Living in Florida or visiting the state affords countless opportunities to enjoy the many waterways and oceanfront areas that it has to offer. One of the most popular pastimes for residents and tourists is using or renting jet-skis.
Although the fast and agile vehicles are a great way to experience the water and get a new perspective on Florida's coastline, they may also be dangerous.
At the Blakeley Law Firm, Fort Lauderdale jet ski lawyer Jarrett Blakeley can help victims of boating accidents involving jet-skis seek the compensation they deserve from another party that has acted negligently. Blakeley Law Firm makes it a point to get to know each client personally, and takes pride in fighting hard to assert their rights.
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Pursuing Damages
A jet-ski accident usually gives rise to a type of personal injury case known as a negligence claim. This means that the plaintiff must prove that the defendant behaved carelessly in causing the accident. In most situations, the defendant must have failed to act with the same ordinary care and skill that a reasonably prudent person would have used in a similar situation.
Applied to a jet-ski accident, this standard probably would involve a consideration of whether the defendant operated the jet-ski or boat appropriately in view of the water, weather, and maritime traffic that existed at the time of the collision. If a defendant failed to act in accordance with this standard, it is called a breach.
After showing that the defendant's conduct fell below the required level of care, the plaintiff must establish that his or her harm occurred as a result of that failure. There must be a reasonably foreseeable causal link from the carelessness to the accident.
In many cases, an expert reconstructionist may be enlisted to describe how the accident happened. This may be complex if the defendant is arguing that the victim's own carelessness contributed to the accident.
Another step of a personal injury action involves submitting information supporting the amount of damages that the plaintiff is seeking in the lawsuit. These may be both economic and non-economic. Economic damages typically include medical bills, lost wages, the costs of future treatment, and any property damage. Non-economic forms of compensation may account for any pain and suffering or emotional distress experienced because of the accident.
Enlist a Fort Lauderdale Lawyer When Bringing an Accident Claim
At Blakeley Law Firm, Jarrett Blakeley devotes his practice to representing accident victims across South Florida. Blakeley Law Firm understands how devastating this incident can be for you and your family.
Attorney Jarrett Blakeley has helped victims of boat and watercraft accidents and other preventable events in Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding areas of Broward County.
Blakeley Law Firm has also assisted accident victims in cities such as Oakland Park, Hollywood, Sunrise, and Pompano Beach. Call Blakeley Law Firm at (800) 602-5000 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.