J
et Ski Accidents
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Jet Ski Accidents
A day on the water can include boat rides, water skiing, paddleboarding, and Jet Skiing. Dalton’s many lakes and waterways including Horn Spring, Haig Lake, Blue Cove, Lakes Ackworth and Arrowhead, and the Blue Ridge Dam offer area residents’ access to all types of water sports during the warmer months.
But Jet Skis and other personal watercraft require training and practice to handle and maneuver safely and correctly.
Without understanding the correct way to operate one of these personal watercraft vehicles, people can be badly hurt or even killed.
What Is A Jet Ski?
Jet Ski is a popular water sport, named after the Kawasaki brand of personal watercraft, or PWC. The term “jet ski” has become synonymous with personal watercraft by different manufacturers. Yamaha also makes a PWC called a WaveRunner, and Bombardier briefly made one called a Sea-Doo.
But Jet Skis are not just limited to recreational riding. Fishing is also a popular use for personal watercraft. Lifeguards, the US military, and law enforcement also use these vehicles for rescues, target practice and other hands-on amphibious activities.
The US Coast Guard also considers personal watercraft as “vessels,” and owners are required to follow regulations for both federal and state safety and boat insurance and personal watercraft.
How Jet Skis And Personal Watercraft Work
Personal watercraft vehicles are a popular alternative to full-sized boats, and the basic premise is the same. Small, easy to transport, and rides like a motorcycle on land, Jet Skis are small and powerful. Fast and light, they offer freedom on the water for one or two riders. Some models allow four riders at the same time.
The high-powered motor in a Jet Ski uses an internally mounted impeller to generate forward thrust instead of the external propeller as a boat uses. This impeller draws a large capacity of water into a propulsion channel, then forces out the water through a size-restricted cone shaped jet nozzle. The backward flush of the water then propels the craft forward.
The impeller system has advantages over the external propeller system:
• Since there are no external moving parts, the risk of injury is lessened
• The risk of mechanical failure is lower because there isn’t a transmission for reverse or neutral
• The craft can operate in shallow water, because of the absence of the propeller and other parts that hang below the hull.
The handlebars move the exit nozzle, allowing the driver to steer the vehicle.
Accidents And Injuries
While Jet Skis are buoyant and difficult to tip over, they are not without risk, especially at higher speeds. Jet Ski and personal watercraft accidents can be just as serious as any other vehicular accident. Just like riding in a boat, riders should always wear a life jacket and not consume alcohol. Drinking dulls the reflexes and increases the likelihood that someone who falls in the water will drown.
Accidents with personal watercraft can be caused by:
• An inexperienced driver that doesn’t have a complete understanding of the watercraft (e.g. Off-throttle steering is when an inexperienced driver doesn’t know that they must engage the throttle to steer correctly)
• Not paying attention while driving
• Driving recklessly
• Unsafe weather or water conditions
• Collisions with stationery objects, underwater hazards, boats, and other personal watercraft
• Defective, poorly maintained, or broken equipment
• Driving while intoxicated
• Lack of safety gear while riding, such as a life jacket
• Not taking safety precautions seriously
The most common type of injuries are broken bones from drivers and riders being thrown off at high speeds. Someone can also be run over by another jet ski, or by a boat, leading to additional injuries or death. But Jet Ski accidents can also have more serious injuries like:
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Internal organ damage and bleeding
• Burns
• Amputations
• Infections
• Vision loss or loss of other bodily function
• Cuts, lacerations, and bruises
• Soft tissue injuries such as joints
• Drowning
• Other injuries from falls
• Injuries from propeller blades
These injuries can leave you unable to work for months—or permanently. Following an accident, you should seek immediate medical attention for your injuries. Then speak with a Jet Ski accident lawyer to learn about your options
If You’re Involved In A Jet Ski Accident
A fun day on the water can turn into an accident, and you must act quickly.
• Find everyone and get to safety. Do a headcount, see who’s injured and get them first aid, and find anyone who is missing or drowning, then move to safety as fast as you can.
• Contact the authorities and get help for those who need it.
• Move the watercraft out of the way if possible if the accident happened in a high traffic area
• Take pictures, gather evidence, and get witness information.
• Exchange information with the other involved parties, but do not have further conversation.
• Contact law enforcement and make a report. Do not leave the scene of the accident. Get their contact information so you can speak with them later.
• Seek immediate medical attention, even if you don’t believe you were seriously injured. Some injuries don’t appear right away and could be catastrophic.
When the police arrive, speak only to them, and state the facts of the accident. Then speak with us right away about your accident.
How Can A Jet Ski Accident Lawyer Help?
If you were injured in an accident involving a Jet Ski or other personal watercraft because of a negligent operator or other party, speak with our personal injury lawyer right away.
You may be able to pursue a claim for compensation for your injuries, including.
• Medical expenses and bills, both current and future
• Lost wages/income
• Reduced or loss of earning potential from a disability
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
When we represent you, we begin by gathering evidence and investigating the cause of the accident. We’ll begin collecting accident and police reports, medical records, witness statements and any other relevant information to build a solid case and prove your claim.
Georgia’s statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. If you lost a loved one in a Jet Ski accident, you’ll have two years following the date of their death to file a claim. After that, your claim will be dismissed. Investigating and building your case takes time. That’s why you need to speak with us as soon as possible.
Jet Ski Accident Lawyer In Dalton, Georgia
Joshua J. Smith, Attorney At Law, has been handling personal injury cases in Georgia since 2000. With over 22 years of personal injury experience, he has handled a wide range of cases. Attorney Smith understands the pain that accident victims experience, advocates on their behalf, and uses his expertise to help them move forward after an accident.
If you or a loved one were involved in a Jet Ski accident in Georgia, call the Joshua J. Smith, Attorney At Law at 706-217-2095 or send a message through our website’s contact form. We offer free consultations for boating accidents and other types of personal injury cases.
Contact Attorney Smith Today
We are located at 207 West King St, Dalton, GA 30720. Please call (706) 217-2095 for an appointment or contact us here on our website. If necessary, we can arrange to visit you at your home or a mutually convenient location.
