Fighting for Jet Ski Accident Victims
Dedicated advocacy for jet ski and personal watercraft accident victims seeking maximum compensation. Serving Grand Rapids, Kent County, and all of Michigan.
Why Choose HOV Law
Fighting for
Jet Ski Accident Victims
PWC Injury Expertise
Jet ski accidents involve unique dynamics — high speeds, no protective barriers, and unpredictable water conditions. Our Grand Rapids attorneys understand how PWC collisions happen and build aggressive claims for injured victims.
Rental Company Liability
Many jet ski accidents involve rentals operated by inexperienced riders with minimal instruction. We hold rental companies accountable for inadequate training, poor maintenance, and failure to enforce safety rules.
Severe Injury Advocacy
Jet ski collisions at high speed produce devastating injuries — spinal trauma, internal organ damage, drowning, and ejection injuries. We fight for the full value of these catastrophic claims.
High Speed,
High Stakes
Jet skis can reach speeds over 60 mph with no seatbelts, no airbags, and no protective shell. When negligent operators, rental companies, or defective equipment cause a crash, the injuries are often catastrophic. We fight for victims who deserve full compensation.
Your Path to Recovery
We handle the legal complexities so you can focus on healing.
Free Case Evaluation
After a jet ski accident near Grand Rapids, contact HOV Law immediately. We'll review the circumstances of your crash, assess your injuries, and explain your legal options at no cost.
Accident Investigation
We investigate the cause of the jet ski accident — examining operator experience, speed, waterway conditions, rental company practices, equipment maintenance, and compliance with boating regulations.
Building Your Claim
We gather medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and expert analysis to build an evidence-based claim that proves negligence and documents the full extent of your injuries.
Aggressive Recovery
Whether through insurance negotiation or courtroom litigation, we pursue maximum compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term rehabilitation needs.
Grand Rapids Jet Ski Accident Lawyer — Aggressive Representation for PWC Injuries
Jet ski accidents are among the most dangerous recreational watercraft incidents, combining high speeds with zero occupant protection. If you were injured in a jet ski collision, ejection, or other personal watercraft accident near Grand Rapids, you may be entitled to significant compensation.
At HOV Law, we represent jet ski accident victims in Grand Rapids and throughout Michigan. Our attorneys understand the unique dangers of personal watercraft and the negligence that often causes these devastating crashes.
ZERO OUT-OF-POCKET fees. NO WIN, NO FEE.
Why Jet Ski Accidents Are So Dangerous
- Extreme Speed with No Protection—Modern jet skis can exceed 60 mph on open water. Unlike cars, there are no seatbelts, airbags, crumple zones, or roll cages. Riders are completely exposed to impact forces.
- Unpredictable Water Conditions—Waves, wakes from other boats, currents, and sudden weather changes create hazardous conditions that can cause riders to lose control or collide with obstacles.
- Inexperienced Operators—Many jet ski accidents involve renters or first-time riders with little understanding of how PWCs handle at speed. Jet skis respond differently than other watercraft, and inexperience leads to dangerous mistakes.
- No Braking System—Unlike cars or motorcycles, jet skis have no brakes. They rely on throttle-controlled steering, meaning riders who let go of the throttle in a panic actually lose the ability to steer and avoid collisions.
- Multi-Rider Risks—Passengers on jet skis face additional dangers from rear ejection, being struck by the craft after falling off, and being unable to control the situation when an operator makes an error.
Common Jet Ski Accident Injuries in Grand Rapids
- The high-speed, unprotected nature of jet ski riding produces severe injuries even in seemingly minor incidents. Common injuries our Grand Rapids jet ski accident attorneys handle include:
- Spinal Cord Injuries—High-speed impacts, ejections, and awkward landings can cause vertebral fractures and spinal cord damage, potentially resulting in paralysis.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries—Striking the water surface at speed, colliding with another vessel, or hitting a fixed object can cause severe concussions and traumatic brain injuries.
- Internal Organ Damage—The force of water entry during high-speed ejection can cause serious internal injuries, including ruptured organs, internal bleeding, and abdominal trauma.
- Drowning and Near-Drowning—Unconscious or injured riders can drown after being ejected into the water. Near-drowning incidents cause brain damage from oxygen deprivation.
- Broken Bones and Joint Injuries—Collisions, ejections, and impacts with the water surface frequently cause fractures to the wrists, arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.
- Lacerations and Disfigurement—Contact with the jet ski hull, intake grate, or propulsion system can cause deep lacerations and permanent scarring.
Jet Ski Rental Company Liability
A significant number of jet ski accidents involve rental watercraft. Rental companies in Michigan have legal duties to their customers and the public that, when violated, create liability for resulting injuries:
Rental companies must maintain their jet skis in safe operating condition. Mechanical failures — stuck throttles, steering malfunctions, hull damage — that cause accidents create direct liability.
Operators must be provided adequate instruction on jet ski handling, safety rules, and local waterway hazards before being allowed to ride. Quick, cursory briefings are often insufficient.
Age restrictions and licensing requirements must be enforced. Renting to underage or unlicensed operators who cause accidents exposes the rental company to significant liability.
If you were injured by a renter on a jet ski, or you were a renter who received inadequate instruction, HOV Law will investigate the rental company's practices and pursue all available claims.
Jet Ski Accident Laws in Michigan
Michigan regulates personal watercraft operation through its boating safety statutes. Operators must follow navigation rules, speed restrictions in designated zones, and age requirements. Violations of these laws strengthen negligence claims.
Boating Under the Influence (BUI) applies to jet ski operators just as it does to boat operators. An intoxicated jet ski operator who causes an accident faces both criminal charges and civil liability for injuries.
The statute of limitations for jet ski accident injury claims in Michigan is 3 years for personal injury (MCL § 600.5805). Michigan follows a Modified Comparative Negligence system: Michigan follows a modified comparative fault system. You can recover damages only if you are less than 50% at fault. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Contact HOV Law immediately after a jet ski accident near Grand Rapids to protect your rights and ensure critical evidence is preserved.
Michigan Laws That Affect Your Case
Statute of Limitations
In Michigan, you have a limited time to file your claim: 3 years for personal injury (MCL § 600.5805). Missing this deadline typically means you lose your right to compensation permanently.
“Time is your most valuable asset after an injury. Contact a Grand Rapids attorney immediately to ensure your claim is preserved.”
Modified Comparative Negligence
Michigan follows a modified comparative fault system. You can recover damages only if you are less than 50% at fault. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Michigan Insurance System
Michigan operates under a No-Fault (PIP required) system. Drivers choose PIP coverage levels; unlimited PIP was historically required but reformed in 2019.
Key Michigan Legal Facts
Local Knowledge: Grand Rapids
Local Waterways & Lakes
- Grand River
- Reeds Lake
- Lake Michigan (nearby)
- Thornapple River
- Flat River
Local Courts
- Kent County Circuit Court
- Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court
Areas We Serve Near Grand Rapids
- Wyoming
- Kentwood
- Walker
- Grandville
- East Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Landmarks
- Downtown Grand Rapids
- Grand River
- Frederik Meijer Gardens
What Compensation May Cover
Under Michigan law, you may be entitled to recover damages for the full impact of your injuries.
Economic Damages
- • Medical bills (past & future)
- • Lost wages & earning capacity
- • Property damage
- • Rehabilitation costs
Non-Economic Damages
- • Pain and suffering
- • Mental anguish
- • Loss of consortium
- • Physical impairment
Other Personal Injury Services in Grand Rapids
Also serving Grand Rapids for Criminal Defense:
Grand Rapids Jet Ski Accidents FAQs
Hurt in a
Jet Ski Accident?
You need an attorney who understands personal watercraft injury claims. Contact HOV Law today for a free consultation with a Grand Rapids jet ski accident lawyer.