What happens in a boating accident in Florida?
Boating crashes are governed by Florida's vessel statutes rather than the traffic code, and by federal navigation rules in some circumstances.
Who investigates. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission generally investigates, sometimes with the Coast Guard or a county marine unit. Their report differs from a traffic crash report in form and content.
Reporting requirements apply for incidents involving injury, death, disappearance, or property damage above a threshold.
No PIP. There's no no-fault coverage for vessel operations. Medical bills fall to health insurance or to a liability claim.
Insurance is not required. Florida doesn't generally mandate boat liability insurance, so an at-fault operator may have nothing.
What determines fault. Navigation rules on right of way, speed, lookout, and operator conduct — including impairment, which is charged as boating under the influence.
Evidence disappears fast. The scene is water. Witnesses are on other vessels and hard to identify later. Get names and vessel registrations at the scene if you can.
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