Boating Accident Lawyers in Melbourne, FL
Why Boating Accident Victims Choose Douglas R. Beam P.A.
When you’re facing the aftermath of a boating accident in Florida, you want a team who knows both the law and the waterways. Douglas R. Beam, P.A. is a locally rooted, nationally recognized personal injury firm. Led by accomplished trial lawyers with four decades of success in boating accident case results and boating injury accidents, our firm has recovered over $1 billion for clients. We use a client-first approach built on trust, experience, and community commitment. See how Melbourne families rate our compassionate support and courtroom results. See our client testimonials and real results.
Why Boating Accident Victims Choose Douglas R. Beam P.A.
When you’re facing the aftermath of a boating accident in Florida, you want a team who knows both the law and the waterways. Douglas R. Beam, P.A. is a locally rooted, nationally recognized personal injury firm. Led by accomplished trial lawyers with four decades of success in boating accident case results and boating injury accidents, our firm has recovered over $1 billion for clients. We use a client-first approach built on trust, experience, and community commitment. See how Melbourne families rate our compassionate support and courtroom results. See our client testimonials and real results.
Proven Track Record
In car accident and personal injury recoveries
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★★★★★ on Google
Clients praise our fast responses and results
Results Do The Talking
Real trust comes from seeing what we’ve done for neighbors right here in Melbourne. Over decades, local families have turned to our team after boating accidents, and time and again, they've shared how we helped them feel heard and supported from day one. Clients often mention the relief of finally having someone “on their side,” guiding them through complicated claims processes. Many tell us our knowledge of the Indian River Lagoon and Brevard’s waterways made all the difference when the insurance company pushed back. From full settlements for serious injuries to recovering three times the initial offer, our results speak for themselves. To see more about our boating accident case results and read how real people found peace of mind, see our case testimonials.
"They will fight for you"
Judy’s son broke his back in a motorcycle crash. Our team forced the insurer to reopen coverage and fund his long‑term care.
"Contagious confidence"
After a rear‑end car accident, Ryan and his wife finally felt someone would stand up to the insurance company and explain every step.
"You already feel trust"
Ruth knew we were in her corner from the first call. Our attorneys handled everything while she focused on her family.
"More than another case"
Nikki wanted to be seen as a person, not a file. Our lawyers kept her informed and secured resources for her recovery.
You Share Your Story
Share what happened in your boating accident, however you feel comfortable. Every conversation is free and confidential, by phone or online.
We Deliver a Fast, Free Case Review
We review your situation fast. Our team checks accident reports, photos, and any insurance details, then lets you know the next step to take in your boating injury case
We Get to Work While You Heal
Moving forward, we handle the legal and insurance details for you, which includes: collecting evidence, talking to witnesses, and dealing directly with insurers. You don’t pay a fee unless we win your Melbourne boating accident case.
Big Results. Little Stress.
If you’ve been injured in a boating accident in FL, you deserve a local, proven advocate by your side. At Douglas R. Beam, P.A., our firm is rooted right here in Brevard County, FL. We're led by nationally recognized trial lawyers with decades of experience handling complex boating injury cases on the Indian River Lagoon, Banana River, and Atlantic access points. We treat our clients like neighbors because, in many cases, you are.
Our team combines over 35 years of results-driven trial work with specialized maritime law know-how. We have successfully recovered over $1 billion for injured clients and earned a reputation for achieving results three times higher than initial insurance offers. We know the unique challenges that come with boating crashes in Melbourne: insurance confusion, sudden medical costs, fear about recovery timelines, and anxiety over government reporting rules. We stand ready to shoulder these burdens with you, step by step.
Whether you’re facing denied insurance, blame-shifting, or complex legal questions about boat owner and operator responsibility, you’ll speak directly with an attorney from day one. Our clients appreciate personal attention, transparency, and a “no fee unless we win” promise. You risk nothing to gain an experienced ally to fight for the outcome you and your family deserve.
If you're a FL resident searching for a boating accident lawyer, contact our team for a free consultation today. We are available 24/7, including weekends and after hours, and can meet at your home or hospital by request. Your consultation is confidential, compassionate, and it costs nothing unless we recover for you.
Facing Other Injuries?
Every day our Melbourne legal team helps injured Floridians rebuild after car crashes, falls, and other traumatic events.
One Billion+.
One Case at a Time.
You work directly with our trial team, not a call center. That relationship means we fight harder to maximize your recovery after a Melbourne, FL boating accident—every client, every time.
Meet our founder
Doug Beam has spent more than 40 years fighting for boating accident victims and their families in Melbourne, FL. An accomplished trial lawyer, Doug Beam has taken over 150 jury trials to verdict. He serves as the 2025 President of the National Trial Lawyers. Throughout his career, Doug has helped clients recover more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements, earning a reputation for turning complex cases into life-changing results.
- National Trial Lawyer President 2025
- Florida Super Lawyers Top 100 (10 consecutive years)
- AV Preeminent® rating for legal ability and ethics
Doug’s leadership and hands-on mentorship mean every boating accident client in Melbourne, FL gets the benefit of his tried-and-true courtroom strategies and caring, personal attention from our entire team.
Free Case Review
Tell us about your Melbourne, FL boating accident and find out how much your claim could be worth. It takes less than two minutes and costs nothing.
- Speak directly with a Melbourne, FL boating accident lawyer
- No fee unless we recover compensation
- Available 24/7 – home or hospital visits upon request
Boating Accident Injury FAQs for Melbourne, FL
If you or a loved one suffered a boating accident injury in Melbourne, FL, you’re in the right place. With over 35 years of proven results and national trial recognition, our local team answers your top questions, so you can make informed choices and recover with confidence. Read below for expert guidance.
Watch for headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, or blurred vision after a boating accident. Any worsening symptoms should be treated as an emergency.
- Seek immediate medical care.
- Document all symptoms for your records.
- Review traumatic brain injury information for guidance.
Persistent back pain after a boat crash should always be evaluated by a doctor. Symptoms could indicate a serious injury.
- Schedule a prompt medical exam.
- Don’t self-diagnose or delay care.
- Keep records of all treatments and symptoms for your legal protection.
You may have options for coverage through your insurance or a personal injury claim against the responsible party.
- Seek care and keep all bills and receipts.
- Consult a boating accident lawyer to guide you on compensation and liability.
Yes, you may file a claim even if symptoms appeared days later, but do not delay. Florida’s statute of limitations applies.
- Get a medical evaluation as soon as symptoms arise.
- Contact a boating injury attorney early to preserve your rights.
FAQs About Types of Boating Accident Cases We Handle in Melbourne, FL
From high-speed boat collisions on the Indian River Lagoon to jet ski, charter vessel, and propeller injury accidents off the Melbourne coast, our boating accident attorneys have helped people across the area. With over 35 years representing victims, $1 billion+ recovered, and specialized maritime law expertise spanning all major waterways, we know how to win complex claims, battle tough insurance denials, and guide you through Brevard County’s unique legal hurdles. We know how to win complex claims and battle tough insurance denials. Whether your injury was from a wake, a fall overboard, boating under the influence, or something unusual, we can help. You can find our service types below. Need help right away? Don’t wait, contact our team for a free consultation today.
We recommend acting quickly. Seek immediate medical attention, report the accident to FWC or local law enforcement, and gather witness/contact information. Strict deadlines apply and Florida’s statute of limitations is two years from the accident date. Contact a boat accident lawyer experienced in jet ski passenger claims for best results.
Our firm’s experience with rental and charter boating injuries confirms you may have a claim. Liability often falls on the rental company, charter operator, or another negligent party. Document your injuries and file an incident report. Consult a boating accident attorney familiar with local waterways and charter liability issues to protect your rights
Liability generally rests with the boater who violated navigation rules or acted negligently. Our Melbourne maritime lawyers investigate Coast Guard and FWC reports, weather, and witness accounts. Identifying policy coverage and proving negligence are key to maximizing your recovery for injuries or damage. Evidence gathering immediately after the accident is crucial to your claim.
As recognized boating accident experts, we know wrongful death or near-drowning cases require urgent evaluation. You may pursue claims for negligence against tour operators, vessel owners, or crew if safety protocols failed. Act swiftly. Florida law allows claims within two years of the incident. Secure evidence and consult a boating injury lawyer to discuss potential compensation and justice for your family.
Top FAQs About Boating Accident Claims and Laws in Melbourne, FL
Facing a boating accident on the waters around Melbourne, FL can be confusing and overwhelming, but you’re not alone. These FAQs are shaped by questions from local clients navigating complex laws, challenging insurance claims, and serious injuries after incidents on the Indian River Lagoon, Atlantic, and Intracoastal Waterway. With 35+ years’ experience, leadership recognition, and deep maritime expertise, our attorneys break down Melbourne’s unique jurisdiction, deadlines, and recovery options clearly and compassionately. For immediate, step-by-step support or tailored answers, call us any time or read the following boating accident FAQs for trusted guidance.
After a boating accident near Melbourne, FL, immediately check for injuries and ensure everyone’s safety. If there’s an emergency or injuries, call 911. Move your vessel out of harm’s way if possible, but only if safe. You’re legally required to notify the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) or local authorities if there’s injury, disappearance, death, or significant damage. Exchange information with other involved parties, but do not admit fault. Take photos, collect witness details, and keep damaged equipment. Finally, contact a local maritime accident attorney experienced with Melbourne’s waterways for guidance before giving any written statements. Early action preserves evidence and improves your ability to claim fair compensation, especially since jurisdiction may also involve the U.S. Coast Guard for major incidents.
Florida law requires you to report boating accidents on the Indian River Lagoon if someone is injured, missing, deceased, or if property damage totals $2,000 or more. Even if damage seems minor, estimates can easily exceed this threshold after professional inspection. Failure to report can result in fines or criminal charges. Plus, insurance usually won’t honor claims unless a formal report is filed. The responsible authority is often the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), but for accidents near bridges or major waterways, local law enforcement or the Coast Guard may also need to be notified. Always err on the side of caution and report the incident within 48 hours to avoid losing rights or facing penalties.
Yes, you should seek medical attention immediately if new neck or back pain develops after a boating accident, even if symptoms appear days later. Delayed pain is common with spinal injuries and whiplash. Document your treatment and notify your physician about the accident’s details. You can still start an injury claim, but acting quickly protects your health and strengthens your case. In Florida, you generally have two years from the accident date to file a boating injury claim. Retaining an attorney with specialized maritime expertise ensures that jurisdictional and reporting requirements are met, even days (or weeks) after the incident. Our team works closely with local medical specialists to establish causation and link your symptoms directly to the crash, maximizing your potential recovery.
If your insurer denies your claim, don’t accept their decision without review. Consult a boating accident attorney experienced in Melbourne, FL. Our firm regularly challenges insurance denials and can help negotiate, appeal, or litigate unfair denials to pursue full compensation for your losses.
If the at-fault boater is uninsured, you may be able to recover from your own uninsured/underinsured boater coverage or pursue a personal lawsuit. A maritime law attorney can help identify all avenues of compensation, including third-party claims if negligence was involved.
Yes, under Florida’s modified comparative negligence law, you can still recover damages even if partially at fault. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault, so if you’re 30% responsible, you receive 70% of your total losses.
You must notify law enforcement or the FWC immediately if there is injury, death, disappearance, or $2,000+ in property damage. It’s illegal to leave the scene without providing aid and information. Penalties may include criminal charges and loss of boating privileges.
Legal liability depends on the cause and circumstances. Operators, rental companies, or even third parties may share fault. Rental companies can be responsible if they failed to maintain the vessel or check operator credentials. Always consult an attorney to identify all liable parties.
Yes, emotional trauma such as anxiety, PTSD, or sleep disturbances may be compensable if linked to your boating accident. Document symptoms with a healthcare provider and consult a maritime law attorney to include these damages in your claim.
In Florida, the statute of limitations for boating accident injuries is two years from the accident date. If you miss this deadline, your claim may be barred, but exceptions exist. Contact an attorney immediately, even if you think you waited too long.