The scenic saltwater estuary of Murrells Inlet is a central part of daily life for locals and a major draw for visitors. However, heavy traffic and narrow channels create conditions that can quickly lead to accidents.
Boat and jet ski accidents stem from a range of issues, including operator error, environmental hazards, and mechanical failures. For those harmed by someone else’s choices, a Murrells Inlet boat accident lawyer may be able to provide clarity on legal options and rights.
Common Causes of Boat and Jet Ski Accidents in Murrells Inlet
The unique geography of Murrells Inlet creates a setting where accidents are unfortunately common. Several factors frequently contribute to these incidents, including:
- Operator inexperience or recklessness. An operator unfamiliar with the area or who ignores navigational markers can cause a collision.
- Boating under the influence (BUI). Impairment reduces reaction time and judgment, and operating a boat or jet ski while intoxicated can cause catastrophic accidents.
- Excessive speed. In crowded areas like the Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk or near the jetties, traveling too fast leaves little time to react to other vessels, swimmers, or sudden depth changes.
- Equipment failure. Mechanical issues such as a stuck throttle, a failed steering cable, or an engine malfunction can make a vessel uncontrollable, leading to a crash or passenger ejection.
- Hazardous water and weather conditions. Tidal changes create strong currents in the inlet, and afternoon summer storms can produce sudden high winds and rough waves.
- Lack of safety equipment. Life jackets, fire extinguishers, and alarms can help in an emergency.
Injured parties can meet with a Murrells Inlet boat accident lawyer to determine if an attorney can assist in investigating the cause and identifying whether negligence played a role in a boat or jet ski accident.
Boat and Jet Ski Accident Injuries
Boats and personal watercraft lack seat belts, airbags, and protective frames for occupants. The human body absorbs the full force of any impact, often against water, hard vessel surfaces, or a spinning propeller. Accidents may lead to:
- Drowning and near-drowning incidents. Drowning remains the leading cause of death in recreational boating accidents. Even after a person is rescued, inhaling water can cause respiratory complications and long-term lung damage.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Being thrown from a jet ski at high speed, struck by a swinging boom, or hitting a submerged object can cause the brain to slam against the inside of the skull. Symptoms of a TBI may not appear immediately, which is why prompt medical evaluation is important.
- Spinal cord injuries. A violent collision or sudden deceleration can compress or sever the spinal cord, potentially resulting in partial or complete paralysis, as well as loss of sensation and motor function.
- Fractures and broken bones. Being ejected against a boat console, caught between two vessels, or striking a dock can cause complex fractures.
- Lacerations and propeller injuries. Propeller strikes can cause deep cuts, tissue loss, and traumatic amputations that can lead to permanent disfigurement and multiple reconstructive surgeries.
- Burn injuries. Burn injuries may require skin grafts, long-term wound care, and physical therapy for scar management.
- Hypothermia. While South Carolina waters are warm in summer, prolonged immersion during spring, fall, or after a winter accident can rapidly lower body temperature. Hypothermia causes confusion, loss of dexterity, and eventually cardiac arrest.
For those who have sustained these or other injuries, consider seeking information about your injuries and legal options, which may include consulting with a qualified professional such as a Murrells Inlet accident attorney.
Legal Rights After a Boat or Jet Ski Accident
When another party’s negligence causes a watercraft accident, identifying the correct responsible party can be an important part of the legal process. These parties may include:
- Boat or jet ski operators. An operator who acts recklessly, fails to yield the right of way, or operates under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be held liable for resulting injuries.
- Boat owners. If an owner neglects required maintenance, allows an untrained operator to operate the vessel, or fails to provide legally mandated safety equipment, that owner may be held liable.
- Rental companies. If a rental company supplies a defective jet ski or fails to warn of known local hazards, it may be held accountable.
- Manufacturers. When an accident results from a manufacturing or design defect, product liability laws may allow a claim against the manufacturer.
- Third parties. In some situations, a third party, such as a commercial fishing vessel, a sightseeing tour boat, or a marina, may be responsible if their actions or negligence contributed to the accident.
South Carolina’s statute of limitations generally provides three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. However, certain cases involving federal maritime law or accidents occurring in navigable waters may have different timelines and procedural requirements, so victims may want to consider seeking guidance promptly.
Potential Compensation for Victims
Individuals who have been injured in a boat or jet ski accident due to another’s negligence may be entitled to various forms of compensation, including:
- Medical expenses. This covers emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, diagnostic imaging, physical therapy, prescription medications, and any anticipated future medical treatment related to the accident.
- Lost income. Compensation can address wages lost during recovery, as well as diminished future earning capacity if the victim cannot return to their previous employment.
- Pain and suffering. These non-economic damages account for physical pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the psychological impact of a traumatic watercraft accident.
- Property damage. Victims can seek reimbursement for repairs to their boat or jet ski, or for the fair market value of the watercraft if it was destroyed in the accident.
- Wrongful death damages. When a fatal accident occurs, surviving family members may pursue compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of the deceased’s financial support, and loss of companionship and guidance.
Someone injured in a boat or jet ski accident may choose to have a representative, such as an attorney, to assist in documenting damages and negotiating for compensation.
What to Do After a Watercraft Accident
Taking certain actions following a boat or jet ski accident may help protect an individual’s rights and preserve evidence for a potential claim. In no particular order, victims should consider the following:
- Seek medical attention. Even if injuries seem minor, a medical evaluation creates a record documenting the injuries and establishing a connection to the accident.
- Report the accident. South Carolina law requires a boating accident report to be filed with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) when the incident involves a death, a disappearance, an injury requiring medical treatment beyond first aid, or property damage totaling $2,000 or more.
- Document the scene. Collecting names and contact information from witnesses and photographing injuries and vessel damage can provide valuable evidence later.
- Avoid making statements. Statements made to insurance adjusters, rental company representatives, or other involved parties can later be used against the injured individual.
An attorney may help manage communications with insurers, preserve evidence before it is lost or destroyed, and ensure that all necessary reporting requirements are met.
How a Murrells Inlet Boat Accident Lawyer May Help
For those affected by a boat or jet ski accident in Murrells Inlet, legal representation may provide the following support if needed:
- Conducting an independent investigation into the cause of the accident
- Identifying all potentially liable parties
- Calculating the full scope of economic and non-economic damages
- Negotiating with insurance companies to seek fair settlement offers
- Preparing for litigation if a fair agreement cannot be reached
Individuals and families who have sustained injuries after a boat or jet ski accident in Murrells Inlet may find that speaking with an attorney to determine their rights and legal options helpful during this process.
