Jet Ski (Personal Watercraft) AccidentsMore Maneuverability, and More Danger

If you were to compare boats to cars, a jet ski would be like a motorcycle, providing less protection and lead to more injuries when involved in an accident. Personal Watercraft (PWC) is classified by the United States Coast Guard as a “Class A Vessel”, which means it is a motorboat less than 16 feet in length. Due to the smaller size of these vessels, they are known to be more maneuverable. However, most PWC are not equipped with brakes, nor do they have any maneuverability without throttle making them more dangerous in the presence of negligence. With the increased dangers in operating a PWC, Maryland has implemented rules and regulations to promote safe and responsible boating, including but not limited to, the requirement for operators to be at least 16 years of age, and those born on or after July 1, 1972, must carry a NASBLA approved certificate of boating safety education while operating a PWC. It is also required and very important to have each person on board a PWC equipped with a United States Coast Guard approved type I, II, III, or V life jacket and a functioning self-circling device or a lanyard-type engine cut-off switch attached to the operator as many PWC accidents result in ejection.

Excessive speeds, alcohol or drug use, operator inattention or inexperience, and reckless behavior such as jumping wakes of other boats are the most common causes of jet ski accidents. If you are injured by someone on a jet ski through their negligence, it is important to establish all parties who may share responsibility. Like boat collisions, these parties may include:

• PWC Operators: through inattention, inexperience, or rule violations
• PWC Owners: for negligent entrustment or failure to maintain vessels properly
• Charter Companies: for renting vessels to persons without adequate experience or instruction
• Structure Owners: Dock, pier, or marina owners if inadequate lighting or markers contributed to the collision
• Government Entities: responsible for maintaining navigable waterways, proper marking of hazards, and safe infrastructure for structures like bridges

Jet ski accident cases are not as simple as a car or motorcycle accident, as they often involve General Maritime Law, admiralty jurisdiction, multiple insurance policies, and complicated liability issues. Victims of jet ski accidents may be entitled to compensation for: medical expenses; lost income and future earnings; pain and suffering; emotional distress; property damage to their vessel; rehabilitation and long-term medical care; wrongful death damages in fatal accidents.

Please call 301-888-HURT for Maryland Personal Injury Attorney George P. Patterson, with 30 years of experience in both state and federal court to schedule a free consultation. He is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and a Top 5 Maryland Plaintiff Personal Injury lawyer by Super Lawyers.  Patterson Law’s office is located in Annapolis, Maryland by the Anne Arundel Medical Center.