Defective Jetskis: When a Day on the Water Turns Dangerous

Jet skis are meant to deliver excitement, not injury. These high-powered watercrafts offer fast-paced fun on lakes, rivers, and coastal waters, but the outcome can be catastrophic when something goes wrong due to a mechanical defect or faulty design.

Every year, riders are injured or killed in jet ski accidents, not always because of operator error, but because the machine itself fails to function properly. Victims and their families may have a legal right to seek compensation when that happens.

At Morgan & Morgan, we help people injured by defective recreational products hold manufacturers and distributors accountable. If you were hurt in a jet ski accident caused by a product defect, we’re ready to help you take action.

When Jetskis Malfunction

Jet skis, or personal watercraft (PWCs), rely on high-powered engines and propulsion systems to reach top speeds. However, their complexity also introduces risk, especially when corners are cut in design, manufacturing, or safety testing.

Some of the most common jet ski defects include:

• Throttle or steering failure: If you can’t control speed or direction, the risk of collision or ejection increases dramatically.
• Electrical malfunctions: Faulty ignition systems or wiring can cause sudden engine loss or dangerous surges.
• Hull or body integrity issues: Cracks or structural flaws can lead to water intake, instability, or sinking.
• Defective braking systems: Newer models include braking or deceleration features, and if those fail, crashes can be severe.
• Fuel system leaks or explosions: Faulty fuel lines or tanks may lead to onboard fires or dangerous vapor buildup.
• Improper safety shut-off systems: A kill switch or lanyard that doesn’t function correctly can keep the jet ski running after a rider has fallen off.

Jet ski defects are especially dangerous because they often occur at high speeds and on open water, leaving little time to react and no margin for error.

Jet Ski Accident Injuries

Because of the forces involved and the exposure of riders, jet ski accidents can result in serious, life-changing injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can occur from impact with water, other vessels, or the jet ski itself.
• Spinal cord injuries can lead to partial or full paralysis.
• Severe lacerations or blunt force trauma from falls or collisions.
• Burns or explosions due to onboard fuel system failures.
• Broken bones and joint dislocations from sudden ejections or high-impact crashes.
• Drowning or near-drowning injuries, particularly if the rider is unconscious or unable to swim after a fall.

Many of these injuries could be avoided with properly designed safety features and well-functioning components.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

If a defective jet ski caused your accident, you may have a product liability claim against one or more responsible parties:

• The manufacturer, for defective design or poor quality control during production.
• Parts manufacturers, if a specific component (like the throttle or fuel system) was faulty.
• Distributors or retailers, who may have sold a jet ski with a known issue or failed to honor a recall.
• Rental companies, if they knowingly provided defective or poorly maintained equipment.

Like other product liability cases, claims often fall into one of three categories:

• Design defects: The watercraft was unsafe even when used as intended.
• Manufacturing defects: A production flaw caused the jet ski to malfunction.
• Failure to warn: The company didn’t provide proper safety instructions or didn’t disclose known risks.

Even if the injury occurred during recreational use, manufacturers and rental providers still have a legal duty to ensure the safety of their equipment.

What to Do After a Jet Ski Injury

If you or a loved one was hurt in a jet ski accident and suspect a defect was involved, take these steps:

• Seek medical attention immediately and follow up on all treatment.
• Preserve the jet ski, if possible, don’t allow it to be repaired or discarded.
• Document the scene, including photos of the watercraft, your injuries, and any witnesses or surroundings.
• Collect records, purchase agreements, rental contracts, repair history, and manufacturer information.
• Contact a product liability attorney as soon as possible to begin an investigation.

How Morgan & Morgan Can Help

Our attorneys have the experience and resources to hold manufacturers accountable, even in complex cases involving marine vehicles. We partner with mechanical engineers, safety experts, and accident investigators to identify product failures and build strong legal claims.

We may be able to help you recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income or future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Long-term disability or wrongful death

Jet Skis Are Built for Speed, Not for Injury

If a defective personal watercraft turned your day on the water into a medical emergency, you deserve justice. Let us help you hold the responsible parties accountable and get the compensation you need to move forward.

Contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free case evaluation. Because when manufacturers cut corners, we cut through the noise, For The People.