$22.1M SETTLEMENT catastrophic brain injury due to a defective product $6.5M SETTLEMENT catastrophic catastrophic personal injury case settled in federal court $5.0M SETTLEMENT catastrophic car accident involving a defective tire $3.0M VERDICT catastrophic defective tire case - Bridgestone + Ford $2.2M SETTLEMENT catastrophic pedestrian accident resulting in a pelvic injury $1.0M SETTLEMENT catastrophic automobile accident fatality case $1.0M SETTLEMENT catastrophic defective tire accident resulting in a brain injury
Espanol
(855) 529-0269

Risks of Jet Skiing

Posted on

Who doesn’t love the thrill of zipping up and down Florida’s Atlantic coast on a jet ski? These recreational vehicles are a great way to catch some waves and have fun in the sun, but not without some risk. Before you climb aboard a jet ski, make sure you’re prepared!

Inspecting Your Equipment

Whether you rent or own, it’s important to inspect your jet ski and safety gear prior to going out for a spin. If you’re renting, make sure it’s from a reputable company that follows Florida’s laws for liveries including a check ride, pre-rental instruction, and posted safety information.

  • Check for any visible signs of damage, especially on the underside of the jet ski.
  • Start the motor and listen to ensure everything sounds like it is in working order.
  • Make sure you have enough fuel to return to shore after your ride.
  • Check your personal flotation device (PFD) to ensure there are no rips, frayed straps, or broken closures.

Find a Personal Injury Lawyer, Near Me

(855) 529-0269

Prepare For Your Jet Ski Ride

  • If the driver was born on or after January 1, 1988 he/she must complete a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators boating education course and have obtained a boating education ID card as well as a photo ID.
  • Wear appropriate safety gear such as a wetsuit, goggles, gloves, and water shoes.
  • Attach the stop lanyard to your wrist, PFD, etc.
  • Check the weather to ensure no storms are expected and watch the marine report for choppy water, rip currents, and wind advisories.
  • Ride only in spots well away from swimming areas, marinas, “no wake” zones.

Follow the Florida Jet Ski Laws

  • Riders must be at least 14 years old to operate and  18 years old to rent a jet ski.
  • Riders must either have an observer on board watching the driver’s surroundings for hazards or if riding solo, use a wide-angle rear-view mirror.
  • Riders may not operate a jet ski 1/2 hour after sunset or 1/2 hour before sunrise.
  • Riders must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD of type I, II, III or V.
  • Riders must not operate a jet ski while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • If a jet ski is being towed by another vessel, the vessel operator must not tow them close enough to a fixed object or another vessel if it creates a risk of collision.

Call or text Chalik & Chalik

(855) 529-0269
Motor Vehicle Accidents News:
One Dead In Sarasota Hit And Run Accident

WWSB ABC Channel 7 News / Mysuncoast.com reported recently that a hit-and-run motor vehicle accident along U.S. Federal Highway 41 in the Sarasota area on the evening of Tuesday, March 30, 2021 led to the death of a local motorist. According to a press release issued by officials with the Florida Highway Patrol, the incident...

A 15-Year-Old Teen Is In A Coma After A Dangerous ATV Accident

While an ATV can be a fun way to spend an afternoon off-road, the term “all-terrain vehicle” may be a bit of a misnomer. These recreational vehicles are not, in fact, meant for all types of terrain. This leads to several accidents annually according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Data reveals that there are...

Sailor on Motorcycle Killed By Driver Under the Influence

Motorcycles are a popular mode of transportation, but they are inherently more dangerous than passenger vehicles. In 2017, nearly 5,000 people were killed on motorcycles, which has decreased from 2016. However, motorcycle fatalities occur 28 times more often than other passenger vehicles per mile traveled. They have the highest percentage of any other vehicle type...

Father And Son Injured in Jet Ski Accident

The first thing that many people think of when they hear the words personal watercraft (PWC) is fun on a lake or out in the ocean. Yet, according to the United States Coast Guard, PWCs have a higher rate of collision than any other type of watercraft. There are several reasons why. For instance, a...

Motor Vehicle Accidents Blog Posts:
The daily commute can be stressful. More Intersection Traffic Cameras May Be on the Way in Palm Beach County

The daily commute can be stressful. A lot of drivers are in a rush to get to work on time, which might lead to reckless behaviors like running red lights that can put others at risk. Palm Beach County commissioners have decided not only to keep the traffic cameras that issues automatic tickets for traffic...

Any traumatic event outside your control, such as a plane crash or natural disaster, can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Caused By Auto Accident

PTSD Developed After a Catastrophic Car Crash Caused By a Negligent Driver Any traumatic event outside your control, such as a plane crash or natural disaster, can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This psychological condition is underlined by unreasonable fear and the anxiety that you will never be safe again. Find a Personal Injury Lawyer,...

Some people have a hard time imagining that golf carts, which most people use to drive from the 4th green to the 5th tee, or to get their mail from the mailbox, can be dangerous. Just a Few Stories Underline the Hidden Dangers of Florida Golf Cart Accidents

Some people have a hard time imagining that golf carts, which most people use to drive from the 4th green to the 5th tee, or to get their mail from the mailbox, can be dangerous. However, the reality is that Florida golf cart accidents are on the rise. Golf carts can be involved in dangerous...

On March 26, 2008, a construction crane in downtown Miami collapsed. Florida Federal OSHA Crane Regulations

On March 26, 2008, a construction crane in downtown Miami collapsed. Part of the crane plummeted onto a structure 30 stories below, killing two Florida construction workers. Just days before the deadly Florida crane accident, a similar construction tragedy occurred in New York City. Investigations by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) both found...