There are countless reasons a jet ski accident can occur- including alcohol or drug consumption, negligence, inexperience and carelessness. Due to the nature of personal watercrafts, an accident can have severe and potentially fatal consequences. As such, pinpointing who was at fault is critical. Proving someone did not exercise reasonable care or was negligent is the basis of information you need to start a case with a NYC Personal Accident Attorney who has proven results in jet ski accident cases.
The Driver of the Jet Ski
Most commonly, the driver of the jet ski who hit you is held responsible for the damages. However, there are several steps in suing a jet ski driver for your injuries. You and your lawyer must prove that the jet ski driver owed you a duty of care and it was breached. Or, you must prove that the driver’s negligence directly caused your injuries.
The Owner of the Jet Ski
If the driver of the jet ski differs from the owner, this puts the owner on the hook, too. If the owner allowed the person to use his or her jet ski, and the driver subsequently caused damage (or even death) to someone else, the owner can be held responsible for damages and be sued as well.
Boat or Personal Watercraft Rental Company
Depending on the cause of the injury, a rental company could be held liable for your injuries. For example, boat rental facilities are required to properly inspect, maintain, and ensure the safety of each watercraft. If your lawyer can prove they failed to do these things, which then caused your jet ski accident, they can be sued.
A Restaurant or Bar That Serves Alcohol
There are dram shop laws that hold restaurants and bars accountable for over-serving patrons that go on to cause damage or injury to others. If the jet ski operator was intoxicated, or above the legal blood alcohol limit, you may be able to sue the establishment. Consult with your lawyer to determine whether or not this is the route to take.
Rowdy Passengers
If the jet ski driver was distracted by rowdy or otherwise misbehaving passengers, they too could find themselves at the receiving end of an injury lawsuit.
Contacting an NYC Accident Lawyer
We will go the extra mile for our clients to win the financial compensation you deserve after a traumatic jet ski injury. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a jet ski or boating accidents, contact the law offices of Ronemus & Vilensky today by calling 212-779-7070, or filling out our free, no-obligation form today.
