While jet skiing and other boating activities signal the start of summer, a recent Hudson River jet ski accident demonstrates just how tragic jet skis can be. After two jet skis collided, all emergency service providers responded, including the Newburgh Fire Department, State Police, city police, and Orange County Sheriff and State Police boats. EMS performed CPR on one of the operators before transporting them to a local hospital. That collision is currently under investigation.
Unfortunately, that jet ski crash is not an isolated event. The U.S. Coast Guard reported 4,040 accidents, 2,222 injuries, and 636 deaths in recreational boating accidents in a recent year. In crashes where the type of vessel was known, 18 percent involved personal watercraft. Nine percent of fatal boating accidents that year involved personal watercraft.
If you were injured in a jet ski accident in Chicago, here is what you should know about these crashes in Illinois.
Common Causes of Jet Ski Wrecks
Like other types of crashes involving motorized vehicles, jet ski wrecks may be caused by various reasons. Some common causes of Lake Michigan jet ski accidents include:
- Operator intoxication
- Crashes involving operators with no or little experience handling these types of vehicles
- Speeding, with some models reaching speeds up to 70 mph
- Lack of training or adequate instruction
- Failure to look out for other vessels
- Distractions
- Not following boating rules or operating boats in prohibited areas
- Improper maintenance
- Equipment defects
An experienced Chicago jet ski crash lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation to determine how the crash occurred and who is responsible.
Common Jet Ski Injuries
What was supposed to be a fun day on the water can quickly turn into tragedy when a boat operator acts negligently. Jet ski accident injuries may include:
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Burn injuries
- Broken bones
- Facial injuries
Jet ski riders are also at an increased risk of drowning because of the higher likelihood of falling into the water compared to people in boats.
Who Is Responsible for Jet Ski Crashes?
Who is responsible for jet ski crashes depends on the specific circumstances surrounding the crash and the factors that contributed to it. Often, operators of jet skis, boats, or other personal watercraft are to blame for these crashes because they acted negligently. They may have been impaired by drugs or alcohol, failed to yield the right-of-way to another watercraft, or operated the vessel in a no-wake zone.
In other cases, the crash may have occurred because the vessel was not properly maintained. In those cases, the owner of the vessel or rental company may be at fault.
Still yet, defects in jet ski equipment may cause crashes. In these cases, the manufacturer of the jet ski or defective auto part may be to blame.
Call a Chicago Jet Ski Crash Lawyer Today
If you were injured in a jet ski accident in Chicago or Lake Michigan or lost a loved one in a jet ski accident death, call an experienced lawyer today. The jet ski accident lawyers at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C., are knowledgeable about local and state boating laws and have the resources and skills to aggressively fight for fair compensation. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal options.
