With the abundance of beautiful lakes and rivers in rural Texas, along with 367 miles of coastline, getting out on the water on a Jet Ski can be a fun pastime. However, as enjoyable as skimming over cool water is on a hot day, fast moving jet skis can also be dangerous. According to U.S. Coast Guard data for 2017, there were 4,291 recreational boating accidents nationwide that resulted in 658 deaths and 2,629 injuries. Of these, personal watercraft—otherwise known as jet skis—were the second most common type of vessel involved in reported accidents.

In a crash, jet ski riders face serious injuries. As is true of auto accidents, broken bones, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other severe injuries aren't uncommon. Fatal accidents can also occur, including drownings. Injuries in a Jet Ski Accident can lead to a pile of medical bills and lost time at work, or worse, loss of a loved one and potential provider. It can be important to understand what recourse you may have if you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a jet ski accident. If you were a driver or passenger on a jet ski, or on another watercraft that was involved in an accident with a jet ski, and can prove that another person or entity caused your injuries through their negligence, you may be able to potentially recover compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Future medical care
• Future lost income.

If a loved one was killed in the crash, you may be able to recover funeral and burial expenses, loss of their income if they were a provider, loss of companionship, and more.

An attorney who is experienced in handling jet ski accidents can be an important resource in answering questions about a potential legal claim.

Determining Who Was at Fault

The most common causes of recreational boating accidents, which include jet ski accidents, are operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, machinery failure, and alcohol use. Depending upon the specific circumstances of a crash, fault for accidents may lie with:

• Jet ski operators or boat operators. Operator error is the most common cause of jet ski accidents. Liability for an accident may lie with the jet ski driver themselves or with the driver of a boat or other watercraft who may have driven recklessly.
• Jet ski rental companies. Rental companies have a responsibility to properly maintain their equipment. If it can be proven that an accident occurred because a jet ski was improperly maintained, the rental company might be at fault.
• Jet ski manufacturers. Just as cars have parts or equipment failures and automakers are held responsible, the same is true for jet skis manufacturers. If an accident happens because a part is defective or a jet ski or other equipment is poorly designed, the manufacturer might be found negligent.

What to Do Following an Accident 

If you’ve been in a jet ski accident, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Of course, if you are seriously injured, emergency personnel will transport you for medical treatment. However, even if you don’t feel you were injured, it’s important to be checked out by a doctor because sometimes injuries don’t show up immediately. Having a doctor’s report will also be valuable evidence when bringing a personal injury lawsuit.

Try to get statements from any witnesses to the accident. If it isn’t possible to get statements right at the accident scene, ask for contact information and follow up on getting statements as soon as possible. If there are any other reports taken by law enforcement or other emergency responders, try to get copies of those reports.

Also, write down in detail what you remember about the accident. Do it as soon as possible, because memory can fade over time.

Consult a Jet Ski Accident Attorney

Finally, consult with a personal injury attorney in your state, or the state where the accident occurred, who is experienced in handling jet ski accident claims. An attorney can advise you of your rights and help you potentially get compensation for your injuries.