Florida Jet Ski Accident Lawyer

Jet skiing is a very popular activity in Florida and across the Treasure Coast. Whether you’re riding on Lake Okeechobee or you’re touring different Treasure Coast beaches, a jet ski ride can offer lots of excitement. But even though it’s a thrilling sport, any kind of accident on a personal watercraft (PWC) has a good chance of being serious or fatal.

In 2022 alone, there were 174 PWC accidents in Florida, resulting in 154 injuries and 6 deaths. PWCs played some part in 24 percent of all boating wrecks in the state that year. Majority of the accidents that PWCs were involved in were collisions with other vessels (95 crashes) and collisions with fixed objects (25 crashes).

If you or someone close to you has been hurt in an accident involving a jet ski or other type of PWC, the Florida personal injury lawyers of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, can help. Since 1975, we have assisted accident and injury victims in obaining the compensation they deserve. Not only are we knowledgeable in every aspect of Florida personal injury law, but we work hard for our clients. We’re willing to fight for justice on their behalf.

The Florida jet ski and boating accident lawyers of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, have obtained millions of dollars in compensation for victims of personal injury throughout Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Jupiter, Okeechobee, Palm Beach and Vero Beach.  For a free consultation, call us today at 1-800-299-8878 or use our online contact form. You pay nothing unless we win your case.

Causes of Florida Jet Ski Accidents

There are many causes for a simple jet ski ride going wrong, with one of the major causes being driver inexperience. The driver may be unfamiliar with recreational boating rules or new to steering a jet ski in general. A lack of PWC knowledge may lead uneducated operators to take risks more seasoned drivers would never attempt. They also may not realize a jet ski’s reaction to certain maneuvers or its braking speed.

Speeding is another common cause of jet ski crashes. Some personal watercrafts are capable of going 100 miles per hour. It doesn’t take much for a driver to lose control. This not only presents a danger to the PWC’s operator, it is a hazard to everyone in the vicinity as well.

Drugs and alcohol can also be a factor in jet ski collisions. Intoxicants get in the way of good judgment. They can slow a driver’s reaction time. It is also illegal to operate a PWC while any type of drug or alcohol is in the operator’s system.

A large amount of PWC crashes happen because the driver isn’t paying attention. This sort of negligence can occur when a driver is distracted by something, showing off or isn’t watching where he or she is going. Even looking away for a split second can cause a serious wreck.

Defective mechanisms in a PWC may also contribute to a jet ski accident. PWCs that fail to deactivate when a driver loses control or contain a faulty throttle can prove to be lethal, turning a recreational vehicle into a deadly torpedo.

The five major manufacturers dominating the boating industry with their version of the personal watercraft are:

• Kawasaki with the “Jet Ski”
• Yamaha with the “WaveRunner”
• Bombardier with the “Sea Doo”
• Polaris
• Honda

While all offer a fun time on the water, each one can be at the center of a devastating accident, if it isn’t handled properly or if mechanical problems come to light.

Florida’s Jet Ski Safety Laws 

Although you can’t control the behavior of jet ski operators in the water around you, there are things you can do to make your own ride safer. By following Florida’s safety laws and being a cautious driver, you are protecting yourself and other nearby riders.

Some of these rules include:

• The PWC driver and anyone being towed behind must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved, non-inflatable flotation device, also known as a lifejacket.
• A PWC cannot be used on any body of water from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise.
• Navigation lights must be in use from sunrise until sunset.
• A person must be at least 14 years old to operate a PWC.

Contact Our Florida Jet Ski Accident Lawyers

If you or someone close to you has been hurt in an accident involving a personal watercraft, the Florida personal injury lawyers of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, can help. Since 1975, we have assisted accident and injury victims to obtain the compensation they deserve. Not only are we knowledgeable in every aspect of Florida personal injury law, but we work hard for our clients. Furthermore, we’re willing to fight for justice on their behalf.

Our law firm serves clients throughout South Florida and have offices in Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Vero Beach, Okeechobee, Palm Beach Gardens and West Palm Beach. Call us today toll-free at 1-800-299-8878 or use our online form. We can provide you with a free and confidential case evaluation.