- Cohen & Marzban - / - Practice Areas - /practice-areas - Jet Ski Accidents lazy 6f19f952-d3e4-49e7-a74f-dcb64b070586 # *Jet Ski Accident Attorney in Los Angeles* A fun day on the water shouldn't end in the emergency room. Get the compensation you deserve for an accident you didn’t cause. Over $2 billion recovered for injury victims. Let us fight for you. Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Attorneys Today! ## Los Angeles Jet Ski Accident Attorneys A jet ski accident can leave you with traumatic injuries, mounting medical bills, and questions no one prepared you for. Personal watercraft (PWC) crashes are among the most dangerous incidents on California waterways, and according to [U.S. Coast Guard recreational boating data](https://uscgboating.org/statistics/accident_statistics.php), personal watercraft remain one of the leading vessel types in reported recreational boating accidents and fatalities. At Cohen & Marzban, our experienced Los Angeles jet ski accident attorneys understand the unique mix of state boating law, federal maritime principles, and insurance tactics that shape these cases. Backed by more than 40 years of combined experience and over $2 billion recovered for injured clients, our jet ski accident lawyers in Los Angeles build aggressive cases against negligent operators, rental companies, and manufacturers so you can focus on your recovery. ## Common Causes of Jet Ski Accidents in Los Angeles Understanding why personal watercraft crashes happen helps our team pinpoint liability and build a stronger claim. As your trusted jet ski accident attorneys in Los Angeles, we investigate every contributing factor on the water and on shore. - **Operator inexperience:** Many riders climb onto a jet ski with little or no training. The [California Division of Boating and Waterways](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=28985) requires a California Boater Card for most operators, but rental customers and first-time riders often lack the skills to navigate wakes, boating traffic, or open water. - **Reckless and excessive speed:** PWCs can exceed 60 mph. Sharp turns, wake jumping, and aggressive maneuvers near other vessels cause some of the most serious jet ski collisions in Los Angeles County. - **Boating under the influence (BUI):** California law prohibits operating any vessel, including a jet ski, while impaired. Alcohol remains a leading factor in fatal boating accidents nationwide, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. - **Operator inattention:** Riders distracted by passengers, phones, or surroundings often fail to spot swimmers, kayakers, or moored boats until it is too late. - **Improper rental practices:** Rental companies that skip safety briefings, hand keys to underage riders, or release defective PWCs may share legal responsibility for your injuries. - **Defective equipment:** Failed steering, throttle malfunctions, faulty kill switches, or missing safety lanyards can turn a routine ride into a serious crash. - **Wake jumping and unsafe maneuvers:** California Harbors and Navigation Code prohibits jumping a wake within 100 feet of another vessel, yet this remains a frequent cause of jet ski collisions. - **Crowded waterways:** Marina del Rey, Long Beach Harbor, Castaic Lake, and the Los Angeles coastline experience heavy summer traffic, increasing the risk of collisions. - **Nighttime operation:** California prohibits PWC use from sunset to sunrise. Operators who break this rule create dangerous, often catastrophic conditions for others. ## What to Do After a Jet Ski Accident in Los Angeles The hours and days following a personal watercraft crash often determine whether you recover full compensation. Here is what every injured rider, passenger, or swimmer should do to protect their health and their claim. - **Get medical attention immediately.** Adrenaline and cold water can mask spinal injuries, internal bleeding, and concussions. A prompt medical exam also documents your injuries for the insurance claim. - **Report the accident.** Under the California Harbors and Navigation Code, operators must report any boating accident involving death, disappearance, injury beyond basic first aid, or significant property damage to the [Division of Boating and Waterways](https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/). - **Preserve evidence at the scene.** If safely possible, photograph the watercraft, your injuries, the location, water conditions, and any visible damage. Save the rental agreement, waiver, and receipts. - **Get witness contact information.** Other riders, boaters, lifeguards, and beachgoers may have seen what happened. Their statements can prove critical when insurers dispute fault. - **Do not give a recorded statement.** Insurance adjusters call quickly and ask leading questions designed to minimize your claim. Speak with a jet ski accident lawyer in Los Angeles before responding. - **Contact Cohen & Marzban as soon as possible.** PWC evidence disappears fast. Rental records get archived, surveillance footage at marinas gets overwritten, and witnesses become hard to track down. The sooner we begin investigating, the stronger your case will be. ## Common Jet Ski Accident Injuries Jet ski riders have no airbags, no seat belts, and no enclosed cabin. Even at moderate speeds, a collision or fall can cause life-altering harm. Our Los Angeles jet ski accident attorneys regularly handle cases involving: ## California Jet Ski Laws Every Rider Should Know Understanding California's PWC rules is essential for both safe operation and a strong jet ski accident claim. When another rider, operator, or rental company violates these statutes, that violation often serves as powerful evidence of negligence in your case. ## Compensation You May Recover After a Jet Ski Accident A successful jet ski accident claim can pursue both the bills you can count and the harm that is harder to put a price on. Our exceptional Los Angeles jet ski accident lawyers fight for every category of damages allowed under California law. ### Economic Damages These cover the financial losses you can document: - Emergency room, hospital, surgery, and rehabilitation costs - Future medical care for long-term or permanent injuries - Lost wages during your recovery - Loss of future earning capacity if your injuries prevent a return to work - Property damage to the jet ski, gear, or other belongings - Out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident ### Non-Economic Damages These compensate for losses that are real but harder to quantify: - Pain and suffering - Emotional distress, anxiety, and PTSD - Loss of enjoyment of life - Permanent scarring or disfigurement - Loss of consortium money damages for spouses Punitive damages may also be available in cases involving intoxicated operators or extreme reckless conduct. ### Operator Age and Supervision Under [California Harbors and Navigation Code § 658.5](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=HNC§ionNum=658.5.), no one under 16 may operate a PWC alone, and children under 12 generally may not operate one at all. Riders aged 12 to 15 may operate only with an adult 18 or older onboard who holds a valid California Boater Card. Rental companies that hand keys to underage riders may share liability for your injuries. ### California Boater Card Issued by the California Division of Boating and Waterways, the Boater Card is now mandatory for nearly every motorized vessel operator on state waters, including jet skis. The card requires completion of a state-approved boating safety course. Rental customers receive a temporary exemption, but rental businesses must still provide a documented safety briefing before launch. ### Mandatory Safety Equipment Every PWC must carry U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for the operator and every passenger, a B-1 Class fire extinguisher, a sound signaling device, and a working engine cutoff lanyard physically attached to the rider. Missing or defective safety gear, especially a disabled kill switch, can establish negligence against the operator, the rental company, or the manufacturer. ### Boating Under the Influence Under [Harbors and Navigation Code § 655](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=HNC§ionNum=655.), operating a jet ski with a BAC of 0.08% or higher is a criminal offense, with a 0.04% limit for commercial operators and zero tolerance (0.01%) for those under 21. BUI causing injury can be charged as a felony. A BUI conviction is powerful evidence of negligence in your civil claim and may support punitive damages. ### [Head and Brain Injuries](https://losangelespersonalinjury.attorney/practice-areas/brain-injury-accidents) Concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries are common when riders are ejected from a PWC or strike another vessel, dock, or buoy. ### [Spinal Cord Injuries](https://losangelespersonalinjury.attorney/practice-areas/spinal-cord-injury) High-speed impacts and forceful falls can cause herniated discs, vertebral fractures, and partial or full paralysis. ### [Broken Bones and Fractures](https://losangelespersonalinjury.attorney/practice-areas/broken-bones-and-fractures) Wrists, ribs, collarbones, and legs frequently break on impact with the water, the watercraft, or another object. ### Internal Organ Injuries The high-pressure water jet from a PWC nozzle can cause severe internal injuries, including orifice injuries that may require emergency surgery. ### Drowning and Near-Drowning Riders knocked unconscious or trapped under a vessel face the risk of drowning, even when wearing a life jacket. ### [Burn Injuries](https://losangelespersonalinjury.attorney/practice-areas/burn-injury-accidents) Fuel leaks and engine fires can leave riders with serious thermal burns requiring long-term care. ### Soft Tissue Injuries Whiplash, torn ligaments, sprains, and deep lacerations can cause chronic pain and limit mobility long after the accident. Available 24/7 ## Schedule a Free Consultation with a Jet Ski Accident Lawyer Today! Speak with a trusted Los Angeles jet ski accident attorney about your case, your rights, and the full compensation you deserve. No fees unless we win money for you! [Get a Free Consultation Today](https://losangelespersonalinjury.attorney/consultation) ## Injured on the Water? Get Honest Answers Now. Talk to an experienced jet ski accident lawyer in Los Angeles today. Free consultation. No fee unless we win. [Get a Free Consultation Today](https://losangelespersonalinjury.attorney/consultation) ## why us Why Choose Cohen & Marzban for Your Jet Ski Accident Case When you have been injured on the water, choosing the right legal representation can make all the difference. Cohen & Marzban stands apart as a trusted choice for jet ski accident victims in Los Angeles. - Decades of Personal Injury Experience - Founded in 1982, our firm brings over 40 years of combined experience handling complex personal injury and watercraft cases throughout California. - A Track Record That Speaks for Itself - We have recovered more than $2 billion in verdicts and settlements for injured clients, including serious motor vehicle, premises, and recreational accident cases. - Aggressive Advocacy Against Insurance Companies - Boat and PWC insurers are skilled at downplaying serious injuries. Our jet ski accident attorneys push back hard, in negotiation and at trial. - Access to Top Experts - We work with accident reconstruction specialists, marine safety experts, and medical professionals to build the strongest possible case. - Compassionate Client Support - You will never be a case number. We keep you informed, answer your questions, and bring our services directly to you across Los Angeles County. - No Fee Unless We Win - We handle every jet ski accident claim on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and nothing unless we recover compensation for you. ## our team Our Trusted Jet Ski Accident Attorneys in LA [More About Us](https://losangelespersonalinjury.attorney/about-us) ## Our cases Our Case Results [View All Cases](https://losangelespersonalinjury.attorney/results) ## testimonials Client Testimonials & Reviews [View All Testimonials](https://losangelespersonalinjury.attorney/reviews) ## locations Areas We Serve Our jet ski accident attorneys proudly serve injured riders, passengers, and swimmers throughout Los Angeles County and surrounding coastal and inland communities, including: - Beverly Hills - Santa Monica - West Hollywood - Hollywood - Downtown Los Angeles - Mid-Wilshire - Culver City - Inglewood - Pasadena - Glendale - Encino - Downey - Burbank [714 W Olympic Blvd STE 631, Los Angeles, CA 90015, United States](https://maps.app.goo.gl/4tZzuCnAsaMXv4yE6) (213) 513-6701 - Downtown Los Angeles Office - Our downtown office serves the heart of the city, including communities like - Echo Park, Silver Lake, Koreatown, and Boyle Heights. [12121 Wilshire Blvd Suite 103, Los Angeles, CA 90025, United States](https://maps.app.goo.gl/SVXjRJmXJwZfTnnx6) (213) 682-3452 - Westside Los Angeles Office - From our Westside office, we help clients in - Santa Monica, Venice, Westwood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, and surrounding areas. [225 S Lake Ave STE 300, Pasadena, CA 91101, United States](https://maps.app.goo.gl/8mTZkfFFBE1yH5Jo8) (213) 325-1072 - Pasadena Office - Our Pasadena office works with clients in the - San Gabriel Valley, Altadena, Glendale, and Burbank. [16000 Ventura Blvd Suite 701, Encino, CA 91436, United States](https://maps.app.goo.gl/gdCeYzSo9Bkaghtd9) (213) 772-3952 - Encino Office - Our Encino office caters to clients in the - San Fernando Valley, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, North Hollywood, and nearby communities. [View All Locations](https://losangelespersonalinjury.attorney/locations) ## FAQ Frequently Asked Questions **Yes.** Jet ski accidents fall under California personal injury law, and in some cases federal maritime law may also apply depending on where and how the crash occurred. An experienced jet ski accident attorney in Los Angeles can determine which legal framework gives you the strongest claim. - Are jet ski accidents covered by personal injury law? Passengers almost always have a strong claim. You can pursue compensation against the operator of the PWC you were on, the operator of another vessel, the rental company, or any combination of liable parties. - What if I were a passenger on the jet ski? Rental companies have a legal duty to maintain their fleet, screen renters, and provide adequate safety instruction. If they failed any of these duties, they may share liability for your injuries. - What if the jet ski was rented? California follows a pure comparative negligence rule. You can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, but your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. - What if I was partially at fault? The statute of limitations for most personal injury claims in California is two years from the date of the accident. Maritime claims can have different deadlines, so contact our skilled jet ski accident lawyers in Los Angeles as soon as possible to protect your rights. You don’t want to miss out on maximum compensation for your injuries and losses because you missed a filing deadline. - How long do I have to file a jet ski accident claim? We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront fees, and you only pay if we successfully recover compensation for you. - How much does it cost to hire a jet ski accident attorney? ## Contact Our Experienced Los Angeles Jet Ski Accident Attorneys Today A jet ski accident can leave you with serious injuries, mounting bills, and tough questions. The dedicated Los Angeles jet ski accident lawyers at Cohen & Marzban will investigate every detail, hold every negligent party accountable, and pursue the full compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation. Available 24/7. No fees unless we win. --- Cohen & Marzban — [https://losangelespersonalinjury.attorney/practice-areas/jet-ski-accidents](https://losangelespersonalinjury.attorney/practice-areas/jet-ski-accidents)