Jet skis can be a lot of fun, but they can also cause damage and harm. Unfortunately, jet ski accidents and injuries are common. If you have been hurt by a jet ski, work with a maritime lawyer to determine the best way to seek compensation for medical and other expenses.
How Dangerous Are Jet Skis?
Jet skis are also known as personal watercraft (PWC). The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) tracks accidents and injuries in recreational boating, including the use of PWC. These USCG statistics are from 2022:
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- The USGC recorded 4,040 recreational boating accidents in 2022. These included 2,222 injuries and 636 deaths.
- The most common contributing factor in fatal accidents was alcohol use.
- Jet skis were the second most common type of watercraft involved in any accident, after open motorboats.
- Jet skis were the second most common type of watercraft involved in fatal accidents, after open motorboats and kayaks.
- Of nearly 1,000 jet ski accidents in 2022, there were 549 injuries and 54 deaths.
- The largest age group represented in jet ski fatal accidents was 30 to 39.
Why Are Jet Skis Dangerous?
Jet skis are dangerous for many reasons. They travel at high speeds and are not always easy to control. The operator and any riders are in the open and not protected or secured. In this way, operating a jet ski is similar to operating a motorcycle.
Many people use jet skis as rentals. Even those who own their jet skis do not necessarily know how to operate the watercraft safely.
All of these factors, and others, can easily lead to accidents. These are some of the most common accident types involving jet skis, according to the USCG:
- Collision with another recreational vessel
- Ejection from the jet ski
- Collision with a fixed object
- Falls overboard
- Grounding
- Fire or explosion
- Flooding or swamping
- Capsizing
Of the nearly 1,000 recorded jet ski accidents for 2022, more than 600 involved a collision with another vessel. This is, by far, the most common type of jet ski accident. Nearly half of the fatal accidents were drownings. Other fatalities resulted from injuries.
What Causes Jet Ski Accidents?
The most common cause of jet ski accidents, by far, is operator error. The person operating the watercraft makes a mistake or uses bad judgment, resulting in an accident. According to USCG statistics, these were the top contributing factors in jet ski accidents in 2022:
- Operator inexperience
- Operator inattention
- Violation of navigation rules
- Failure to use a lookout
- Excessive speed
- Making a sharp turn
- Alcohol use
What Are the Most Common Jet Ski Injuries?
Jet ski accidents can cause minor injuries, severe injuries, life-threatening injuries, and even death. The most common types of injuries in these accidents are:
- Head trauma
- Back, neck, and spinal injuries
- Chest trauma
- Deep bruising
- Fractured bones
- Lacerations
- Burns
How to Enjoy Jet Skis Safely
Jet skis do not have to be this dangerous. Of course, no operator can control other people, but some basic safety precautions can significantly lower the risk of accidents.
The first step is to learn how to operate a jet ski correctly. Also, be aware of navigational rules, such as how to operate around other watercraft. Always wear a life jacket when operating or riding as a passenger. Never operate any watercraft when under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Finally, proper maintenance is vital for safely using any type of watercraft. If you own your jet ski, get regular maintenance to keep it operating correctly. If renting, use a reputable company that maintains and certifies its equipment.
Examples of Jet Ski Accidents
Jet ski accidents are common and result in injuries ranging from minor to severe. Unfortunately, many examples of jet ski accidents also end in fatalities.
Football Player Injured in Jet Ski Accident
Buffalo Bills running back Nyheim Hines suffered a season-ending injury in a 2023 jet ski incident. He was on a jet ski but stationary when he was struck by a person operating a jet ski at high speed. The accident tore a ligament in his knee and caused him to miss an entire season.
Fatal Jet Ski Accident in Florida
In the worst-case scenario, a jet ski accident results in a fatality. The operator of a jet ski died in an accident near the Dunedin Causeway in Pinellas County, Florida.
He ran aground on a sandbar, which caused him to be ejected over the jet ski. He suffered head and facial trauma. He was transported to the hospital but did not survive his injuries.
Father and Son Killed in Jet Ski Collision
A father and son died after colliding with a barge being towed across Cheatham Lake in Tennessee in 2023. The father was operating the jet ski while his 9-year-old son, who was wearing a life jacket, rode behind him.
The crew of the tugboat assisted after the jet ski struck the side of the barge. The father was recovered and taken to shore, where he was pronounced dead. The boy’s body was found the next day.
What to Do if You Were Injured in a Jet Ski Accident
Jet ski accidents are often very serious, so getting medical attention should be the priority for anyone involved. Emergency care is often necessary.
You may be eligible for compensation if you were not at fault but were injured in a jet ski accident. Contact a maritime lawyer to find out how to seek damages. If someone was negligent in the accident, you can sue for damages to cover medical expenses and other costs.
If you lost a loved one in a jet ski accident, you might be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. An experienced maritime lawyer will give you the best chance of a successful outcome.