If you or someone you love was injured in a jet ski accident, the first thing to do is seek immediate medical care. If possible, document the accident scene with photos or videos and collect witness contact information. As soon as your injuries are stable, you can start learning what you must do to recover damages from the at-fault party.
An Atlanta jet ski accident lawyer can help you understand your rights as the injured party. They can also help you identify the liable party and their insurance company and manage all the moving parts of your personal injury or wrongful death insurance claim or lawsuit.
Report Your Jet Ski Accident to All Appropriate Parties
A police report, Coast Guard, marina, or other accident report will capture many important details of the accident. It can tell you:
- The name(s) of anyone injured in the accident
- The name of the jet ski owner and their insurer
- The accident’s date, time, and location
- Descriptions of damage to one or both watercraft
- Descriptions of any readily apparent injuries
- Report-generated notes, diagrams, and photos
Obtain a copy of your accident report and review it in detail. Keep one copy for your personal records and give one to your personal injury lawyer, if applicable.
Exchange Only Necessary Information
You may need to exchange certain information with the police or other officials who arrive at the boating accident scene. You and the liable party should share identifying details and insurance information. Avoid placing blame or saying or signing anything that might later harm your injury claim.
If you have hired, or are considering hiring, a local jet ski accident attorney, allow them to speak on your behalf and review any written document before you sign it.
Your personal injury attorney can also explain Georgia’s contributory negligence law and how it might affect your claim. According to O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33, any compensation you receive can be reduced by the percentage of the accident’s fault apportioned to you. This makes proving the cause of the accident critical.
For a free legal consultation, call 404-214-2001
Keep Getting Jet Ski Injury-Related Medical Care Until Your Physician Releases You
They might seem small compared to boats, but jet skis move through the water quickly, and a collision can leave you with catastrophic injuries. Some of the most commonly reported jet ski accident injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Deep bruises
- Pelvic injuries
- Bone fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe lacerations
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
These injuries can require short-term and long-term medical care. Keep track of your medical records and all the medical bills you receive related to your injuries. These costs may be recoverable as part of your injury claim.
Keep up with your medical treatment, and ask your doctor to provide all information about your prognosis and anticipated future necessary medical care in writing. This step is important since your compensation request should include all the medical treatment you need to achieve maximum medical improvement, including expenses you may incur after your personal injury attorney resolves your claim.
Track All Other Accident-Related Expenses and Losses
In addition to medical expenses, you should track all the other costs of the accident. Your recoverable damages may include:
- Current and future loss of income—Full and part-time wages, hard-to-prove income (like gig-economy wages), and lost vacation days and benefits
- Lasting impairments—Disfiguring injuries and future treatment for these injuries
- Pain, suffering, and inconvenience—The physical discomfort of your injuries, the rigors of your recovery, and mental and emotional anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life—The inability to participate in previously enjoyed hobbies and pastimes
- Property damage: Costs associated with repairing or replacing your jet ski or other damaged property
If your family lost a loved one in a jet ski accident, keep all bills and receipts related to the costs of making their final arrangements. Damages in wrongful death claims can also include loss of the decedent’s financial and household contributions and loss of consortium and companionship.
Ensure You Understand and Meet Georgia’s Jet Ski Accident Lawsuit Filing Deadline
The window of opportunity to file a civil personal injury lawsuit is generally limited to two years, according to O.C.G.A § 9-3-33. If you do not file your lawsuit within the allotted time:
- The court will not allow you to file or dismiss it immediately
- The insurer may stop settlement negotiations
This outcome could leave you with no legal way to compel the negligent party to compensate you. If that happens, the financial burden of the accident will fall on you and your family. Act quickly to avoid this costly consequence.
Learn Everything Possible About the At-Fault Party’s Insurance Coverage
For insurance purposes, a jet ski is considered a personal watercraft (PWC), and while owners must legally register jet skis in Georgia, jet ski insurance is not mandatory. This can make your financial recovery options complicated if you were hurt or lost a loved one in an accident.
Post-accident compensation options may include:
- Filing a claim against the owner’s jet ski or PWC insurance policy
- Filing a lawsuit against the owner of the jet ski directly
Suing for damages can mean a plethora of paperwork and filing fees. It can be especially trying if you are simultaneously coping with your injuries and the recovery process. This is why you should consider hiring a jet skiing accident attorney after a personal watercraft accident.
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Consult Our Jet Ski Accident Legal Team Today
If you or a loved one was injured or a loved one was fatally injured in a jet ski accident, you could be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries and related expenses. Our jet ski accident lawyers will file your insurance claim or lawsuit so you can focus on recovering.
At Kaine Law, we know what to do after a jet ski accident to help you get compensation. Get started immediately by contacting one of our team members now for your free consultation.
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
