HOUSTON PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY

Common Causes of Jet Ski Injuries

• Operator Inexperience: Many jet ski riders are novices, unfamiliar with the power and handling of these machines. Inexperience can lead to poor decision-making, loss of control and accidents.
• Reckless Operation: Speeding, weaving between boats and attempting dangerous maneuvers are common behaviors of some jet ski riders. These reckless behaviors increase the risk of collisions and falls.
• Alcohol and Drug Use: Operating a jet ski under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs judgment, coordination and reaction time, increasing the risk for accidents.
• Environmental Hazards: Poor weather conditions, strong currents or underwater obstacles can pose serious risks to jet ski operators. Collisions with environmental hazards can send riders and passengers over the handlebars, similar to motorcycle crashes.
• Mechanical Failure: Like any vehicle, jet skis require regular maintenance. Mechanical failures, such as engine malfunctions or steering problems, can lead to accidents, often without warning. If a rider or passenger was injured due to the mechanical failure of a rented jet ski, the rental company may be liable.
• Collisions with Other Watercraft: Busy waterways force jet skiers to share space with boats, swimmers and other watercraft. Collisions can result in serious injuries for all parties involved.

Injuries Suffered in Boating Accidents

Jet ski accidents often happen at speeds high enough that even impacts with water can cause serious injuries. Unfortunately, riders and passengers often hit much harder surfaces, like the sides of boats, docks, rocks, or swimmers. These collisions can cause severe injuries that are not dissimilar from those suffered in car crashes or motorcycle accidents.

• Head Injuries: Most jet ski riders and passengers do not wear helmets. There’s an assumption that, when you’re in the water, your head is less likely to strike a solid surface like concrete or asphalt. The truth is that riders or passengers who are thrown from jet skis at high speeds can still suffer serious head injuries when they strike the water. Swimmers struck by jet skis are also at particularly high risk for suffering traumatic head injuries, including concussions or catastrophic brain injuries.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: High-impact collisions or falls can lead to spinal cord injuries, potentially resulting in paralysis or long-term disability. Riders, passengers, and swimmers struck by jet skis are at risk for spinal cord injuries in these accidents.
• Fractures and Broken Bones: The force of a collision or being thrown off a jet ski can easily cause fractures, particularly in the arms, legs, and ribs.
• Drowning: Even experienced swimmers can be at risk for drowning if they are knocked unconscious after being struck by a jet ski, ejected from the back of one, or entangled in debris following a jet ski accident.
• Lacerations and Abrasions: The high speed of a jet ski can cause severe lacerations and abrasions if a rider makes contact with sharp objects or is thrown into boats, docks, rocks, or other hard objects. Hard impacts with water can also cause severe bruising.
• People often mistakenly assume a liquid won’t cause severe lacerations, abrasions, broken bones, or soft tissue injuries. Water behaves like a solid if a rider or passenger is traveling at high enough speeds when they strike the surface. As a result, jet ski crashes are some of the most dangerous recreational vehicle accidents.

Legal Requirements for Jet Ski Operation

People often don’t realize how many rules apply to recreational watercraft, including jet skis. There are
strict legal rules and guidelines for operating or riding a jet ski in Texas.
For example, riders must be at least 13 years old to operate a jet ski without supervision. Riders under
18 must have either completed a boat education course or be supervised by an adult who has passed
the course. Riders and passengers are supposed to wear life jackets and have an engine cut-off switch
always attached to their person while riding.
There are also many operational rules, like speed limits, observing no wake zones and refraining from
negligent operation.
Unfortunately, many jet ski riders are either unaware of these rules or ignore them, leading to many jet
ski accident injuries in the Houston area every year.

Texas Liability Law and Jet Ski Injury Accidents

Determining liability in a jet ski accident can be complex. Factors such as operator negligence, equipment failure and environmental conditions must be considered.

• If an accident occurs due to reckless or negligent behavior, the responsible party may be liable for the injuries sustained by others. Any operator behavior that is against the law can potentially meet the criteria for negligence, including behavior like speeding, operating under the influence, ignoring no wake zones, not using a kill switch, or failing to follow safety regulations.
• If a mechanical failure or defect caused the accident, the manufacturer of the jet ski may be held liable for the injuries. Jet ski rental businesses also have an obligation to maintain their recreational watercraft and ensure they are working properly and are safe prior to renting them out. Rental businesses can potentially be liable for injuries if an accident can be attributed to their actions or maintenance failures.
• Determining who is liable for a jet ski accident is sometimes easier than bringing a successful claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party. People injured in these crashes often benefit from the assistance of an attorney who can help gather evidence to prove fault and aggressively negotiate with and litigate against insurance companies for compensation.

Seeking Justice After a Jet Ski Accident

A qualified recreational watercraft injury lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of a jet ski injury
case. The Weycer Law Firm is ready to assist in determining liability and pursuing the compensation you
and your family deserve.

Contact us today at (713) 618-4545 for a free consultation and let us fight for the justice and
compensation you deserve.