West Palm Beach Jet Ski Accident Lawyer

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, personal watercrafts have collisions at a higher rate than any other type of watercraft. In fact, nearly one-third of all reported boating accidents involve a personal watercraft and 36 percent of all boating injuries occur in personal watercraft accidents.

If you have suffered due to a watercraft collision at the hands of another party, you may want to seek the representation of a West Palm Beach jet ski accident lawyer. A knowledgeable boat accident lawyer can help you determine who is liable for your injuries and can advocate for your rights.

Common Causes of Jet Ski Accidents

Just like there are common causes for vehicle accidents, the same goes for jet skis. Some of the causes of these accidents are the same while others are quite different. Regardless of the cause of an accident, an experienced attorney can help.

Inexperience

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, most jet ski accidents involve operators who are between 11 and 20 years of age. Owners of the personal watercraft were involved in less than 20 percent of these accidents. The National Transportation Safety Board reports that over 80 percent of jet ski accidents involved operators who had not received any boating safety instruction or education. Almost half of all injury accidents involved people who had never operated a jet ski before or had only done so once previously.

Poor Judgement

People who do not frequently operate boats or personal watercrafts may not be qualified to judge the distance or speed of vehicles in the water. They often find themselves right on top of another boat. Since personal watercraft do not have brakes and may need up to 300 feet to stop when traveling at 60mph, this can result in serious accidents.

Intoxicated Operating

When the operator of a personal watercraft has been drinking or is under the influence of other drugs, their mental and physical abilities are negatively impacted. This can also cause accidents.

Statute of Limitations for West Palm Beach Cases

After a jet ski accident, Florida laws limit the amount of time the victim can file a civil lawsuit. This helps ensure the use of fresh evidence and a timely resolution.

As per Florida Statute § 95.11(3)(a) (2016), lawsuits must be filed within four years from the date of the accident. If the potential plaintiff does not file suit during this period, their right to recover damages decreases significantly and may even no longer exist. Those who have concerns about the statute of limitations should contact an experienced West Palm Beach jet ski accident lawyer.

Work with a West Palm Beach Jet Ski Accident Attorney

A qualified West Palm Beach jet ski accident lawyer knows how these incidents can impact your life. They may be able to help you get the compensation you deserve, through a fair settlement or a jury award, for your injuries and expenses related to your jet ski accident. This can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and even loss of companionship.

A lawyer can treat you with compassion and respect while remembering that you are likely facing one of the most difficult times of your life. Call today to begin the process of seeking justice.