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Personal watercraft account for about 14% of all registered vessels in Florida, with many registered right here in Miami and across South Florida. They are involved in roughly 20% of reportable boating accidents. Rented personal watercraft are responsible for 45% of personal watercraft involved in reportable accidents.
While these accidents often occur in foreign countries, courts in the United States may still retain jurisdiction over them. Our lawyers understand how to establish jurisdiction over foreign excursion companies to hold them accountable for their negligence.
If you’ve been injured in a jet ski or personal watercraft accident, contact Mase Seitz Briggs for a free consultation today: (305) 377-3770.
Personal watercraft and jet skis are fun and fast but among the most dangerous watercraft on the water. Personal watercraft have significant power for their small size. It is easy for people to overdo the throttle if they aren’t used to the power. Jet skis are like motorcycles because they lack material to absorb the force of a collision. If you are involved in a crash, your body will be exposed to severe injury.
Read about a seven-figure result for one of our clients injured on a jet ski here.
Jet skis are not the only kind of personal watercraft. Motorized surfboards are quickly gaining popularity. Reaching speeds up to 35 mph, motorized surfboards create significant force but provide little safety support. Motorized surfboards come with a high learning curve. Injuries can arise from inexperience in operating such unique and fast personal watercraft, which, in turn, can present tricky maritime law issues. If you were injured on a motorized surfboard or any personal watercraft in Florida, call an experienced maritime attorney at Mase Seitz Briggs today.
Parties that may be liable for damages include:
Rental companies, also called liveries, rarely give customers sufficient training on how to safely use jet skis. Florida law, however, requires rental companies to give specific warnings and instructions. Even if you think your injury was partially “your fault” or you signed a liability waiver, you may still be compensated for your injury.
While jet skis and personal watercraft (PWC) are fun water activities for most people, the number of accidents is alarming. The City of Miami has begun to crack down on companies that rent jet skis and PWC without the proper licensing. In some cases, a company may be operating an unlicensed charter or livery offering recreational vehicles without adequate safety.
One of the biggest problems plaguing the use of jet ski and personal watercraft is the lack of training when a person rents the device. These water vehicles are designed for speed, but they can cause catastrophic injury or even death. If you were not given safety training prior to the rental of a jet ski or PWC and suffered an injury, you might be entitled to compensation.
In addition to inadequate training, other common causes of jet ski and personal watercraft accidents include:
In 2021, Florida Fish and Wildlife reported that Miami-Dade County ranked first in jet ski and personal watercraft accidents. The most common type of accident was a collision with another vessel, followed by injuries related to a fall on a PWC and collision with a fixed object. Many of these accidents could have been prevented with a sufficiently trained operator.
If you are injured on a personal watercraft or jet ski accident, even if you believe you were partially at fault, you may still be entitled to damages. Contact our firm today for a free consultation.
When a personal watercraft collides with another vessel or stationary object, the driver’s injuries can be catastrophic. Head-on collisions can result in traumatic brain injury or death to the operator or a passenger.
Other common jet ski injuries include:
According to the United States Coast Guard, over half of those injured in personal watercraft accidents are between the ages of 13 and 29. The vast majority of deaths related to personal watercraft and jet ski accidents have a cause other than drowning.
Initially, you may be unsure who is liable for your accident or injury. In some cases, multiple parties may be responsible for negligence or wrongdoing. It is not your job to determine who was at fault, and you should never admit liability without having your case reviewed by an attorney. If the company from which you rented your jet ski failed to give you safety instructions or operated without a license, it may be liable even if you were partially at fault.
Victims of jet ski or personal watercraft accidents may be entitled to compensation under maritime law, which governs accidents on navigable waters. Maritime law can differ from state laws and requires specialized knowledge, making it crucial to consult with an attorney familiar with these specific regulations.
Most personal watercraft injury cases fall under the legal theory of “negligence.” To prove negligence under maritime law, four key elements must be established: duty, breach, causation, and damages. In simple terms, negligence occurs when a party fails to exercise reasonable care, leading to injury.
In successful negligence claims, victims can receive compensation for:
If you were injured while riding on a personal watercraft or jet ski, you should have your case investigated by a skilled attorney. Contact our office today for a free case evaluation at (305) 602-4936 or fill out our online contact form. Don’t just settle, get the recovery you deserve.