Jet Ski Accident Claims Guide – How To Claim Compensation For A Personal Injury On A Jet Ski?

Jet ski accident claims guide

Jet ski accident claims guide

By Joanne Jeffries. Updated July 29th 2021. Welcome to our jet ski accident claims guide. When you’re on holiday abroad, you’ll often see people jet skiing on the beach or in lagoons and might be tempted to have a go yourself. Some people use them in the UK too as a pastime, hobby or even compete in competitive sports. While riding a jet ski can be fun, if you’re involved in a jet ski accident, you could suffer some very serious injuries. If the accident was caused by somebody else’s negligence, you might be entitled to claim compensation using a no win no fee solicitor. In this guide we’ll look at the types of injuries that could be claimed for following a jet ski crash, when somebody else might be liable for your injuries and how much compensation you could be entitled to.

Accident Claims UK are personal injury claim specialists. Our team of advisors are happy to provide you with free guidance on the claims process. They’ll also assess your claim for free to see if you could be awarded compensation. If they believe you could, they might introduce you to a personal injury solicitor to help you make a claim. To discuss your claim with one of our specialist advisors right away, please call 0800 073 8801 today.

Alternatively, to find out more about when a claim could be made if a jet skier is injured, please continue reading.

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A Guide To Jet Ski Injury Claims

While there is an obvious risk involved with riding a jet ski, it could still be possible to claim compensation for injuries sustained in a jet ski accident in certain circumstances. We’ll examine those circumstances throughout this guide. In terms of personal injury claims, the general test of eligibility is to see if you can answer yes to the following questions:

  • Was somebody who owed you a duty of care negligent?
  • Did that negligence cause an accident to happen?
  • Were you injured in that accident?
  • And, finally, are you claiming within the 3-year personal injury claims time UK limit.

Usually, the time limit will begin on the date of the accident. It could also commence from the date you become aware of your injuries if this is later (which might be the case if you were incapacitated following your accident).

In this guide, we’ll look at some common jet ski injuries that can occur, the main causes of accidents and also provide some advice for loved ones who’d like to claim following a deadly jet ski accident. While fatal accident claims can be quite complex, our team can help take the stress out of making a claim.

If you do decide to begin a claim for a jet ski accident, you’ll need some evidence to help back up your assertions. Therefore, if possible, we recommend that you:

  • Photograph any defect that you believe caused your accident.
  • Ask any witnesses for their details.
  • See if anybody was recording you riding the jet ski at the point of the accident, if so ask for a copy.
  • Request copies of medical records from any doctor that treated you.
  • Report the accident to the jet ski hire company (or holiday provider if they sold you the jet ski excursion). Also, ask for a copy of the accident report.

For further advice about lodging a claim, please call an advisor for free claims advice.

What Is A Jet Ski Or Personal Watercraft Accident?

In general terms, a jet ski accident is one in which the injured party claims compensation because they believe that somebody else was to blame for the accident. That means that if you were injured on a jet ski because you weren’t following safety guidelines, were showing off or messing around, then a claim wouldn’t be possible.

As with a motorcycle accident, jet skis offer very little protection in the event of an accident. This means that any form of jet ski accident has the potential to cause life changing injuries. A jet ski head injury has the potential to cause concussion or a brain injury and a jet ski back injury could lead to long term mobility problems.

Your claim could be against a jet ski hire company, another jet skier or somebody in charge of a different type of sea vehicle who you believe was to blame for your accident.

Causes Of Jet Ski And Personal Watercraft Accidents

While we could help you claim for any type of jet ski accident, there are some that are more common than others. The following list provides details of these. It’s worth bearing in mind that not all of these would mean you would be entitled to compensation. The most common causes of accidents include:

  • Missing or defective safety equipment.
  • Inadequate training provided by a hire company and inexperience of the rider.
  • A mechanical fault with the jet ski.
  • Riding the jet ski with excessive speed.
  • Unsafe handling of other vehicles in the immediate vicinity.
  • Dangerous conditions.
  • Riding a jet ski while under the influence of alcohol (or drugs).

Common Jet Ski And Personal Watercraft Injuries

As with the previous section, we could help you make a claim for a jet ski accident no matter what injury you sustain. However, we’ve listed some of the most common injuries that can be caused by jet ski accidents below:

  • A head injury or concussion.
  • Wrist fractures or a broken wrist.
  • A crush injury and crushed limbs.
  • Whiplash injuries.
  • Burns, cuts and bruises.

If you’ve suffered an injury while riding a jet ski, please call an advisor to see if you could be eligible to make a compensation claim.

Safety For Riding Jet Skis And Personal Watercraft

There are a number of safety regulations regarding the use of jet skis and personal watercraft. However, they can vary from country to country. Here are some examples which might be imposed.

  • The horsepower of the jet ski could be restricted to a certain level.
  • The age of riders of jet skis is usually restricted to those over 18-years old.
  • A remote-controlled safety cut out, or kill switch, is usually a requirement.
  • Some countries limit the use of jet skis to specific areas of a beach that are patrolled by coastguards.
  • Training should be provided to all users prior to being allowed on the jet ski.
  • It is not permitted for riders to be intoxicated.

These safety rules are put in place to ensure the risks to riders and others in the water are reduced.

Claims For Slipping Or Falling Off A Jet Ski

There are times when you could claim for slipping or falling off of a jet ski if it caused you to suffer an injury. For instance, if the jet ski was faulty or not checked to be working correctly and the fault caused you to fall, then you might be entitled to compensation.

However, if you fell from the jet ski because you weren’t riding it correctly or not following the safety instructions provided, you wouldn’t be able to claim for a fall.

Claims If Struck By A Jet Ski

Being hit by a jet ski can cause very serious injuries, especially in high speed collisions. To work out whether you could claim compensation, the accident would need to be assessed fully. There are times when the rider could be held liable for the accident. In others, the hire company might be to blame. However, there are certain circumstances where you could be to blame for the accident yourself.

For example, if the area for jet skiing was cleared marked and you swam into the area then you probably wouldn’t receive any compensation. Essentially, a jet ski accident is similar to a road traffic accident claim. The accident needs to be assessed to find out who was liable. If you were hit by a jet ski and either the rider or the owner was found to be to blame, then you could be entitled to begin a claim.

Please call an advisor who’ll help work out whether you have a valid claim or not.

Fatal Jet Ski And Personal Watercraft Accident Claims

If a loved one is killed in a jet ski accident, you could claim compensation to cover things like repatriation, funeral costs and to provide financial support for any dependants.

While no amount of money will compensate for the loss of a loved one, the compensation could help you ensure the loss doesn’t cause long-term financial problems. Please call an advisor to discuss if you could make a fatal accident claim.

Could You Still Claim Compensation If You Signed A Waiver?

In most cases, when you hire a jet ski, you’ll be asked to sign a waiver. You might think this prevents you from going on to claim compensation for any injuries. However, that’s not always the case. In general terms, a waiver is used to show that you understand that jet skis are risky by their very nature and that you understand the risks involved. You also sign to say you’ve been trained properly in the use of the jet ski.

You could still claim for an accident caused by the negligence of the hire company though. For instance, if the jet ski was damaged or poorly maintained, you could still claim compensation if that was the cause of an accident which led to your injuries.

Could I Claim Compensation For An Accident On A Jet Ski Abroad?

While the rules for making a compensation claim for an accident abroad might be more complex than claiming in the UK, they are still possible. The rules are usually the same: somebody else’s negligence needs to have caused the accident in which you were injured.

If you believe you have been injured on a jet ski while on holiday because somebody else was negligent, call an advisor to see if you have a valid claim. Our solicitors are based in the UK but could help you make claims for accidents abroad. If they agree to take on your claim, it will still be on a no win no fee basis,

How To Avoid An Injury On A Jet Ski

As we’ve explained, there are a number of different accidents that can occur while riding a jet ski. However, there are steps that can be taken to help avoid an injury. These include:

  • Controlling your speed to help you maintain control of the vehicle.
  • Stay within permitted areas where marked out.
  • Don’t ride in dangerous conditions.
  • Remember that, due to the power of jet skis, even the slightest turn can cause a loss of control. Therefore, ensure you control turns carefully.

Jet Ski Accident And Injury Compensation Claims Calculator – Updated July 2021

One of the first things we’re asked by potential clients is how much compensation they’ll receive. This is actually quite hard to predict before a full assessment of the claim has been conducted. However, to help give you an idea of what you could receive for certain injuries, we’ve included the personal injury claims calculator table below.

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Injury Type Severity Payment Range Comments
Neck Severe In the region of £139,210 This range covers the most severe injuries such as those that lead to permanent spastic quadriparesis or incomplete paraplegia.
Neck Moderate £23,460 to £36,120 Covers neck injuries including dislocations and fractures which lead to severe immediate pain and could require spinal fusion.
Neck Minor Up to £2,300 Minor soft tissue damage where full recovery takes less than 3 months.
Back Severe £85,470 to £151,070 The most severe type of back injury which causes damage to the nerve roots and spinal cord. These will usually result in incomplete paralysis as well as significant impairment to bowel, sexual or bladder function.
Back Minor £2,300 to £7,410 Less serious strains and soft tissue damage which recovery occurs between 3 months an 2 years without any surgery.
Arms Less Severe £18,020 to £36,770 Serious fractures of one or both arms causing a permanent disability.
Wrist Minor £3,310 to £4,450 Soft tissue damage or very minor undisplaced fractures of the wrist.
Legs Serious £36,790 to £51,460 Injuries which lead to instability, a long period of non-weight bearing or prolonged treatment including serious compound fractures.
Knee Moderate £13,920 to £24,580 A knee injury which leads to a minor instablity or mild disability. Injuries could include a torn meniscus or cartilage.
Foot Moderate £12,900 to £23,460 An example in this category would be a displaced metatarsal fracture leading to a permanent deformity.

Don’t worry if you can’t see your injury from a jet ski accident listed in the table. This is just a sample. We could help with any type of injury, so long as the accident was caused by somebody else’s negligence.

The figures demonstrate how important it is to prove the severity of your injuries. That’s why our solicitors insist that your injuries are assessed by an independent doctor. By using their report with other evidence, our solicitors can demonstrate how you were affected by the accident and try to ensure you receive the right level of compensation.

Special Damages In Jet Ski Injury Claims

When you claim for a jet ski accident, your solicitor can make two different types of claim. A general damages claim and also a special damages claim. General damages are paid for physical and psychological injuries. The previous section’s table contained examples of general damages compensation amounts.

Special damages are awarded to cover financial losses incurred because of your accident. They can include many different elements. These can include:

  • Care Costs.
    If you suffer so much that you need a professional carer to support you during your recovery, then you could claim back their fees. Also, if you are cared for by a friend or relative, it might be possible to claim for the time they spent caring for you.
  • Medical Costs.
    The cost of prescriptions and over the counter medication can soon build up, especially for long-term injuries. Therefore, you could include these costs within the special damages bracket.
  • Travelling Expenses.
    Some injuries can mean that you’re unable to drive for a while. If that’s the case, you might be able to claim for any alternate travel arrangements you need to use. Furthermore, you could claim for the cost of travelling to and from medical appointments for treatment.
  • Loss of Earnings.
    It’s often the case that you’ll need time off work to recover from an injury after a jet ski accident. If that means that you lose some of your income, you could claim the loss back. When your injuries affect your ability to work for a longer period, you could include the future loss of earnings in your claim as well.

Before you commit to an expense, we recommend that you check with your solicitor to see if it could be claimed back within your claim. Also, keep hold of receipts to help prove your spending.

No Win No Fee Jet Ski And Personal Watercraft Accident Claims

The cost of hiring a personal injury solicitor can worry many new clients. It could even put them off from claiming altogether. That’s why, our solicitors work on a no win no fee basis for any claim they take on.

We strongly believe that as many people should be able to claim as possible without worrying about the solicitor’s fees. Our no win no fee service removes a lot of stress and financial risk from the claims process.

When your solicitor agrees to take on your case, they’ll provide you with a conditional fee agreement (or CFA). This is simply another name for a no win no fee agreement.

The CFA protects you because it states, in black and white, that you’ll only pay the solicitor’s fees if they win compensation for you. Also, to avoid any confusion when a claim is settled, the CFA will explain what success fee you’ll pay should the claim be settled in your favour.

Success fees are the method used to cover the solicitor’s fees. Legally, they can be no longer than 25% of your compensation. The fee is deducted from your compensation by the solicitor before the rest is paid directly to you.

Why Choose Us To Handle Your Jet Ski Accident Claim?

Hopefully, the information we’ve provided so far has shown how we can help you make a claim. However, should you need them, here are some more reasons why we believe you should let us represent you:

  • Our team of solicitors have been helping with personal injury claims for up to 30 years.
  • The claims line is available 7-days a week, 24-hours a day.
  • Our advisors offer free legal advice. They’ll also provide a no obligation assessment of your accident claim.
  • Previous clients have provided excellent feedback on our services.
  • Our solicitors always work hard to ensure you receive the right level of compensation. They’ll also try to resolve claims as efficiently as possible.

If you have any questions about the services we offer and why you should use us, please call an advisor today.

Start Your Jet Ski Accident And Injury Claim

We hope that you found this guide about no win no fee jet ski accident claims useful and that you’d like to use us to handle your claim. If so, here are the methods you can use to contact us:

Whichever method you choose to report your jet ski crash, our advisors will start by listening to what happened. They’ll then review the evidence you have to support your claim in a free, no obligation assessment. If your case is deemed to be strong enough, you could be introduced to a personal injury lawyer to take on your case. Remember that we won’t place any pressure on you to proceed and you’re under no obligation to continue if you decide not to.

Essential References

Now that you’ve read this guide about claiming for a jet ski accident, we’ve decided to provide you with some more useful resources.

Burn Injury Claims – This guide provides a more in-depth guide to the types of accidents which can lead to a personal injury claim following a burn.

Holiday Accident Claims – A guide which you may find useful if you suffered a jet ski injury while on holiday abroad.

Whiplash Injury Claims – Although not specifically about jet ski injuries, this guide explains in more detail the symptoms and treatment available for whiplash injuries.

Water Safety Resources

Finally, here are some guides and resources regarding water safety that you might find useful.

Annual Fatal Incident Report – This resource, from the National Water Safety Forum, provides annual statistics on fatalities in water-based accidents.

Water Sports Safety Abroad – A guide from UK charity ROSPA on how to stay safe when participating in water sports on holiday.

Personal Water Craft Proficiency Course – Information on what’s required to pass this Jet Ski proficiency course.

FAQ on jet ski accident claims

Jet Ski Accident Media Reports

According to media reports from 2020, parents were increasingly worried by 3 fatalities involving jet skis in the summer months of 2020. In one incident, an off-duty policeman was fatally injured when he fell from a jet ski in Pwllheli, North Wales. He was an RNLI crew member. In another, a collision between a powerboat and a jet ski led to a 52 year old woman losing her life in the Menai Strait. If this wasn’t devastating enough, a 22 year old died in May 2020 when he fell off a jet ski he had only purchased that morning. He was taken to hospital after the incident but later died of his injuries.

Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8652669/After-three-fatalities-just-summer-heartbroken-parents-despair-dangers-jet-skis.html

Are jet ski accident injuries always caused by inexperience?

Sadly, media reports seem to suggest that inexperience is not always the cause of fatal jet ski injuries. In 2015, a jet ski rider with experience on the water perished after crashing into another rider.

How do I prove a jet ski accident caused my injuries?

When you make a claim of this nature, you would need to attend an appointment to have an independent medical assessment. During this appointment, an independent medical professional would ask you questions and examine your injuries. Once they had all the information they needed, they could put together an important piece of evidence, a medical report. Your lawyer and the courts could use the report to decide how much compensation could be appropriate for your jet ski accident claim.

Thank you for reading our guide on jet ski accident claims.