Mausner Graham Injury Law Jet Ski Accident Lawyer

Jet Ski Accident Lawyer

Jet Ski Accidents

Visitors and locals often take advantage of Florida’s warm weather and waters to enjoy the thrill of water sports such as boating and jet skiing. Thousands of jet ski enthusiasts enjoy these pastimes safely, year after year. However, there is always the risk of serious and even fatal injuries to both operators and passengers. In fact, jet ski accidents are alarmingly frequent. When these unpleasant situations arise, it is essential to have an attorney who specializes in jet ski accidents.

Florida Jet Ski Accident Laws and Statistics
The main causes of jet ski or personal watercraft accidents are as follows
Types of jet ski accident injuries
Steps to take after a jet ski or watercraft accident in Florida
Compensation for jet ski injuries
Advantages of hiring a Jet Ski Accident Attorney
Frequently asked questions about jet ski accidents
Florida Personal Watercraft Accident Laws and Statistics

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As a popular destination for water sports enthusiasts for much of the year, Florida sees more jet ski and boating accidents than any other state. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, 750 jet ski accidents occur in the Sunshine State each year, with between 60 and 70 fatalities. About half of the accidents are collisions, and about one-third of the cases are due to machine failure and recklessness. The No. 1 cause of fatal boating accidents in Florida is falls overboard. Of the watercraft involved in accidents, slightly more than half are rented and slightly less than half are borrowed, indicating that very few of these watercraft are owned by the people currently riding them. Miami-Dade ranks second among the counties with the most jet ski accidents, between Monroe County and Pinellas and Palm Beach.

As far as the law is concerned, several regulations have been applied to jet skiing in Florida. Some of the most important ones to remember are:
Every person driving, riding or being towed by a watercraft must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
From half an hour after sunset until half an hour before sunrise, the use of jet skis or similar personal watercraft is not permitted.
Children under 14 years of age are not allowed to drive jet skis in Florida.

It is an infraction to drive a watercraft under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.

The Main Causes of Jet Ski or Personal Watercraft Accidents Are As Follows

There are three main causes of jet ski accidents. Unfortunately, the most common is reckless or careless driving. It is all too common for jet ski drivers to drive at excessive speeds, which can very easily lead to accidents. Other examples of unsafe jet ski riding include getting airborne when crossing the wake of another vehicle and attempting to weave in and out of traffic.

Inexperience is the second leading cause of jet ski accidents. It is very easy to rent a jet ski. No prior experience is required, and rentals do not include detailed safety instructions. Inexperienced riders often attempt risky maneuvers. Unfortunately, they end up in accidents all too often.

The third most common cause of jet ski accidents is intoxication. Although it is illegal to drive a jet ski under the influence of alcohol, vacationers tend to take the risk, feeling relaxed and uninhibited. This often leads to serious accidents, just as it does when motorists make the decision to drink and drive.

Types of Jet Ski Accident Injuries

Riding a jet ski is a lot of fun, and because it seems like such a carefree and enjoyable activity, jet ski riders often forget that it is actually very similar to driving a car, risk-wise. Speed and traffic congestion, combined with recklessness, can lead to serious injury and even death. The most common injuries that occur as a result of jet ski collisions are:

Spinal cord injuries
Burns
Lacerations
Broken or fractured bones
Amputations
Whiplash
Cranial trauma

Cautious driving, along with the use of personal flotation devices (PFDs) and helmets, can help you avoid these injuries, or at least reduce their severity.

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Contact us today for a free and confidential review of your case. Our team will help you get the compensation you deserve.

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Steps to Take After a Jet Ski or Watercraft Accident in Florida

The first priority in any accident is to make sure everyone is okay. In jet ski and boating accidents, further injury and even death can occur after the collision due to the risk of drowning. The person who is in better condition and more mobile after the accident should check that others are safe. Waterways with heavy traffic are extremely dangerous, and everyone should be taken out of danger immediately. You should then immediately call for help, either by signaling to passing boats or skiers, or by calling the emergency services if you are able to do so.

Once you are out of danger, and the injuries are being treated, start gathering the information and evidence you need for your insurance claim. These include the following:

Names and contact details of the vessel operators and passengers involved.
Names and contact information of witnesses.
Registration or identification numbers of the vessel involved.
Photos or videos of the damage, if possible.
Photos or videos of the accident site.
Operators’ insurance data.
Medical reports of all injuries

The accident must be reported to both the U.S. Coast Guard and local authorities. Once you have filed a report, you should notify your insurance company and contact a personal watercraft attorney.

Compensation for Jet Ski Injuries

When claiming compensation for an injury sustained on a jet ski, you should seek a fair settlement that takes into account all costs and losses incurred. What constitutes a fair settlement will differ from case to case: the total could amount to thousands or even millions of dollars, depending on the specifics of the accident. Generally speaking, your Florida jet ski accident lawyer would build a case to claim the following damages:

Medical expenses, including doctor’s bills, hospital, medication, therapy and rehabilitation.
Lost wages, as a result of the work you have to miss while recovering from your injuries.
Property damage, if any of the vessels involved in the accident belonged to you.
Pain and suffering: damages related to how the accident has affected your mental health and well-being. This includes mental anguish, emotional trauma, disfigurement, embarrassment and loss of quality of life.

Advantages of Hiring a Jet Ski Accident Attorney

Jet ski accidents are usually more complex than other personal injury incidents, and are often very controversial. Most of the time, insurance companies and operators will blame the motorcyclist for his or her injuries. In cases involving two or more jet skis, the various drivers and operators involved will insist on their own version of events and blame the others. Many defendants will go to great lengths to get the jet ski drivers to accept less compensation than they deserve. By working with a jet ski accident lawyer, you will have the help of a legal professional who fully understands jet ski accidents and their complexities, and who has the ability to unravel conflicting claims, place liability where it belongs, and fight for a fair settlement.

If you have been involved in a jet ski accident, book a consultation with a jet ski accident lawyer at Mausner Graham Injury Law PLLC. We are a boutique law firm located in Miami, FL, and we focus on personal injury, wrongful death, car accidents, boating accidents, medical malpractice and premises liability cases. Please contact us for more information.