View from shore of jet ski and boater on northwest Georgia lake.

Get Help From Calhoun’s Trusted Jet Ski Accident Lawyers

With decades of experience serving Calhoun and northwest Georgia, The McMahan Law Firm is equipped to handle your jet ski accident case efficiently while offering personalized service. Don’t face the insurance companies alone. Our team knows what it takes to hold negligent operators, rental companies, and manufacturers accountable. Get a FREE case review today.

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Experienced Jet Ski Accident Lawyers in Calhoun, GA

If you were injured in a jet ski accident on Lake Allatoona, Carters Lake, or anywhere in Georgia, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and permanent injuries. Jet ski crashes may occur due to reckless boaters, design and manufacturing defects, inexperienced riders, or rental company negligence. Deferred maintenance and improper training or supervision also play a role.

At The McMahan Law Firm, our experienced Calhoun jet ski injury attorneys will investigate the cause of your accident, identify every responsible party, and work tirelessly to hold them accountable while you focus on healing. It’s easy to get started.

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Getting Help Is Simple

Recovering from your injuries is difficult, but we’ll make the process of recovering damages related to your Calhoun accident as easu as possible for you.

You May Deserve to Be Paid

Being injured in an accident that was caused by someone else’s reckless behavior and getting left with the bill isn’t fair. You deserve compensation for what you’ve been through. We’ll fight for every penny you’re entitled to.

No Fee Until We Win

You shouldn’t have to worry about costly legal fees before securing help with your claim. That’s why you won’t owe anything upfront unless we win for you. This begins with your free case review.

Table of Contents

Top Causes of Jet Ski Accidents

Personal watercraft (PWC) sold under brand names like Jet Ski®, WaveRunner®, and Sea-Doo® account for nearly 20% of boat accidents according to the U.S. Coast Guard’s 2024 Recreational Boating Statistics. Every year, approximately 600 people die in personal watercraft accidents. Here are some of the most common contributing factors, with operator-related errors being the overwhelming cause.

  • Improper lookout
  • Operator inexperience
  • Maritime rules violations
  • Excessive speed
  • Operator inattention
  • Alcohol use
  • Equipment failure
  • Wake and boat traffic

Who’s Responsible for Jet Ski Accidents?

Determining liability in a jet ski accident can be complex, especially under Georgia law. Usually, the boat owner or operator is responsible, but rental companies and equipment manufacturers may also be responsible. It’s not uncommon for several parties to share liability depending on how the accident occurred. The following parties could be liable after a jet ski accident in Georgia:

  • Boat operators who are responsible for maintaining control of their watercraft or vessel
  • Boat owners who permit an unqualified person to operate the watercraft
  • Another jet ski or boat passenger who caused or contributed to the collision
  • A rental company that failed to maintain equipment or provide proper instruction
  • Event organizers or tour companies that offer group rides or excursions
  • Equipment manufacturers that sell defective products or fail to warn of possible dangers
  • Businesses that sell alcohol to a visibly impaired operator

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Elements of Proof in Jet Ski Accident Cases

Jet ski cases often involve holding a negligent operator accountable or proving that a manufacturer was liable for your injuries. Each type of claim requires different evidence to meet the standard of proof.

Most jet ski accident claims are based on the legal theory of negligence. This means that a party caused your injuries by failing to exercise reasonable care. To prove negligence in Georgia, you must show:

  1. Duty of Care: The at-fault party had a legal responsibility to operate their boat or jet ski in a reasonably safe manner.
  2. Breach of Duty: The at-fault party violated the duty of care through their actions or inactions, such as ignoring boater safety rules.
  3. Proximate Cause: The breach must be the direct cause of your injuries. In other words, the accident would not have happened if the at-fault party had acted responsibly.
  4. Damages: You must show that you suffered verifiable losses as a result, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Helpful Evidence 

  • Accident reports 
  • Witness statements 
  • Photos/videos 
  • Medical records 
  • Rental agreements 
  • Liability waivers 
  • Safety logs 
  • Expert testimony

Some jet ski accidents are caused by mechanical issues and design defects, such as steering failures, throttle problems, electrical malfunctions, inadequate warning labels, and design flaws that make the watercraft inherently unsafe. Some personal watercraft have been recalled due to dangerous passenger seats, fuel system issues, and capsizing risks. To build a successful product liability claim, your attorney must show:

  1. Product Defect: First, your attorney must prove that the product was dangerous due to a manufacturing defect, a dangerous product design, or improper safety warnings.
  2. Existence at Time of Manufacture: Your attorney must show that the watercraft was defective when it left the manufacturer’s control. It doesn’t matter if the company knew or should have known of the defect. However, this could strengthen your case.
  3. The Defect Caused Your Injuries: As with negligence cases, the cause of the accident must be directly connected to the legal issue in question.
  4. You Suffered Damages: The final step involves showing that you experienced measurable losses as a result, such as medical bills and property damage.

Helpful Evidence

  • The defective product
  • Engineering assessments
  • Product recalls
  • Maintenance records
  • Expert testimony
  • Product tests

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Injuries Linked to Jet Ski Accidents & Collisions

Jet ski riders face a risk of serious injuries because personal watercraft offer little to no physical protection. In the event of an impact, riders can be thrown into the water or into another vessel or stationary object. Even if a rider falls off the back of a jet ski, they may sustain severe external or internal injuries caused by the water jet propulsion system. Here are a few of the most common injuries linked to jet ski collisions.

  • Head injuries and concussion
  • Back and spinal cord injuries
  • Bone fractures affecting the arms, legs, or torso
  • Lacerations caused by propellers and debris
  • Sprains, contusions, and soft-tissue injuries
  • Blunt-force trauma causing internal injuries or organ damage
  • Drowning or near-drowning injuries, including hypoxia
  • Facial injuries and dental trauma

What Compensation Is Available for Jet Ski Injuries?

A jet ski accident may leave you with serious injuries and substantial medical bills. A personal injury lawyer can help you seek compensation from the at-fault party or their insurance company. Damages recovered through a lawsuit or insurance settlement reimburse you for financial and personal losses related to the accident.

Economic damages compensate you for actual financial losses, such as lost wages or unexpected bills. Your attorney can help you value the following expenses.

  • Medical expenses, including emergency medical care, physical therapy, and medications
  • Future medical costs for long-term disabilities or permanent injuries
  • Lost wages during your treatment and recovery time
  • Decreased earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work
  • Property damage and repairs to your jet ski or personal items
  • Home or vehicle modifications needed due to your injuries
  • Other out-of-pocket expenses, such as transportation to medical appointments

Non-economic damages cover intangible losses related to the accident. Here are a few examples.

  • Pain and suffering during the accident and recovery period
  • Emotional distress, including anxiety, PTSD, or a fear of drowning
  • Loss of enjoyment of life if you’re unable to partake in your hobbies
  • Compensation for permanent or disfiguring injuries, including scars
  • Loss of companionship for family members who were impacted by your injuries

Jet ski accidents can be fatal due to drowning or sudden impacts. If you lost a loved one after a jet ski accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Several types of compensation are available.

  • Lost income that the person would have earned until retirement age
  • Childcare and household services that the person typically provides
  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Any medical costs related to the injury
  • Pain and suffering prior to your loved one’s death
  • Loss of companionship and support for surviving family members

Our Results Speak For Themselves!

Motorcycle Accident

$1,250,000.00

Workers’ Comp/Third-Party

$8,000,000.00+

Motorcycle Accident

$1,000,000.00

Brain Injury

$950,000.00

Truck Accident

$850,000.00

Motorcycle Accident

$800,000.00

Truck Accident

$500,000.00

Motorcycle Accident

$500,000.00

Car Accident

$230,000.00

Workers’ Comp

$225,000.00

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Our Jet Ski Accident Lawyer in Calhoun, GA

Tennessee Personal Injury Lawyer Jay Kennamer

Attorney James Kennamer

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Calhoun Jet Ski Accident FAQs

What you do after a jet ski accident is important for your health and safety as well as the outcome of your case. Here are few general steps to take:

  1. Get to safety, and seek medical attention.
  2. Report the crash to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
  3. Exchange information with the boat owner or operator.
  4. Collect evidence, including photos, videos, and witness contact information.
  5. Contact a local jet ski injury attorney before speaking with the insurance company.

If the insurance company doesn’t make a fair settlement offer or if the other boater doesn’t have insurance, you may have to sue to recover compensation. In Georgia, you have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for personal injuries according to Ga. Code Ann. §. 9-3-33. To avoid missing important deadlines, speak to a lawyer as soon as possible.

Working with a lawyer is often the key to building a successful case. Jet ski accidents are more likely to involve disputed liability, limited insurance coverage, and complex boater safety regulations. An experienced lawyer can investigate the cause of the jet ski accident, determine who is at fault, and identify applicable insurance policies. Attorneys also understand how to calculate your economic and non-economic losses to help you recover full compensation for your injuries and property damage.

At The McMahan Law Firm, it doesn’t cost anything upfront to have our Calhoun jet ski accident lawyer review your case. We use a contingency billing agreement, so we only get paid if we recover compensation for you.

Ask a Jet Ski Injury Attorney About Your Case Today!

At The McMahan Law Firm, we are dedicated to representing individuals and families who have been affected by jet ski collisions and other recreational accidents. We understand the stress, uncertainty and pain that you’re experiencing, and we’re here to help. With over 275 years of combined experience, our legal team has the knowledge and resources needed to investigate your case and hold every responsible party accountable for their actions.

Find out if you could recover damages for medical care, property damage, and other losses. It doesn’t cost anything to get started. Contact us online to schedule a free consultation. You don’t pay anything unless we win.

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