What To Do After A Personal Watercraft Injury In Florida
If you have been involved in an accident in a Florida Jet Ski, Sea-Doo, or WaveRunner, you may be struggling with serious injuries. Personal watercraft accidents sometimes result in head injuries, blunt force injuries and other types of physical trauma.
Common causes of personal watercraft accidents in Florida include inexperienced users, inebriation, speeding, collisions with moving or solid, immovable objects, and environmental factors such as choppy waters.
As with boating accidents and motor vehicle accidents, you can seek compensation if you have been injured in a personal watercraft accident due to someone else’s negligence. To discover whose negligence may have caused your accidental injuries, work with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney. Call 561-363-3947 or send an email inquiry now.
Determining Negligence After A Personal Watercraft Crash
A personal injury attorney can help you pursue compensation after a watercraft injury. A thorough review of all evidence may reveal that the negligent party in a personal watercraft accident was one or more of the following:
- A personal watercraft rental facility
- A boater or the operator of another watercraft
- A watercraft inspection or repair technician or their employer
- A manufacturer that allowed for the production and sale of defective personal watercraft
- A bar or restaurant where someone who was visibly inebriated was served alcoholic beverages before they operated another personal watercraft and caused an accident
Among the evidence that attorney Tighe will review in an investigation of your accident is the following:
- Who was operating the personal watercraft that collided with yours? Florida’s laws allow 14-year-olds to operate them and 18-year-olds to rent them.
- Was the rental facility properly run when you and/or the other watercraft operator rented a Jet Ski or another brand of watercraft there?
- Was anyone involved in the accident under the influence of alcohol?
Once attorney Tighe has discovered what happened and who was responsible, he will work with you to prepare an injury claim. He may then present legal documents on your behalf in settlement negotiations, mediation sessions or a trial.
Frequently Asked Questions About Watercraft Injuries
Attorney Tighe often hears the following questions after someone is injured in a Florida watercraft accident:
Who should I contact if I’m in a jet ski accident during a vacation in Florida?
Jet ski accidents must be reported to both the local authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard. If the jet ski was a rental, you should also notify the owner. Obtain the names and contact information of all parties involved, including the insurance company that indemnifies the watercraft.
Then, you should immediately contact an experienced personal injury attorney to get guidance on your legal options and protect your interests.
Do I have to stay in Florida after my Jet Ski accident to file a personal injury lawsuit?
You do not need to stay in Florida nor be a Florida resident to pursue a personal injury lawsuit after a jet ski accident – but you need a Florida lawyer to help you fully understand this state’s rules when it comes to personal injury claims.
Your claim can largely be handled over the phone, via email or through video conferences unless the claim goes to litigation. If that happens, you may be required to return to Florida for certain scheduled events, like a trial.
Can I file a case if I signed a waiver with the rental company?
You may still be able to pursue a claim if the company’s waiver was not properly drafted or did not cover your specific situation. You can also still file a lawsuit, in spite of a waiver, when the company or one of its employees was grossly negligent.
If you are unsure whether your waiver prevents you from filing a claim for a water ski accident, do not rely on the rental company to clarify the issue. Attorney Tighe can review the waiver and the circumstances of your accident to determine if a personal injury claim is possible.
Talk With An Attorney About Compensation And More
If your personal watercraft accident claim is successful, you may recover compensation for medical bills, lost wage replacement, and pain and suffering. Attorney Tighe will help ensure that your losses are properly calculated.
To schedule a free consultation about your or your loved one’s personal watercraft accident and resulting injuries, call X1Law, P.A. or send an email inquiry.