Boating and Jet Ski Accident Lawyer in Sacramento
It’s not surprising that boating and jet skiing are very popular outdoor sports in the United States, especially California. There’s a certain amount of freedom to be gained out there on the water, whether you’re a fisherman, a water-skier, a pleasure boater, or a personal watercraft enthusiast. There are few traffic signs and even fewer authorities to enforce them. It feels like you can do whatever you want.
What is the Cause of Most Boating Accidents?
It goes without saying that a day out on the water with a jet ski can be tremendously enjoyable. Like motorcycles, these vehicles provide a sense of freedom and speed that larger crafts just can’t deliver. Whether you are doing donuts with friends and family or jumping wakes of larger boats, jet skis are a unique experience. Unfortunately, because of their size and speed, jet skis can be easily missed by other boats, putting jet ski drivers and their passengers in a lot of danger. Every year, people get hurt or killed in jet ski accidents across the country. If you’ve been injured in such a collision and believe the boat accident wasn’t your fault, it may be time to seek legal counsel.
Who Regulates Sacramento Boating Accidents?
Anyone operating a boat in the United States must adhere to federal regulations established and enforced by the Coast Guard. This includes keeping life preservers and distress signals on board at all times as well as other safety equipment approved by the Coast Guard. Whenever a boating collision occurs, it must be reported to the Coast Guard.
The California Department of Boating and Waterways (CDBW) also governs recreational activities on the state’s rivers, lakes and reservoirs. It defines a boating accident as any incident that involves the death or disappearance of a person, injury requiring more than first aid, or property damage exceeding $500 for the vessels involved, including the loss of a vessel and damage to docks and other infrastructure. Whenever a boating accident occurs, it must be reported to the CDWB.
Serious Accidents Involving Jet Skis
The Demas Law Group, P.C., is experienced in maritime law and we know the terrible damage an out-of-control boater or fellow jet skier can cause. Unlike accidents on land between two vehicles, there’s the additional threat of water and other boats and jet skis to deal with once an accident has happened. These factors, made worse by the lack of basic protection on a jet ski, often leave riders with terrible injuries. Depending on the speed of the collision and the size of the other vehicle involved, jet skiers typically experience one or more of the following injuries:
- Severe abrasions, lacerations, and fractures
- Serious head, neck, and spinal trauma
- Brain damage due to near-drowning
- Loss of vision or hearing
- Organ failure
The medical bills and long-term expenses connected with these injuries can be astronomical. In a very short amount of time, your insurance can be pushed to its limit and your savings all but drained because of hospital bills. So, don’t wait until it’s too late. Get the financial compensation you deserve for an accident you didn’t cause. Call the Demas Law Group, P.C., today at (916) 764-3059 to schedule an appointment.
How Could This Happen?
Following a severe accident, it’s only natural to question: What caused this accident? Who is to blame for this accident? In some situations, the accident wasn’t under anyone’s control and everyone involved was carefully observing the proper rules and regulations. But in personal injury law, we’re concerned with the individuals who ARE NOT paying attention. Those who choose to act recklessly and whose actions fall well below the standard of care required when out on the water. Like irresponsible drivers on the road, negligent boat captains are the cause of many accidents. Some examples of such behavior include:
- Being drunk or under the influence while piloting a boat
- Failing to observe safe speeds and distances
- Not following basic maritime law
- Improper maintenance on the boat itself
- Carrying too many people on the craft
Are All Watercraft (Boats & Jet Skis) Operators Required to Abide by Regulations in Sacramento?
A boat is legally defined as any watercraft from a rubber raft to a cabin cruiser. This includes personal watercraft such as WaveRunners, Jet Skis, and SeaDoos, which are actual models of Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Bombardier.
Both the Coast Guard and the CDBW place a tremendous amount of responsibility on the operator of the boat or personal watercraft. Operators must maintain a safe speed, keep a lookout for other vessels, and ensure that any occupants of the boat follow safety rules, such as wearing life jackets and not sitting on gunwales. When these rules are broken, the operator is by definition negligent.
Contact a Boating Accident Lawyer in Sacramento Today!
If you’ve been injured in a watercraft accident because of another person’s negligence in Sacramento, you are legally entitled to compensation for your injuries. But because boating accidents fall under federal and state jurisdiction, filing a claim can be very complex. That’s why you need an experienced attorney from Demas Law Group, P.C., on your side.
