Florida’s waterways are among the busiest in the country, and with that comes increased risks. One of the most sudden and serious accidents on the water involves a vessel striking a fixed structure. These accidents are known as allisions. Bridge allisions are more common than most people realize. When a boat hits a bridge, the consequences can range from significant property damage to life-altering injuries for everyone on board. Understanding what causes these accidents, what the law requires, and what your options are can make an enormous difference in protecting your rights after a bridge allision.
Mase Seitz Briggs has been representing seriously injured boating accident victims in Miami and throughout South Florida for over 30 years. Our maritime lawyers have tried hundreds of boating accident cases and recovered millions for injury survivors and their families. If you or someone you know was hurt when a boat struck a bridge, or any other fixed object or structure, call us today at (305) 377-3770 for a free consultation.
Understanding Boats and Bridge Accidents in Florida
Florida has thousands of miles of navigable waterways, canals, inlets, and coastal passages, many of which pass beneath fixed or drawbridge structures. The combination of high recreational boating traffic, varying tidal conditions, and inconsistent operator experience creates a real risk of vessel-to-bridge contact. These accidents are rarely minor. A boat traveling at high-speed that strikes a bridge piling, support beam, or the underside of a span can cause catastrophic structural damage to the vessel and serious injury to passengers and crew. In some cases, bridge infrastructure can also be damaged, which can trigger additional legal exposure for the vessel operator.
Several bridges in and around Miami are particularly known for posing clearance challenges to boaters:
- The Venetian Causeway bridges crossing Biscayne Bay are among the most restricted on the entire Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. The Venetian Causeway Bridge (West) has a closed vertical clearance of just 12 feet, while the Venetian Causeway Bridge (East) has a closed vertical clearance of only 5 feet. Both are drawbridges that must be opened for most vessels, and a failure to request an opening in time can result in a direct strike.
- The Broad Causeway Bridge in North Biscayne Bay is the first of five restricted Miami spans, with a closed vertical clearance of just 16 feet.
- The West 79th Street Bridge carries a closed vertical clearance of 21 feet, which can become a problem for taller vessels during high tide or elevated water conditions.
- The Julia Tuttle Causeway in Miami is a notable exception among fixed ICW bridges. While most fixed bridges on the Florida Atlantic ICW clear 65 feet, the Julia Tuttle Causeway Bridge in Miami sits at just 56 feet, making it a concern for larger vessels.
The primary causal factor identified was the lack of accurate air draft data being made available to the responsible captain or seaman. Air draft refers to the distance from the waterline to the highest point on the vessel, and misjudging it, especially when tidal fluctuations reduce bridge clearance, is one of the most common reasons boats collide with bridges in South Florida.
Common Causes of Bridge Strikes
Most bridge strikes are preventable. They typically result from operator error, equipment failure, or poor conditions that were not properly accounted for before getting underway. Common causes include:
- Vessel or bridge operator inattention or distraction
- Alcohol or drug impairment
- Failure to check or correctly interpret bridge clearance charts
- Misjudging tidal height changes that reduce available clearance
- Mechanical failure of a drawbridge or bascule bridge that does not open in time
- Excessive vessel speed in restricted or congested waterways
- Inadequate knowledge of the vessel’s air draft (height above the waterline)
- Poor visibility due to weather, fog, or nighttime conditions
Height Limits and Clearance Requirements for Boats
Every fixed bridge in Florida has a posted vertical clearance, which reflects the distance between the water’s surface at mean high water and the lowest point of the bridge structure. That clearance is not constant. Tidal fluctuations, storm surge, and heavy rainfall can all reduce the available space beneath a bridge, sometimes significantly. Boat operators are responsible for knowing their vessel’s air draft and verifying that it is compatible with the bridges along their planned route.
What to Do If Your Boat Hits a Bridge
The moments immediately following a bridge strike are critical. Taking the right steps can protect your safety, preserve your legal rights, and ensure compliance with Florida law. If your boat hits a bridge, you should:
- Check all passengers and crew for injuries and contact the U.S. Coast Guard or dial 911 if anyone is hurt.
- Notify the bridge operator.
- Do not leave the scene.
- Document the damage to your vessel and the bridge with videos or photographs if it is safe to do so.
- Collect contact and insurance information from any other operators involved or any witnesses.
- Preserve any navigation equipment, logs, or electronic records from the vessel.
- Contact a Miami maritime accident lawyer before providing statements to insurers or investigators.
Common Injuries from Boat-Bridge Allisions
The forces involved in a vessel striking a fixed structure can be violent and sudden. Passengers who are standing, seated near the bow, or not holding on may have little to no warning before impact. Common injuries in boat-bridge collisions include:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Neck and spinal cord injuries
- Fractures, particularly to the arms, wrists, and collarbone, from impact or bracing
- Lacerations from broken glass, fiberglass, or structural debris
- Soft tissue injuries to the back, neck, and shoulders
- Drowning or near-drowning if passengers are thrown overboard
- Internal injuries from blunt force trauma
- Possible death
Some injuries are not immediately apparent. Symptoms of concussion or internal bleeding may not present until hours after the accident. Anyone involved in a bridge allision should seek medical evaluation promptly, even if you feel fine at the moment.
Who May Be Liable in a Bridge Strike?
- The vessel operator
- The vessel owner
- A charter company or boat rental operator
- A bridge authority or government entity
- A boat manufacturer
Why Experience in Maritime and Boat Accident Law Matters
Not every personal injury firm is equipped to handle maritime cases. Accidents on navigable waters follow specialized legal obligations, and choosing a lawyer without a background in maritime law and personal injury can leave money on the table or derail a valid claim entirely.
The attorneys at Mase Seitz Briggs have handled admiralty and maritime cases since our firm was founded in 1997.
If you were injured when your boat hit a bridge, or if you lost a family member in a maritime incident, reach out to our Miami personal injury and maritime lawyers. Contact us today at (305) 377-3770 to schedule your free, confidential consultation. There is no fee unless we secure compensation for you.
