Jet skis provide a fun outdoor experience for anyone spending an afternoon on the water. They allow riders to enjoy the open air while offering more speed and maneuverability than most boats. However, personal watercrafts (PWCs) also have drawbacks. Given their size, some boaters can struggle to see them, making them more susceptible to serious collisions.
If you sustain injuries in a PWC wreck, a seasoned personal injury attorney could provide you with useful legal guidance. A Lewisville jet ski accident lawyer could determine if you have a viable claim for compensation if the accident resulted from another person’s negligence.
Since they are open-air vehicles, jet skis offer little in the way of protection in a crash. As personal watercrafts provide little impact absorption, riders often suffer the brunt of the impact, resulting in devastating injuries. Some common injuries suffered in a jet ski crash include:
Any of these injuries has the potential to be life-threatening, particularly when they occur on the water. A dedicated Lewisville attorney could assist a person injured in a jet ski accident with recovering compensation for these catastrophic injuries.
Jet ski crashes can involve a number of factors, including collisions with fixed objects or even dry land. However, most of these accidents stem from collisions with boats and larger vessels.
There are many factors that can lead to a collision between a boat and a jet ski. Frequently, these accidents occur due to the negligence of the boat operator. Boaters that travel at high speeds or are under the influence of alcohol are routinely responsible for collisions with jet skis.
Accidents also tend to involve boat operators that lack the necessary skill or experience. Unlike motor vehicles, the requirements to operate a motorboat in Lewisville are lax. This often leads to unskilled operators behind the wheel of powerful boats. Fortunately, a local attorney could hold these novice boaters accountable if they collided with someone on a jet ski.
When a boat operator collides with a personal watercraft, they could face civil liability for any injuries that occur. To pursue a claim for compensation, the injured jet ski rider and their Lewisville lawyer must establish that the other person involved in the crash was negligent. In general, there are four elements to defendant negligence.
The first element involves establishing a duty of care between the at-fault boater and the injured jet ski operator. This is rarely at issue, as anyone operating a boat has a duty to do so safely.
The second element requires proof that the boater violated their duty to the jet ski operator. There are multiple ways this could occur, including boat operator intoxication, traveling too fast for the conditions, or driving aggressively.
Third, a claimant must show the at-fault boater was directly responsible for their injuries. A person injured in a jet ski crash can only recover damages related to the negligence of the at-fault party.
Finally, the claimant must establish their injuries resulted in damages. Measurable damages can include medical bills, pain and suffering, or lost wages.
When it comes to a jet ski collision, there is no time to wait. The process of investigating these claims can take time, and any delay can make that process more difficult. Furthermore, evidence can quickly disappear, especially in water.
Let a Lewisville jet ski accident lawyer aid you with your claim from start to finish. Call right away to begin the claim process.
McCraw Law Group