What Should I Do if I Get Injured in Lake Santa Fe?

Bill Allen | February 18, 2025 | Gainesville Personal Injury Blog

What Should I Do if I Get Injured in Lake Santa Fe?

Located just a short drive from Gainesville, Florida, Lake Santa Fe offers a convenient and scenic getaway for residents of the metro area. While the lake is a great place to relax and enjoy outdoor activities, accidents can happen. Whether you’re boating, swimming, or engaging in other recreational activities, it’s important to stay aware of potential hazards. If you suffer an injury at Lake Santa Fe, understanding your legal options and the steps to take can help protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

What Types of Lake Accidents are the Most Common?

The accidents that are most common at lakes depend on the nature of the lake itself and the activities people enjoy there. These accidents include:

  • Drowning and near-drowning accidents
  • Boating accidents, including collisions, capsizing, and grounding
  • Watercraft malfunctions, such as accidents caused by malfunctioning jet skis 
  • Water sports accidents, such as skiing accidents
  • Diving accidents, especially in shallow water
  • Hooking injuries, which are common among inexperienced fishermen
  • Children’s playground injuries
  • Slip and fall accidents
  • Wildlife encounters

Inclement weather, including sudden storms, generates more than its fair share of accidents.

Steps to Take After a Lake Accident

Take the following measures as soon as possible after a lake accident:

  • Get to shore quickly. If the accident happened in the lake, get everyone involved to shore as quickly as possible so nobody drowns. If someone stranded in the water cannot swim, toss a flotation device to the victim. A trained lifeguard can use the rear rescue approach so that the victim does not panic and drag their rescuer underwater, too.
  • Seek immediate medical attention. You should start with on-site first aid since Lake Santa Fe has no on-site medical facilities. Two nearby hospitals are the UF Health Shands Hospital and the HCA Florida North Florida Hospital. The road network surrounding Lake Santa Fe should allow ambulance access. As long as you act quickly, medical records are your best proof of injury.
  • Report the accident to the nearest authority. This might mean an on-duty lifeguard or a law enforcement officer. Ask them to prepare a written report and request a copy for your records. You might need it for evidence later.
  • Document the scene. Photograph the accident scene, your injuries, and any dangerous conditions that might have caused the accident. 
  • Get contact details from any witnesses. Document this information so that your lawyer can interview them later.
  • Keep a paper trail. Keep all medical records, receipts, and any correspondence relating to the accident. 

This will provide a basis for your lawyer to conduct a pre-lawsuit investigation. If you file a lawsuit, you can gather even more evidence during the pretrial discovery phase.

Property Ownership: Public or Private?

The waters of Lake Santa Fe are all public (government-owned) property. However, the land around the lake is a mix of public and private property. If you entered the park from the Lake Santa Fe Public Boat Ramp, the Little Santa Fe Lake Boat Ramp, or Santa Fe Lake Park, you entered from public property.

If you were injured on public property and you seek to pursue a government tort claim (sue the government), you can only sue for certain types of negligence. Moreover, there are strict legal limits on the amount of damages you can recover.

Before you can file a lawsuit, you must notify the defendant in writing of the details of the accident. None of these restrictions apply if your injuries occurred on private property. However, your options might be limited if you were trespassing at the time of the accident, even accidentally. Talk to a lawyer before you make any decisive moves.

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Get You Compensation for Your Injuries

Your next course of action should be to contact an experienced Florida personal injury lawyer. This is something you need to do as soon as possible, even if you are certain that your insurance will fully cover your injuries. Unless your injuries are trivial, do not settle with the insurance company on your own. Let your lawyer negotiate for you.

Contact Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation

At Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, we proudly serve the Gainesville, Florida, community with a proven track record of success. Our firm has earned prestigious accolades, including membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a perfect 10 Avvo Rating, and an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. With over 100 years of combined experience and hundreds of millions recovered for our clients, we are committed to delivering exceptional legal representation. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Contact Our Gainesville Personal Injury Law Firm at Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers in North Central Florida

If you need legal assistance, contact the Gainesville personal injury lawyers at Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today, we’re open 24 hours daily.

We have three convenient locations in Marion County and Alachua County, North Central Florida:

Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Gainesville Office
2550 SW 76th St #150
Gainesville, FL 32608
(877) 255-3652

Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Downtown Gainesville
621 W University Ave
Gainesville, FL 32601
(866) 928-6292

Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258