Minnesota Personal Watercraft Accident Lawyers

It’s no wonder that the popularity of personal water crafts and jet skis has skyrocketed over the last 15 years. These machines are just plain fun and can be a great way to enjoy the lakes and rivers of Minnesota and Wisconsin. But too often, the fun turns into tragedy.

Despite soaring profits that have accompanied the growth of personal water craft and jet skis, manufacturers have been slow to respond to dangerous defects that cause unnecessary personal injuries.

For example, most jet skis and personal water crafts are designed to carry passengers on the back half of the jet skis’ long seats. Every year, dozens of passengers on jet skis fall off the back of the machines and into the craft’s jet wash. Passengers who fall into the craft’s jet wash are susceptible to life-changing orifice injuries. We have seen cases where passengers literally had their orifices ripped open and bowels destroyed. Manufacturers like Kawaski, Yamaha, and Sea Doo know about these hazards but haven’t done enough to protect passengers from sustaining these horrific personal injuries. Most of these personal injuries wouldn’t have happened if the manufacturer had simply designed in some solid grasp handles for passengers and a seatback to keep passengers from falling off the back.

Likewise, most personal water craft and jet skis are designed in a way that prevents drivers from turning if they are not applying throttle. Riders approaching potentially dangerous situations often instinctively slow down by letting off the throttle and rendering the craft incapable of being steered. Technology exists that would allow operators to steer even when throttle wasn’t being applied, but manufacturers have been carelessly slow to adopt it, leading to senseless personal injures and death.

The personal water craft attorneys and jet ski lawyers at Champion Law have the experience and guts to take on the manufacturers and help personal injury victims get fair compensation. Contact our product liability lawyers today to discuss your personal water craft or jet ski injury.

*Nate Bjerke is the Chair of the Minnesota Association for Justice Product Liability Committee