Jet skis are immensely popular in Florida, attracting residents and tourists alike to enjoy our sunny shores and numerous waterways. While these personal watercraft offer fun and excitement, jet ski accidents can occur, often resulting in serious injuries to those involved.
Victims can pursue compensation if a jet ski or boat operator’s negligent actions cause injuries. This financial support helps pay for medical bills and damages like lost wages or pain and suffering.
A Miami boating accident lawyer at Aigen Injury Law can explain your rights and help you pursue a fair settlement to help pay for your injuries and damages after a jet ski collision.
How Jet Ski Accidents Happen
There are several reasons for jet ski accidents in Florida. Common accidents include collisions, capsizing, and operating under the influence:
- Collisions: Jet skis can collide with other watercraft, stationary objects, or swimmers. These collisions are often due to the operator’s inexperience, reckless driving, or failure to adhere to boating rules.
- Struck by a Boat’s Wake: Large wakes created by boats can cause the jet ski operator to lose control, leading to accidents. Passengers may be thrown overboard, or the jet ski may overturn.
- Falling Off the Jet Ski: High speeds, sharp turns, or rough waters may throw passengers or operators off the jet ski. If they aren’t wearing a life jacket to keep them afloat, this can lead to tragic drowning incidents. Likewise, if the operator isn’t wearing the kill switch when they fall off, the jet ski may keep going without them and may strike someone or another vessel in the water.
- Mechanical Failures: Malfunctions in the jet ski’s machinery, such as engine failure or steering issues, can cause the rider to lose control and result in accidents or collisions. These failures may be due to poor maintenance or manufacturing defects.
- Intoxication: Similar to driving a car while intoxicated, impaired judgment and slower reaction times can lead to deadly accidents for jet ski riders. Operating a jet ski while under the influence is also illegal, potentially resulting in fines, criminal charges, and fault in civil claims.
Injuries in Jet Ski Accidents
Jet ski riders and passengers can suffer serious injuries when a collision occurs. Victims may experience a lasting impact on their health and well-being and incur costly medical bills due to the following:
- Head Injuries: Victims can suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) if their head strikes the jet ski, another object, or the water’s surface with force. These injuries can have a long-lasting impact on cognitive and physical abilities.
- Spinal Injuries: Falls or collisions can cause spinal cord injuries, leading to partial or complete paralysis. Spinal damage can require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and lifestyle modifications.
- Internal Injuries: The impact with the water or the jet stream propelling the jet ski can lead to internal bleeding or organ damage. These injuries might not be immediately noticeable and require prompt medical attention to prevent complications.
- Fractures and Broken Bones: The impact of a collision or fall can easily break bones, especially in the arms, legs, and ribs. These injuries may require surgery and extended recovery periods.
- Drowning: Drowning is a major risk in jet ski accidents, especially if the victim is unconscious or unable to swim. Wearing life jackets can prevent many drowning incidents; in 2023, 87% of those who died in boating accidents across the country were not wearing life jackets.
Who is Liable for Your Injuries?
Florida requires all vessel operators, including those of personal watercraft like jet skis, to exercise a duty of care and operate their watercraft safely. If you suffer injuries in a crash due to someone else’s negligence, you can seek compensation from the responsible party. Depending on the incident’s circumstances, liable parties may include:
| Liable Party | Circumstances of Liability |
| Jet Ski Operator | Causes an accident by reckless behavior such as speeding in congested areas, ignoring navigation rules, or operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. |
| Jet Ski Owner | Fails to maintain the jet ski in safe working condition, leading to mechanical malfunctions such as engine breakdown or steering issues during operation. |
| Manufacturer | Produces a jet ski with a design defect, such as faulty throttle controls or unstable hull design, which leads to an accident. |
| Rental Company | Rents out a jet ski without ensuring it is in proper working order or fails to provide the renter with legally required safety instructions and equipment. |
How to Pursue Compensation After a Jet Ski Collision
If you’ve been hurt in a jet ski accident, take these steps to protect your rights and seek compensation:
- Seek Medical Attention: Get a thorough medical evaluation to document your injuries and begin treatment. A visit to the doctor can create medical records for your claim and address hidden injuries like TBIs.
- Gather Evidence: If possible, take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and damage to the jet ski or other involved vessels. Collect witness statements from bystanders or other vessel operators who saw the accident.
- Report the Accident: File an accident report with the Coast Guard (USCG) or Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) by calling 1-888-404-3922 or filling out the Florida Boating Accident Self Report If anyone dies in the accident, you must report it within 24 hours, and if there were serious injuries or deaths, within 48 hours.
- Understand Relevant Laws: In Florida, you generally have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. Florida follows a comparative fault system. If your actions contributed to the accident, your percentage of fault reduces your compensation. You may be ineligible to recover damages if you are more than 51% at fault.
- Contact a Miami Boating Accident Lawyer: The experienced attorneys at Aigen Injury Law can advise you on your legal options, investigate the cause of the accident, identify potentially liable parties, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
Secure Your Future After a Jet Ski Accident
Jet ski accidents can be life-changing, but you can seek financial support to help with your recovery. At Aigen Injury Law, our Miami boating accident attorneys will protect your rights and fight to maximize your compensation.
With extensive experience in Florida’s maritime laws and a proven track record of successful settlements, we have the skills to secure fair compensation for you. Contact us today for a free consultation where we can review your case and discuss your legal options for compensation.