Legal Recourse for Jet Ski Accident Victims
As leading accident attorneys in Orange County, CA, we’ve helped countless clients secure fair compensation after suffering serious injuries in an accident. Wondering about your eligibility for a settlement? Schedule a free consultation online to explore your options with a legal expert.
Jet skiing is an extremely popular recreational activity in Southern California. Similar to other types of motorized vehicles, such as four-wheelers and dirt bikes, jet skis come with certain inherent risks and offer little in the way of driver protection.
When jet ski accidents do occur, they often result in serious physical injuries, property damage, and, in some cases, rider fatalities. Jet ski accident victims may suffer a range of economic and non-economic losses that are difficult or impossible to recoup without assistance. Fortunately, injury victims don’t have to figure it out alone.
The personal injury attorneys at Case Barnett Law are here to help navigate your legal options for securing compensation. Keep reading to learn about the various types of legal recourse for jet ski accident victims and how an experienced jet ski accident lawyer in Orange County, CA, can help you find justice.
Who Is Liable for My Jet-Ski Accident?![Man On A Jet-Ski in California]()
Many different parties can be held liable for jet-ski accidents in California. After a thorough investigation of the details of your case, your accident attorney will help you pinpoint the at-fault party in order to pursue damages. The following are just a few of the individuals or entities that may be held liable:
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The jet-ski operator. If a vessel's operator was driving negligently at the time of the accident, whether by speeding, operating under the influence, or failing to adhere to safety regulations, they may be liable for any resulting injuries.
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The jet-ski manufacturer. If your accident resulted from manufacturing defects, including mechanical failures or design flaws, you may be able to hold the manufacturer liable for damages under California’s product liability laws.
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A negligent third party. Jet-ski accidents can also be caused by third parties, such as another boat’s operator, a rental company that failed to properly maintain the jet ski or a property that failed to provide guests with safe access to the water.
It’s important to note that California law abides by the legal doctrine of pure comparative negligence, meaning that injury victims who were partially responsible for the accident can still pursue damages from other parties. However, the plaintiff’s compensation will be limited by the percentage of fault attributable to them.
Common Jet Ski Injuries
Much like car accidents, jet-ski accidents can result in a wide range of injuries. However, given the nature of jet skis, certain types of injuries are more common than others, including the following:
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Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Head injuries are among the most common associated with jet-ski accidents, especially when riders are thrown from their vehicle into the water or another object.
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Spinal cord injuries. The force of impact associated with jet-ski accidents can also lead to spinal cord injuries and partial or complete paralysis, all of which can require long-term medical care and rehabilitation.
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Broken bones. High-speed jet-ski collisions can result in various bone fractures, particularly breaks in the arms, legs, ribs, and face.
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Soft tissue injuries. Jet-ski accident victims can suffer severe cuts, bruises, and other types of soft tissue injuries when they come into contact with the jet ski, debris, or objects in the water.
Additionally, jet-ski accident victims are at significant risk of drowning, especially if a collision leaves them unconscious or incapacitated after being thrown into the water. Even near-drowning incidents can result in serious injuries, including brain damage due to lack of oxygen.
Recovering Compensation After a Jet-Ski Accident
Jet-ski accident victims may suffer a wide range of losses, including serious injuries, financial losses, pain and suffering, and more. Fortunately, they may be eligible to recover compensatory damages through a personal injury claim.
Economic damages are easily calculable financial losses. They include all accident-related expenses and may include compensation for the following:
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Medical expenses. including the cost of emergency care, surgeries, hospitalization, medications, rehabilitation, and future medical treatments
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Lost wages. including past and future lost income resulting from the accident
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Property damage. the cost of repairing or replacing the jet ski or other belongings that were damaged in the accident
Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages are not easily calculable, as they do not correlate to direct financial losses. Non-economic damages refer to intangible losses associated with the accident and may include the following:
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Pain and suffering. The physical pain and emotional distress resulting from the accident and related injuries
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Loss of enjoyment of life. The inability to enjoy life and activities in the same way as before the accident
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Loss of consortium. A loss of love and companionship between spouses resulting from the accident
In rare cases, the court will also award punitive damages. Unlike economic and non-economic damages, the plaintiff cannot seek punitive damages; they are awarded strictly at the court’s discretion and reserved for cases in which the defendant’s behavior was particularly egregious or negligent.
Case Barnett Law: Top Accident Attorneys in Southern California
Jet-ski accidents are often complex and difficult to navigate, which is why the importance of expert legal assistance cannot be overstated. Recovering maximum compensation typically requires partnering with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help calculate the full range of damages and fight tirelessly for the settlement you deserve.
If you suffered serious injuries in a jet-ski accident that wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t be footing the bill for your recovery. Fortunately, the jet-ski accident attorneys at Case Barnett Law are here to advocate for you. Ready to get started? Schedule a free case evaluation today.