When we think of boating accidents in New York City, we often picture fast pleasure craft smashing into debris and obstacles in the river or massive tankers and other commercial craft crowding out much smaller boats. But one danger on the rivers and waterways surrounding New York City often goes unnoticed-until it’s too late. Personal watercraft (Jet Skis, Sea-Doos, and other high-powered craft) zip along these waterways at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour, endangering not only the riders but also innocent victims out for a fun day of recreation in the hot summer sun.
According to the United States Coast Guard, 18% of all reported boating accidents involved some sort of personal watercraft. These fast little machines resulted in 46 deaths and 624 injuries nationwide last year. And while it’s difficult to calculate the exact number of personal watercraft involved in boating accidents in New York (due to reporting inconsistencies) it’s clear that these watercraft are involved in an inordinate amount of collisions each year.
But not every personal watercraft user is a daredevil. It’s clear that a small number of reckless operators have given personal watercraft a bad name in the city. Speed, alcohol use, and driver inexperience are three of the top contributing factors to boating accidents in New York City – including those involving personal watercraft.
By not acting reasonably on the waterways or acting in a careless or reckless manner, the operator of a personal watercraft can be held legally liable in the event of an accident. That means, if you were injured by a careless or intoxicated driver, the operator could be held financially responsible for your injuries, unpaid medical expenses and lost time from work from the date of the accident into the future.
Get the legal help you need to get the compensation you deserve. Contact an experienced New York City boating accident attorney at the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel at 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 today for your free initial consultation.