After a jet ski accident, you may be left with serious injuries. As with any personal injury claim, insurance companies complicate the recovery process by shifting blame to reduce or deny claims. They use South Carolina’s “modified comparative negligence” law to argue that you were partially at fault, which reduces your compensation. If they succeed in assigning you 51% or more of the blame, you lose the ability to recover any compensation at all.
Insurers cite a variety of boating regulations to shift responsibility away from their policyholders. For example, they will claim you violated boating laws requiring jet ski operators to maintain safe speeds and respect no-wake zones. Even when another party’s negligence caused the accident, insurers will focus on whether you made minor mistakes to reduce or eliminate their liability.
At Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers, we understand how insurers shift blame when accidents happen on the water. Because boating accidents involve a different set of regulations than car crashes, insurers often use that confusion to their advantage. Our jet ski accident lawyers in Charleston investigate the accident, identify all liable parties, and gather evidence linking their negligence to your injuries.
From negotiating with insurance companies to taking your case to trial if necessary, our Charleston personal injury lawyers handle the entire process for you. And you don’t have to worry about upfront costs. With the A&A Zero Fee Guarantee™, we’ll handle your case at no out-of-pocket cost to you, and you won’t owe us anything unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Call us now for a free consultation.
Why Choose Auger & Auger for Your Jet Ski Accident Case?
When insurers try to shift blame and minimize payouts after a jet ski accident, there’s too much at stake to go it alone. Insurers know how to use South Carolina’s modified comparative negligence system and state boating laws to make it appear like you were at fault.
Since 1995, Auger & Auger has been protecting injured victims like you from these blame-shifting strategies. With over $100 million recovered for our clients and a 99.5% success rate, we know how to take on these tactics and protect your right to financial recovery.
Our jet ski accident attorneys in Charleston fight to protect your claim by:
- Preparing evidence-backed cases: We have investigation methods for maritime accidents, which may involve working with boating safety and accident reconstruction specialists or subpoenaing marina surveillance footage or on-board GPS data.
- Challenging insurer blame-shifting: Insurance companies will claim that jet ski operators entered a no-wake zone improperly or failed to maintain a safe distance. We anticipate these arguments and fight back by proving that the other party’s violations, like reckless speeding or alcohol use, are what truly caused the accident. When insurers attempt to shift blame, we present the evidence needed to hold them liable.
- Fighting for fair recovery: Insurers will offer lowball settlements or deny your claim outright. We challenge bad-faith tactics and prepare your case for trial if necessary.
- Putting you first every step of the way: As a family-run firm, we understand how important it is to keep accident victims and their families updated and supported throughout the entirety of their claims. We work to take the stress off your shoulders.
At Auger & Auger, we understand the unique challenges of jet ski accidents, and we know how insurers exploit them to their advantage. With our experience and personalized approach, we offer the chance to seek what a liable party owes you.
How Insurers Shift Blame to Nonparties in Jet Ski Accident Claims
In January 2026, South Carolina’s Tort Reform and Liquor Liability Act (Act 42) went into effect, giving insurers a new tool to reduce or entirely avoid paying legitimate claims. Act 42 allows them to shift blame away from their policyholder and onto nonparties, or individuals or entities not directly named in your case.
Depending on the circumstances, insurers may argue that boating companies, rental operators, third-party boaters, or other entities contributed to the accident.
Insurers argue that someone who isn’t part of your lawsuit, such as a boat rental shop that allegedly failed to inspect their equipment, contributed to the accident, making it harder to seek compensation from their policyholder.
What Our Charleston Jet Ski Accident Attorneys Do to Protect Your Claim
At Auger & Auger, we know how to dismantle insurers’ arguments that attempt to make use of Act 42. To refocus liability onto their policyholder, our Charleston jet ski accident attorneys obtain evidence that demonstrates how the other party acted negligently on the water and link that behavior to your accident injuries.
We do not rely on insurance adjusters to get those facts right. We have our own investigation team to secure evidence early on through subpoenas for GPS data and demand letters to preserve any other sensitive documentation. We build trial-ready claims from day one so that you are ready to file a lawsuit.
Protecting Your Claim With Our A&A Zero Fee Guarantee™
After a jet ski accident, the clock starts ticking on your ability to file a lawsuit, and insurers are well aware of this. Under South Carolina Code of Laws § 15-3-530, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file. Insurers will use delays and low initial offers to push you up against the statute of limitations so that you lose your right to seek any compensation from the liable parties.
We know how time-sensitive your case is. Since our Charleston jet ski crash attorneys operate under our A&A Zero Fee Guarantee™, you don’t have to delay hiring legal help because of financial concerns. Instead of requiring retainers or fees to get started, we handle your case without charging you anything out of pocket. This allows us time to file your lawsuit well before the statute of limitations expires.
Call Us for Help From Our Charleston Jet Ski Crash Attorneys
When recovering from jet ski crash injuries, you shouldn’t have to worry about how you’re going to afford the treatment you need or make up for lost time at work. You don’t have to stand up to insurers alone, either.
At Auger & Auger, we take care of every part of the legal process, including dealing with blame-shifting tactics from liable parties. You won’t need to speak with adjusters or negotiate a settlement; we do it all for you.
With our A&A Zero Fee Guarantee™, there are no upfront costs, and you won’t owe us anything unless we recover compensation for you. Call us today for a free consultation to get started.
