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If you have been injured in a jet ski accident, there are numerous legal theories under which you can sue. A jet ski accident injury attorney at the law offices of Preston Easley, APC can investigate your accident and help determine how you can seek compensation. You may be able to file a negligence-based or product liability lawsuit to get the money you deserve for your injuries.
You can take control of your legal situation by getting help from an experienced California personal watercraft injury lawyer today. An attorney at the law offices of Preston Easley, APC is standing by and ready to speak to you during the course of a free initial consultation.
You Need to Know Who to Sue in Your Case
Jet ski accidents are the second most common type of watercraft mishap. Nearly 1,000 of these accidents occur on an annual basis, and most result in some type of injury. Jet ski accidents can cause serious bodily harm because the person operating them does not have any protection from impact. Further, like any other type of boating accident, the victim could also drown. Before you can file a lawsuit for a jet ski accident that was someone else’s fault, you need to learn who you may be able to sue.
When you hire a boating accident lawyer, they would conduct a complete investigation of the facts and circumstances of your case. They would learn who the responsible party is for your accident. In some cases, there may be more than one person or entity who was to blame, and you could file claims against all of them. It makes sense to cast as wide a legal net as possible, so there are more potential sources of assets and insurance coverage to pay for your injuries.
You may be able to sue the following in a jet ski accident:
The Jet Ski Operator
If you were a passenger on a jet ski operated by another person, you may be able to sue that individual for your injuries. However, if that individual was a spouse, you would not be able to file a claim.
A Jet Ski Rental Company
You may not have owned the jet ski that was involved in the accident. You can have rented it from a company. They have a legal obligation to inspect and maintain the jet ski in a safe condition. If your accident was caused by a mechanical issue with the jet ski, you may sue the company that rented it to you.
The Operator of Another Boat in the Area
Your jet ski accident may have been caused by a boat that was in the area. The operator may have been driving the boat carelessly, or they may have caused a wake that caused your jet ski to capsize. You can file a claim against their boater’s insurance policy or a lawsuit against the voter individually.
The Manufacturer of the Jet Ski
The jet ski itself may have been the cause of the accident. Here, there could have been a defective part that caused the watercraft to malfunction. If that is the case, you can file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer or the company that made the part, or even the one that sold the jet ski.
Government Entities
A government entity responsible for the waterway in which the accident occurred may not have properly marked hazards in the water. They may also not have enforced speed regulations for other watercraft in the area. You can sue a government entity for your personal injuries, but the rules may be somewhat different.
You need to be prepared for the insurance company or defendant involved in your lawsuit to try to blame you for the accident as the jet ski operator. They may try to take advantage of a perception that you are riskier than the average person solely due to the fact that you chose to operate a jet ski. You need to be prepared to fight back against any wrongful allegations because it can affect your ability to receive compensation and the amount of money that you can get.
Contact a Personal Watercraft Accident Law Firm Today
If you have been injured on a jet ski, speak to a California personal watercraft accident lawyer at The Law Offices of Preston Easley, APC. The first step in the legal process is scheduling a free initial consultation, and you can do that by messaging us through our website or by calling us today (310) 773-5207. You never pay us anything unless you win your case. Our office is in San Diego, and we also serve clients in Hawaii.
Preston Easley is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. He served five years of active duty as a Naval officer — three years as a deck officer on a fast frigate and two years as a patrol boat skipper. Mr. Easley also served aboard a tank landing ship in the reserves. Learn more here.
