rental or tour company, a boat owner, or a product manufacturer failed their obligations under Florida law. See our main boating accidents practice area for an overview of how these claims work statewide.
Compensation Available in Fort Lauderdale Boating and Jet Ski Accident Claims
The aftermath of a serious boating accident can be financially destabilizing on top of physically and emotionally devastating. A successful claim addresses those compounded losses. We pursue recovery for:
- Medical expenses — emergency transport, hospital care, surgeries, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and projected long-term treatment at Broward Health facilities and beyond
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity — when injuries temporarily or permanently interfere with your ability to work
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress — the physical and psychological toll of the accident and its aftermath
- Wrongful death damages — funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship when an accident is fatal
- Property damage — damage to your vessel or personal effects
We also handle related water injury claims including drowning accidents and swimming pool accidents in Broward County.
What to Do After a Boating or Jet Ski Accident in Fort Lauderdale
The steps you take immediately after a water accident protect both your safety and your legal options:
- Get everyone to safety and call 911 for medical assistance — even injuries that seem minor can mask concussions, internal trauma, or near-drowning effects.
- Report the incident to proper authorities. Florida law requires boating accidents involving injury requiring medical care, death, disappearance, or property damage of $2,000 or more to be reported within 48 hours for injury, death, or disappearance. On Fort Lauderdale’s waterways, that may include the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Broward Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, or the U.S. Coast Guard depending on location.
- Use nearby landmarks — bridges, inlets, marinas — to establish where the crash occurred. The New River bridges, the 17th Street Causeway, and Port Everglades channel markers are useful reference points.
- Collect names, contact details, and registration or rental numbers for all vessels and operators involved.
- Photograph vessels, visible injuries, and water conditions without arguing about fault on the scene.
- Do not sign paperwork or give recorded statements to insurance companies before consulting an attorney.
- Contact our team — we are available around the clock at 561-489-2909.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have a case if I signed a waiver for a Fort Lauderdale boat or jet ski rental?
Signing a waiver does not automatically prevent you from pursuing a claim. Rental waivers are often written broadly, but Florida courts generally do not allow waivers to excuse gross negligence, statutory violations, or the use of unsafe equipment. The specific language of the document, how it was presented, and the circumstances of the incident all matter. We review waivers as part of every case evaluation — do not assume a waiver has eliminated your rights before speaking with us.
How long do I have to file a boating accident claim in Florida?
Most boating accident claims are subject to Florida’s general personal injury time limits, but the exact deadline depends on the type of claim, the parties involved, and whether federal maritime law applies to offshore incidents. Missing a deadline can bar your claim entirely. Contact us promptly after an accident so we can evaluate the specific timing that applies to your situation.
Can I recover damages if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Yes — Florida applies comparative fault principles, meaning your recovery is reduced in proportion to your share of responsibility, but you are not barred from recovering if another party was also negligent. A thorough investigation often reveals that rental companies, boat operators, or vessel owners bear significant responsibility. Do not assume you have no case before having the facts reviewed.
Why Trust Baker Legal Team With Your Fort Lauderdale Watercraft Case
Baker Legal Team brings a targeted, methodical approach to every Fort Lauderdale boating and jet ski case. We begin with a comprehensive investigation — gathering evidence, documenting facts, and constructing a clear account of what happened. We then provide you with an honest assessment of your legal position, outline a structured strategy, and manage all communications with insurers and opposing counsel throughout the process. You receive regular updates and direct attorney access while you focus on recovering.
Lead attorney Robert Baker is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer who has recovered over $400 million for clients, is undefeated in personal watercraft litigation, and has been the lead trial attorney in over 50 watercraft cases. We have the credentials, the courtroom track record, and the local knowledge of Broward County’s waterways to give your family the strongest possible representation.
Visit our Fort Lauderdale service area page for more on how we serve clients throughout Broward County. To speak with a Fort Lauderdale boating and jet ski accident lawyer, call 561-489-2909 or contact us online. Hablamos español.