Who is liable in a jet ski accident in Myrtle Beach depends on who caused or contributed to the crash. Liability may fall on the jet ski operator, a rental company, another boater, a manufacturer, or more than one party.
Jet ski accidents can happen near beaches, docks, marinas, rental areas, and crowded waterways. Some crashes are caused by reckless operation. Others involve unsafe rentals, poor instruction, defective parts, or another vessel that forced the rider into danger.
If you were hurt, a Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyer can help protect your rights.
Who Can Be Held Liable For A Jet Ski Accident In Myrtle Beach?
A person or business can be held liable for a jet ski accident in Myrtle Beach if their careless conduct caused or contributed to your injuries. The operator is often the first person reviewed, but that is not always where the claim ends.
A full liability review should look at how the jet ski was operated, who owned it, whether it was rented, how it was maintained, and whether any other vessel or person contributed to the crash.
Jet Ski Operators
A jet ski operator may be liable if unsafe operation caused the accident. This can include speeding, boating under the influence, sharp turns near other people, distracted operation, unsafe wake, failure to keep a proper lookout, failure to yield, or violating boating safety rules.
Operators are expected to use reasonable care on the water. Even if the operator did not intend to hurt anyone, careless conduct can still lead to liability.
Jet Ski Owners
A jet ski owner may be liable if the watercraft was unsafe, poorly maintained, or entrusted to someone who should not have been operating it. For example, an owner may share responsibility if the accident involved known steering problems, missing safety equipment, engine issues, or an operator who lacked the ability to use the jet ski safely.
Ownership can also raise questions about maintenance, storage, prior problems, and whether the owner knew or should have known the jet ski posed a risk.
Rental Companies
A rental company may be liable if its own conduct helped cause the accident. Rental businesses must provide reasonably safe equipment and follow applicable safety practices.
In South Carolina, certain operators must meet boater education requirements, and rental riders may need a valid rental safety certificate depending on their age and the watercraft involved.
Other Boaters
Another boater may be liable if that person caused the crash or forced unsafe movement on the water. This can happen when another vessel cuts across a jet ski’s path, creates an unsafe wake, ignores right-of-way rules, operates too close to swimmers or riders, or fails to watch for smaller watercraft.
In some cases, the jet ski operator and another boater may both share fault.
Tour Companies And Commercial Operators
A tour company, charter company, or other commercial operator may be liable if unsafe company practices contributed to the injury. This can include poor training, lack of supervision, overcrowding, unsafe routes, failure to monitor riders, or failure to keep watercraft in safe condition.
Manufacturers
A manufacturer may be liable if a defective part caused or worsened the crash. Defective steering systems, throttles, engines, fuel systems, hull components, or safety equipment can affect how an accident happens and how severe the injuries are.
What If More Than One Person Caused The Crash?
More than one person can be liable for a Myrtle Beach jet ski accident when several acts combine to cause the injury.
South Carolina uses modified comparative negligence in personal injury cases. If you are found partly at fault, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from recovering compensation.
What Evidence Helps Prove Liability In A Myrtle Beach Jet Ski Accident?
The evidence that helps prove liability in a Myrtle Beach jet ski accident is anything that shows how the crash happened and who failed to act safely. The earlier the evidence is gathered, the more useful it may be.
Helpful evidence may include:
- Photos or videos of the jet ski, other vessels, injuries, damage, weather, and water conditions.
- Names and contact information for witnesses, operators, passengers, and rental staff.
- Incident reports from law enforcement, marine patrol, or other responding agencies.
- Rental agreements, waivers, safety instructions, and payment records.
- Maintenance logs, inspection records, and repair history.
- Medical records connecting your injuries to the accident.
- Phone videos, action camera footage, GPS data, or app data.
- Messages with the rental company, operator, insurer, or other parties.
This evidence can help show whether the crash was caused by unsafe operation, poor maintenance, another vessel, a defective part, or shared fault.
How Long Do You Have To File A Jet Ski Accident Claim?
The time to file a jet ski accident claim is limited. In many South Carolina personal injury cases, the filing period is three years from the date of injury.
Some claims may involve shorter deadlines or different procedures. A claim involving a government entity, a commercial vessel, a defective product, or maritime law may require a different review.
Waiting can also make it harder to prove what happened. Witnesses may become harder to find, video may be deleted, and rental or maintenance records may be harder to obtain. If you were injured in a jet ski accident, it is best to review your options once your immediate medical needs have been addressed.
Talk To Auger & Auger About Liability For A Myrtle Beach Jet Ski Accident
Liability for Myrtle Beach jet ski accidents can easily involve more than one party. If you have questions about your claim, contact Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers.
We are a local, family-owned law firm that has served the Carolinas since 1995 and has recovered over $100 million for injured clients. Call now for a FREE consultation with one of our jet ski accident lawyers.
