Articles Posted in Jet ski accident

The operator of Jet Ski Hits Two in Water

On May 2, 2020, Jonathan Liggett and his 8-year-old daughter, Madison, were in the water at Dog River in Mobile, Alabama, waiting to wakeboard when a speeding jet ski started coming directly toward them. They tried to yell at the operator of the jet ski, and Jonathan held his wakeboard in the air to avoid being hit but to no avail. Jonathan quickly pushed his daughter underwater in an attempt to prevent life-threatening injuries. Madison still sustained a fractured right hand, lacerations to her face, right hand, and left elbow as well as several bruises all over her body. Jonathan suffered injuries to his hands and knee. Both were wearing life jackets in the water.

Folsom Water Sport Accident Attorney
FOLSOM WATER SPORT ACCIDENT LAWYER

I’m Ed Smith, a Folsom Personal Injury Lawyer. It may be a few months before people in the rest of the country head out to lakes and rivers for some fun on the water, but Californians are blessed with some of the best weather in the country. Many take to the ocean, to rivers, and/or to lakes on the weekend to unwind with friends and family. Water sports like boating, jet skiing, water skiing and tubing are all popular throughout the country. As a Folsom water sport accident lawyer, and personal injury attorney for over three decades, I’ve helped countless victims recover compensation for injuries caused by the negligence of others.

boating accidentsBoating accidents are numerically much less common than car crashes, but the “typical” boating accident can result in much more significant injuries than the “typical” car crash. Obviously, most people involved in car crashes will be using seat belts and/or shoulder harness, and in most cars will have the benefit of air bags and other modern safety equipment. In a boating accident, about the most that can be hoped for in terms of safety equipment is that victims will be wearing life jackets that may save them from drowning if they’re ejected from the boat.

A recent example was a boating accident on the Sacramento River near Red Bluff that resulted in injuries to seven people, three of whom had to be taken to a hospital, one of those with significant head injuries who was transported first by ambulance and then by helicopter to a trauma center. Other injuries included a broken arm and hip for the man who was driving the boat. The accident apparently happened when the boat crossed the large wake of another boat, causing the driver to lose control and crash into a bridge piling where Interstate-5 crosses the river.

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

Accidents Involving Jet Skis

With Summer quickly approaching, we will start to see a lot of jet skis and wave runners on the Sacramento River and lakes in the region. Accidents involving watercraft can cause significant injuries or death. The U.S. Coast Guard reported that in 2013 there were 426 accidents involving watercraft in CA alone and over 4000 injuries nationwide. Additional statistics can be found here.  The primary injuries sustained in watercraft accidents are broken bones, lacerations, scrapes, and concussions.

jetski
Folsom Lake, Lake Berryessa, Rollins Lake – Sacramento is surrounded by scenic aquatic venues that provide the opportunity for jet skiing.  While spending an afternoon on a jet ski is most often nothing more than a fun and exciting recreational pursuit, accidents occur with alarming frequency and can result in surprisingly serious injuries or even death.   Common contributors to jet ski accidents include alcohol use, speed and inattention.  Perhaps the factor most responsible for such accidents is inexperienced operators or boaters.

Inexperienced jet skiiers – do NOT try these tricks!

Contact Information