Fort Myers Jet Ski Accident Lawyer
Jet skiing is extremely popular in Fort Myers, from jet skiing on the Caloosahatchee River to enjoying jet skiing and other water sports at beaches including Fort Myers Beach and others in the area. Jet skis are a type of personal watercraft (PWC), which can be a fantastic form of recreation. Yet serious PWC injuries can also occur for many different reasons. If another party’s negligence resulted in a jet ski or another type of PWC injury, you could be eligible to file a claim for compensation. There are state-specific laws in Florida governing PWCs, and maritime law may apply to certain types of jet skiing accident claims. Contact our experienced Fort Myers jet ski accident lawyer today to learn more about your options for seeking compensation after a jet ski accident.
What are Jet Skis and Personal Watercraft in Fort Myers?
What is a jet ski? According to Oxford Dictionary, a jet ski is “a small jet-propelled vehicle that skims across the surface of water and typically is ridden like a motorcycle.” Jet skis are just one type of PWC. Indeed, there are many different types of personal watercrafts that are popular among Fort Myers residents and visitors alike. Other common types of PWCs include WaveRunner vehicles and Sea Doos.
According to the Florida Statutes, a personal watercraft is defined as “a vessel less than 16 feet in length which uses an inboard motor powering a water jet pump as its primary source of notice power and which is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel, rather than in the conventional manner of sitting or standing inside the vessel.” PWCs are types of recreational vessels, which can include vessels that are “manufactured and used primarily for noncommercial purposes,” or vessels that are “leased, rented, or chartered to a person for his or her noncommercial use.”
Common Causes of Fort Myers Jet Ski Accidents
When people rent jet skis or purchase jet skis for personal use in Fort Myers, it is essential to keep in mind that these vessels are extremely dangerous. While they are popular recreational vessels, they can move at extremely high speeds, and riders do not have any physical protection in the event of a collision or another kind of accident. Common causes of jet ski accidents in Fort Myers include but are not limited to the following:
- Inexperience of the jet ski or PWC operator;
- Drunk or drugged jet skiing;
- Aggressive or reckless jet skitting, including traveling at speeds that are not safe or driving the jet ski in a reckless or aggressive manner;
- Dangerous water conditions, including storms; and
- Mechanical issues with the jet ski or PWC.
Contact Frank D. Butler Today
Jet ski accidents and other accidents involving PWCs can be catastrophic and even fatal. If you or somebody you love got hurt in a jet ski or PWC accident in Florida, it is critical to get in touch with an attorney who can help you with your claim. Contact our experienced Fort Myers jet ski accident lawyer today.
