Injured in a jet ski accident in Long Beach, CA? Contact the top Long Beach jet ski accident attorney to seek compensation.
California’s extensive coastline and year-round sunshine make jet skiing one of the most popular water activities from Marina del Rey to Mission Bay. With thousands of personal watercraft launching daily from Southern California’s harbors, marinas, and beaches, riders enjoy everything from leisurely coastal tours to high-speed ocean adventures.
The waters off Long Beach, Newport Beach, and San Diego attract both experienced operators and first-time renters seeking thrills on the Pacific.
When accidents occur on these busy waterways, the consequences can be severe. California waters see hundreds of personal watercraft accidents each year, resulting in catastrophic injuries that require immediate medical attention and long-term care.
If you’ve been injured in a personal watercraft accident, understanding your legal rights and the complex maritime laws governing these incidents is essential to securing proper compensation. The Law Offices of Charles D. Naylor brings maritime law expertise to help injured riders navigate these challenging waters and recover the compensation they deserve.
California’s extensive coastline and year-round sunshine make jet skiing one of the most popular water activities from Marina del Rey to Mission Bay. With thousands of personal watercraft launching daily from Southern California’s harbors, marinas, and beaches, riders enjoy everything from leisurely coastal tours to high-speed ocean adventures.
The waters off Long Beach, Newport Beach, and San Diego attract both experienced operators and first-time renters seeking thrills on the Pacific.
When accidents occur on these busy waterways, the consequences can be severe. California waters see hundreds of personal watercraft accidents each year, resulting in catastrophic injuries that require immediate medical attention and long-term care.
If you’ve been injured in a personal watercraft accident, understanding your legal rights and the complex maritime laws governing these incidents is essential to securing proper compensation. The Law Offices of Charles D. Naylor brings maritime law expertise to help injured riders navigate these challenging waters and recover the compensation they deserve.
Do You Have a Jet Ski Injury Case?
Many injured riders hesitate to call an attorney, believing they have no case. You may still have a valid compensation claim even if you think you are barred from recovery.
Several everyday situations still allow for legal action:
- Signed a waiver: Rental companies cannot waive liability for gross negligence or defective equipment through standard waivers.
- Partially at fault: California’s comparative fault rules allow recovery even when you share some blame for the accident.
- Uninsured operator: We explore all compensation sources, including watercraft owners, rental companies, and your insurance coverage.
Don’t let these concerns prevent you from seeking the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
What Should You Do After a Jet Ski Accident?
Understanding what to do when involved in a boating accident is critical for protecting your health and legal rights immediately following a personal watercraft accident. Quick, proper steps help build a strong foundation for your injury claim.
Get Medical Care and Document Injuries
Your health comes first. Seek immediate medical attention even if injuries seem minor, as severe conditions may not appear right away. Keep detailed records of all diagnoses, treatments, and medical expenses.
Report the Accident to Harbor Patrol or Law Enforcement
California law requires reporting accidents involving injury, death, or significant property damage to local authorities. Contact the sheriff’s department, harbor patrol, or U.S. Coast Guard to file an official report.
Preserve Evidence, Photos, and Witnesses
Take photos of the accident scene, watercraft damage, and your injuries if possible. Collect names and contact information from anyone who witnessed the incident. This evidence becomes crucial for proving your case.
Avoid Recorded Statements Until You Speak With Us
Insurance adjusters may contact you requesting recorded statements to use against you later. Politely decline to provide statements or sign documents until you have consulted with an experienced maritime attorney. Call us before giving any statements: 888-440-5829.
What Causes Jet Ski Accidents?
Most jet ski accidents result from preventable human error or equipment failure rather than actual accidents. Understanding common causes helps identify who may be responsible for your injuries.
Frequent causes include operator inexperience, following too closely behind other vessels, and operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Mechanical failures from poor maintenance by rental companies also lead to serious crashes.
Additional factors include reckless operation, distracted driving, and collisions with boats, other PWCs, or fixed objects like docks and buoys. Overcrowded waterways without proper lookouts create dangerous conditions for all riders.
Why Jet Skis and Personal Watercraft Are High-Risk
Personal watercraft present unique dangers compared to traditional boats. Their design combines high speeds with complete rider exposure, creating conditions for catastrophic injuries.
Jet skis have exceptional power-to-weight ratios, allowing rapid acceleration, but lack conventional braking systems. When operators release the throttle, the craft decelerates abruptly and loses steering control. This combination of speed and instability leaves riders vulnerable to severe harm.
The absence of protective hulls or barriers means riders absorb the full impact of collisions or falls. Water impact at high speeds can be as dangerous as hitting concrete.
What Jet Ski Injuries Do We See Most Often?
The forces involved in jet ski accidents cause devastating, life-altering injuries. Because riders remain completely exposed, they often bear the full impact of crashes or falls from the watercraft.
Common serious injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries: Impact with water, vessels, or the seafloor causes concussions and severe brain trauma.
- Spinal cord damage: Falls or high-speed wave strikes lead to compression fractures and potential paralysis.
- Broken bones: Direct impact during crashes frequently breaks arms, legs, and ribs.
- Internal injuries: Powerful water jets can cause severe orifice and organ damage when riders fall near the stern.
- Near-drowning: Being thrown from PWCs leads to drowning or oxygen-deprivation brain damage.
These catastrophic injuries often require extensive medical treatment and can permanently impact your ability to work and enjoy life.
Who Is Liable for a Jet Ski Accident?
Determining legal responsibility requires a thorough investigation. Multiple parties may share liability depending on the circumstances of your accident.
Negligent PWC or Boat Operators
Operators who violate navigation rules, drive recklessly, or operate under the influence face direct responsibility for resulting harm. All boaters must operate vessels safely and avoid endangering others on the water.
Rental Companies and Tour Operators
Rental businesses may be liable for inadequate safety instructions, renting to underage or intoxicated persons, or providing equipment that is poorly maintained. Tour operators must ensure proper supervision and safe operating conditions.
Owners and Negligent Entrustment
PWC owners can be held responsible when they knowingly allow inexperienced, reckless, or impaired persons to operate their watercraft. This legal theory applies when owners should have known the operator posed a danger.
Manufacturers and Product Defects
Sometimes accidents result from design or manufacturing defects in the PWC itself. When this occurs, manufacturers face liability through product liability claims for failing to design safe products or warn of known dangers.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Jet Ski Accident?
If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, you deserve full compensation for all losses. California law allows recovery for both financial expenses and personal suffering.
| Economic Damages | Non-Economic Damages |
| Past and future medical bills | Pain and suffering |
| Lost wages and income | Emotional distress |
| Loss of earning capacity | Loss of life enjoyment |
| Property damage | Scarring and disfigurement |
Cases involving extreme recklessness, such as boating under the influence, may warrant punitive damages. These punish wrongdoers and deter similar dangerous conduct in the future.
The total value depends on injury severity, treatment duration, and impact on your daily life and career.
Which California and Maritime Laws Apply to Your Case?
Jet ski accidents involve complex combinations of state regulations and federal maritime law, requiring careful analysis of when maritime law applies to your specific case. Our naval law expertise helps navigate these overlapping rules to your advantage.
California Boater Card and Age Requirements for PWCs
All motorized vessel operators on California waters must carry a California Boater Card. Operators must be at least 16 years old to operate PWCs without supervision.
Personal Flotation Device Requirements and Operation Restrictions
Every PWC rider must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device at all times. Operating PWCs between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise is prohibited.
Boating Under the Influence and Criminal Penalties
Operating a PWC while impaired by alcohol can result in criminal penalties similar to those for driving under the influence (DUI). BUI convictions also expose operators to punitive damages in civil lawsuits.
Accident Reporting Requirements and Deadlines
Operators must immediately report accidents involving death, disappearance, or injuries requiring medical treatment beyond first aid. Written reports must be filed within specific timeframes, depending on the accident’s severity.
How Long Do You Have to File a Jet Ski Injury Claim?
Strict deadlines called statutes of limitations limit your time to file lawsuits. Missing these deadlines permanently bars your right to recover compensation.
In California, personal injury claims generally must be filed within two years of the date of the accident. However, maritime law may provide up to three years for accidents on navigable waters.
When a government entity is involved, you may be required to file initial claim notices within just six months. Because applicable deadlines depend on specific case facts, immediate attorney consultation is crucial for protecting your rights.
How We Prove Your Jet Ski Case
Successful jet ski injury claims require meticulous investigation to gather evidence and establish fault. We conduct thorough investigations to build the strongest possible case.
Scene Investigation and Electronic Evidence
Our team investigates accident scenes, secures electronic data from PWC control units, and obtains GPS tracking information when available. We also gather maintenance logs and rental records to identify patterns of negligence.
Medical Documentation and Future Care Planning
We work closely with your physicians and medical experts to fully document the extent of the injury and determine future medical needs. This includes calculating lifetime care costs for permanent disabilities.
Challenging Liability Waivers
We know how to overcome liability waivers that rental companies use to avoid responsibility. These contracts cannot protect companies from their own gross negligence or equipment defects.
Expert witnesses help explain technical aspects of PWC operation, accident reconstruction, and medical causation to judges and juries.
Why Choose the Law Offices of Charles D. Naylor
When facing powerful insurance companies and corporate legal teams, you need experienced advocates to level the playing field and protect your interests.
Decades of Maritime Focus in Los Angeles and Long Beach
Our firm concentrates exclusively on maritime and admiralty law. Located at the center of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, we dedicate our practice to helping injured individuals on waterways.
Proven Results and Industry Recognition
Our track record includes maritime injury verdicts and settlements resulting in multi-million-dollar recoveries for clients. Charles D. Naylor receives recognition from Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers for maritime law expertise, but our primary mission remains providing compassionate advocacy for every client.
No Fee Unless We Win Your Case
We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and we only collect fees when we successfully recover compensation for your injuries.
This arrangement ensures we remain fully committed to achieving the best possible outcome for your case.
Speak With a Jet Ski Accident Lawyer Today
If you suffered injuries in a jet ski accident, don’t delay getting the help you need to understand how to sue for maritime injury in California. The Law Offices of Charles D. Naylor protects your rights and fights for the justice you deserve.
We provide free, confidential case reviews 24/7 to help you understand your legal options. Our attorneys are licensed in California and Louisiana, and we handle cases in other states by associating with qualified local attorneys.
Because time limits for filing claims can be as short as six months, act immediately to protect your rights. Call us now at 888-440-5829 or complete our online form to get started with your case evaluation.
Jet Ski Accident Attorney FAQs
Does Signing a Rental Waiver Prevent Me From Filing a Lawsuit?
No, rental waivers cannot protect companies from gross negligence or equipment defects. We successfully challenge these documents when rental companies fail to maintain equipment properly or act recklessly.
Can I Still Recover Damages If I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?
Yes, California’s comparative fault law allows recovery even when you share blame for the accident. Your fault percentage reduces your compensation, but you don’t lose your right to recovery entirely.
What Happens If the Other Operator Has No Insurance Coverage?
We investigate all potential compensation sources, including the PWC owner’s homeowner’s insurance, your uninsured boater coverage, rental company policies, and personal assets of responsible parties.
Which Statute of Limitations Applies to My Jet Ski Accident Case?
The correct deadline depends on the accident location and parties involved. Some deadlines can be as short as six months for government claims, making immediate legal consultation essential to protect your rights.
Can I Sue a Manufacturer for Jet-Thrust Injuries or Equipment Defects?
Yes, PWC manufacturers face liability for injuries caused by design defects or inadequate warnings about known dangers, such as jet-thrust injuries. Product liability claims can provide additional sources of compensation.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire Your Jet Ski Accident Lawyers?
There are no upfront costs to hire our firm. We work exclusively on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only receive payment when we successfully win your case and recover compensation.
Do You Handle Cases for Out-of-State Residents Injured in California?
Yes, we represent clients injured in California jet ski accidents regardless of their home state. We’re prepared to fight for your rights and secure the compensation you deserve, no matter where you live.
