WaveRunner® Accident Lawyer in Foley, AL

Boating accidents involving WaveRunners® and personal watercraft (PWC) are a serious concern in Foley, Alabama. According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Recreational Boating Statistics, PWCs are the second most common type of vessel involved in accidents after open motorboats. Personal watercraft sold under brand names like WaveRunner®, Jet Ski®, and Sea-Doo® account for 18% of boating accidents and 9% of fatalities.

If you were hurt in a WaveRunner® accident caused by a reckless boater, defective product, or improper maintenance, a WaveRunner® accident lawyer in Foley can help you pursue compensation from the manufacturer, rental company, or at-fault boater. There’s no cost and no risk to see what your case is worth.

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How an Attorney Can Help After an Accident on the Water

Nobody plans to get injured on vacation, and the aftermath of a jet ski or WaveRunner® accident can be overwhelming to navigate on your own. A Foley jet ski injury lawyer can provide valuable information and advice to help you navigate the legal process and receive compensation for your medical care and personal losses. At Long & Long Injury Attorneys, our primary goal is to build a strong case that maximizes your financial recovery. Here’s how our legal team can help you:

Ongoing Support: We’re here for you every step of the way. Our team is always happy to answer your questions, provide case updates, and address any concerns that you may have.
Consultation: We offer free case reviews to determine if you have a case. There’s no obligation to hire us, and you only pay for our services if we win.
Investigation: A jet ski accident attorney can help to investigate the cause of the accident and gather critical evidence, including accident reports, maintenance logs, medical records, and witness statements.
Valuation: Accurately calculating your total damages is the first step needed to ensure that you receive fair compensation. Our attorneys will help you calculate all past and future expenses, including medical bills, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity.
Negotiation: Your lawyer will handle communications with the insurance company to protect your rights and counter tactics that could delay or undervalue your claim.

Why Choose Long & Long as Your WaveRunner® Accident Lawyer in Foley?

What You’ll Get When You Work With Us

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24/7 access and support
Proven track record of great results

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We take it from here — building your case and fighting for maximum compensation.

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Your only job now is to rest, recover, and let us handle your case.

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“Most people come to us on one of the worst days of their lives and they don’t know what to do. We work injury cases every single day, and we know how to make the legal process as easy as possible for our clients and maximize results.”

- Attorney Earle Long IV

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Top Causes of WaveRunner® Accidents in Foley, AL

While causes of WaveRunner® and jet ski accidents vary, most are caused by preventable human errors. If a boat or jet ski operator causes an accident due to negligence, they can be held liable for damages. Understanding the most common causes of jet ski and WaveRunner® accidents is the first step to holding the negligent party accountable.

Reckless Boating

Boaters traveling too fast, weaving through boat traffic, or following other vessels too closely are leading causes of PWC collisions.

Boating Under the Influence (BUI)

Drugs and alcohol can severely impair an operator's judgment, coordination, and reaction time, which greatly increases the risk of an accident. Intoxication plays a role in many serious and fatal boating accidents across Alabama.

Violating Navigation Rules

PWC operators have a duty to follow the same navigational rules as other boaters. Deadly accidents can occur if boaters or jet ski riders fail to yield the right-of-way, speed through no-wake zones, or ride in dangerous conditions.

Defective Equipment

Some PWC accidents are caused by defective equipment rather than operator errors. Mechanical issues can be traced back to improper maintenance, manufacturing defects, and faulty product designs. Dangerous steering and throttle components have been subject to numerous product liability claims.

If you or a loved one suffered an injury on the water due to someone else’s negligence, get a free case review with Long & Long Injury Attorneys today.

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Injuries Associated With Personal Watercraft Accidents

WaveRunners® and jet skis accelerate quickly and are designed to be operated at high speeds, which can lead to severe injuries in the event of an accident. Here are some of the most common injuries associated with jet ski and WaveRunner® accidents in Foley:

Head and Brain Injuries: Jet ski collisions can cause traumatic brain injuries and skull fractures if the rider hits their head.
Spinal Cord Injuries: The force of the impact can fracture one’s vertebrae or spinal cord, leading to nerve damage or paralysis.
Internal Injuries: Blunt force trauma from a collision or contact with water jets can cause organ damage, internal bleeding, and other life-threatening conditions.
Broken Bones and Fractures: It’s common for PWC accidents to cause broken bones. Fractures often affect the arms, legs, ribs, and face.
Lacerations: Accidents can cause deep cuts, scrapes, and severe bruising that can lead to infections and permanent scarring.
Drowning: If a rider is unconscious or severely injured, they may drown or be dragged in the water after being ejected from the watercraft.

The severity of your injuries and the extent of the damages you suffered will impact the compensation you’re entitled to. To learn whether you have a case–and what it could be worth–contact us for a free case review.

Get Help With Your WaveRunner® Accident Case

If you were hurt in a jet ski or WaveRunner® accident in Foley, reach out to an attorney at Long & Long for help with your case. Our team will evaluate the details of your case to determine whether you are eligible for compensation. If so, we’ll get to work immediately to investigate the accident and collect evidence. When you hire us, you don’t have to pay any upfront fees, and our team will make sure you are taken care of every step of the way. There’s no risk and no obligation to see what your case could be worth.

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How to Prove Negligence in WaveRunner® Accidents

If your accident was caused by another boater, you must meet specific legal standards to prove negligence. These requirements apply to accidents where a boat operator or rental company caused or contributed to the accident. Your attorney will need to prove 4 things in order to win your case:

1. Duty of Care

The first step is to show that the at-fault party owed you a duty of care. This is a legal obligation to operate their watercraft in a reasonably safe and careful manner. If you rented a jet ski, you can show that the rental company had a duty to provide equipment in good working condition.

2. Breach of Duty

Next, your attorney must show that the defendant breached this duty of care by failing to exercise caution or follow recognized boating laws. Examples include boating under the influence, distracted boating, or speeding through a no-wake zone. Jet ski rental companies may breach the duty of care by failing to maintain equipment or train staff members.

3. Causation

The third element requires your attorney to show that the breach of duty was the direct cause of the accident. In other words, you would not have been injured if the other party hadn’t breached their duty of care.

4. Damages

Finally, your lawyer must prove that you were harmed as a direct result of the breach. You can prove damages by providing copies of medical bills and proof of property damage. Your attorney can also help you seek compensation for intangible losses, such as pain and suffering or psychological trauma.

Compensation for WaveRunner® Accident Injuries

A WaveRunner® or jet ski accident can leave you with substantial medical bills, physical pain, and permanent injuries. You may be unable to work during your recovery, which can add to the financial strain and amplify the stress you’re feeling. Depending on the details of your case, you may be entitled to the following types of damages: economic, non-economic, and punitive.

Economic Damages

Economic damages compensate you for monetary losses, such as past and future medical care required to treat your injuries, loss of income or earning capacity, property damages, etc.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate you for harm that does not have a clear monetary value. These damages can include physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life related to the accident.

Punitive Damages

In some jet ski accidents involving gross negligence, the court may award punitive damages. This monetary compensation is awarded to the plaintiff but is intended to prevent future misconduct by punishing the defendant. In cases of wrongful death, punitive damages are the only type of compensation that can be sought.

To learn what type(s) of compensation you could be eligible for, contact us to discuss your case with a member of our team for free.

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What to Do After a Foley WaveRunner® Accident

After a WaveRunner® or jet ski accident, your main focus is to get to safety. The actions you take immediately following an accident can have a significant impact on your health and ability to build a successful injury claim. Follow these steps to protect yourself physically, legally, and financially:

Move to Safety: Your first step is to move to a safe location, either on dock or on shore. To prevent further injuries, you may need to activate the engine kill switch and use a distress signal to call for help. Nearby boaters may be able to come to your aid or contact the Coast Guard for assistance.
Document the Scene: If possible, take time to gather evidence. Use your phone to take pictures or videos showing injuries, property damage, weather conditions, and boat traffic.
Exchange Information: Collect contact information and insurance details from any other boaters who were involved in the accident. If anyone else saw the collision, ask for their contact information so that your lawyer can get a witness statement.
Seek Medical Attention: Once you’re in a safe location, check yourself and any passengers for injuries. Seek medical attention right away to document your injuries and connect them to the accident.
Report the Accident: Alabama law requires boaters to report any accident resulting in injuries, death, or over $2,000 in property damage. Reports can be made through the Law Enforcement Agency Marine Patrol Division.
Never Admit Fault: Avoid apologizing for the accident or admitting blame, even if you’re just trying to be polite. Any admission of fault can be used against you and could affect your right to compensation.
Contact a Jet Ski Accident Lawyer in Foley: Before you give a recorded statement to the insurance company or accept a settlement, consult with an experienced Foley jet ski accident lawyer to understand your rights.

Foley WaveRunner® Accident FAQs

How much does it cost to hire a WaveRunner® accident lawyer?

It does not cost anything upfront to hire one of our WaveRunner® accident attorneys in Foley. Like most personal injury lawyers, we work on a contingency basis. This means you only pay for our services if we recover compensation for you through a settlement or a court verdict. If your claim is successful, any legal fees will be deducted from the final payment.

How long do I have to file a jet ski injury claim in Foley?

In Alabama, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is 2 years from the date of the accident. This means you must file a lawsuit within this timeframe, or you will lose your right to compensation. While there can be rare exceptions, it’s wise to seek legal advice promptly to ensure that your attorney has enough time to gather evidence and build a strong case.

If I was partially at fault for the accident, can I still recover compensation?

Unfortunately, Alabama is one of the few states where you can be barred from recovering compensation if you are just 1% at fault. However, don’t assume that you cannot file a lawsuit. Always speak to an attorney to understand your legal rights and how Alabama's contributory negligence law works.

Can I sue the jet ski rental company if I signed a waiver?

Liability waivers are common in the recreation industry, but they aren’t always enforceable. Courts may void the waiver due to ambiguous language or attempts to shield the company from all types of negligence claims. If your jet ski accident was caused by improper maintenance, inadequate training, or another mistake, you may have a case against the rental company.

What happens if I was hit by an uninsured or underinsured boater?

Unfortunately, Alabama does not require boaters to carry mandatory liability insurance. If you were hit by an uninsured or underinsured boater while jet-skiing, you may be able to seek compensation through uninsured/underinsured boater coverage or by filing a lawsuit against the at-fault boater. Speak to an attorney to determine all possible sources of compensation for your injuries and other losses.