Jet Ski Accidents: What You Need To Know

The beautiful South Florida weather means you can enjoy outdoor activities like going to the beach, boating, water skiing, tubing, and jet skiing year-round. While no one plans on having a jet ski accident or getting injured, with thousands of people flocking to the South Florida waters on a regular basis, unfortunately, accidents do happen.

In this article, we discuss the legal implications of jet ski accidents and injuries, including what you should do if you’ve been involved in a jet ski accident. If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact us today.

Boat & Jet Ski Accident Injuries

When the waters get crowded with boaters, it increases the chances of accidents occurring, especially when people have been drinking. We all love to enjoy the sun while having a few cold drinks, but being on the water requires attention, care, and caution. Anyone operating a boat or a jet ski has a legal responsibility to be sober and attentive, but unfortunately, we often see that this isn’t the case.

Some of the most common causes of boat and jet ski accidents in South Florida include:

• Inexperienced drivers
• Driving while intoxicated
• Distracted drivers
• Trying to navigate through very crowded areas
• Mechanical errors and malfunctions
• Driving recklessly

We have handled many personal injury claims resulting from jet ski accidents, and unfortunately, the injuries sustained after a jet ski collision can be very serious: broken bones, head injuries, concussions, fractures, sprains, neck and spine injuries, and even wrongful death.

Jet Ski Collisions

Colliding with another jet ski rider can result in serious injuries and trauma. We recommend taking the following steps to help reduce your chances of being involved in a jet ski collision:

• Never ride a jet ski when you’ve been drinking
• Always wear a life jacket
• Don’t ride through very crowded areas
• Don’t operate a jet ski unless you’re confident in your abilities
• Always attach the engine cut-off switch to your arm or your life jacket

If you’ve been involved in a jet ski collision and have sustained injuries as a result of someone else’s negligence, please speak with a personal injury lawyer today who can help you file a claim. You deserve to be compensated for your injuries and any other damage incurred.

Collisions With Wakes, Waves, and Submerged Objects

People on jet skis can also collide with wakes, waves, and submerged objects, all of which can result in serious injuries. If a boat is driving over the speed limit and creates a large wake that knocks you off your jet ski, the driver of the boat may be legally responsible for any injuries you sustain.

One thing people don’t often consider when jet skiing is colliding with submerged objects, especially in shallow waters. Things like buoys, crab traps, old pilings or large pieces of a dock, and shipping containers can be easily disguised just beneath the surface of the water, and if you’re going relatively fast on your jet ski and collide with a submerged object, it can result in injuries to you and damage to your jet ski.

If you’ve been involved in a jet ski accident and need legal advice about what to do next, or if you have any questions, please contact the team at Mausner Graham Injury Law PLLC today. We look forward to hearing from you.