Jet Ski Accidents

Jet skis are probably among the most fun water-related activities a person can do. Navigating with a jet ski in open waters, with proper safety gear and adequate knowledge of what to do and not do under the circumstances sounds like the best time one person can have in the water. Like many of these activities, the fun can quickly turn nightmarish when an incident occurs.

Jet ski rentals are seemingly available almost on every single beach throughout the entire state of Florida. Some businesses offer actual jet ski tours where you discover an area while on a jet ski. In Florida, a jet ski operation must abide by certain rules. They have a duty to provide a reasonably safe jet ski tour commensurate with the level of experience of the patron.

A jest ski business must provide mandatory instructions and warnings prior to delivering the jet ski. Florida law requires that any company offering jet ski rentals cover specific safety topics in an instructional video or brochure, including but not limited to specific local hazards, changes in water conditions, and proper responses to changes in water conditions. The law also requires instruction regarding “local characteristics of the waterway where the vessel will be operated.” The rental business must also conduct a “check ride” mandated by Florida law to ensure that renters are fit to operate the jet ski prior to the delivering the jet ski.

In a recent case, Leesfield & Partners was able to argue successfully that the jet ski tour defendant failed to instruct, warn, and conduct a “check ride” before the tour began. When the operator / guide instructed the group to navigate through high current and tricky areas, our client crashed her jet ski and sustained catastrophic orthopedic injuries. In another jet ski case, our firm secured a large settlement for our client who became injured after an inattentive boater crashed into her.

If you were involved in a jet ski accident and sustained serious injuries, contact our experienced attorneys at 1-800-836-6400, and we will conduct a thorough evaluation of your potential claim against all potential defendants.