Yamaha and Other Personal Watercraft Accidents

By 2010, Yamaha was one of the three major manufacturers of personal watercrafts (PWCs). The other two are Bombardier and Kawasaki.

PWCs are water-going vessels that you sit on, as opposed to a boat, which you sit in. Some models of watercrafts allow the rider to stand. They all are propelled by a jet of water that rushes out of the back end of the craft at very high rates of speed and pressure.

A serious injury that may result from this jet-propelled water is internal injury. If the rider falls off of the back of the craft and is positioned in a certain way, the thrust of water can rush into the body's orifices, causing major internal injuries. Jet-propelled water can speed into the vagina or rectum, severely damaging the victim's organs or other internal structures.

A woman riding as the third passenger on a Sea-Doo Model GTO fell off the back of the PWC in July 2011. The jet-propelled water surged into her body cavities, damaging her colon and other internal organs. She sued Sea-Doo manufacturers Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. and BRP US Inc. on August 31, 2011 in the Eastern District of Texas. The suit claims the defendants were negligent.

Newer watercrafts usually are fitted with a lanyard that the rider fastens on the wrist. At the other end, the lanyard attaches to a dead man switch which stops the craft if the rider should fall into the water. This is meant to prevent injuries from the fall or from having the jet stream of water propelled into the body.

Other Types of Watercraft Injuries

Other injuries can result from collisions with other vessels at high rates of speed. A University of Florida study found that many more people are injured in personal watercraft accidents than in boat accidents.

"The same factors that make personal watercraft fun make them dangerous," said Dr. Elizabeth Beierle, a UF pediatric surgeon who led a review of accidents involving each type of craft. "They're small, they go fast, and they're open. In an accident, there's very little to prevent riders from being thrown off, and we believe that's why we see more serious injuries with them."

Dr. Beierle found that most of the watercraft collided with other vehicles or fixed objects, including docks or stumps.

"The difference was boat passengers tended to remain inside the boat and contact its interior surfaces. Personal watercraft riders often became airborne and contacted whatever was in their path," according to Dr. Beierle.

Another danger is the extreme maneuverability of the PWCs. They can suddenly turn or twirl in circles. This can create sudden dangers for others or leave the operators disoriented.

Negligent Design and Personal Injuries

A jury awarded $35 million to two West Palm Beach, Florida, families last summer for the death of one daughter and severe brain injuries to the other from the crash of a 2001 Yamaha WaveRunner XL 800. The WaveRunner lost its steering ability when the throttle was released and the craft carrying the two teenage girls plowed into a boat head on. The jury found that the design of the PWC was defective and that Yamaha failed to warn the public about the serious defect.

Watercraft Recalls

Two Sea-Doo models made by Bombardier were recalled because of poorly manufactured throttle and shift controls. The manufacturing problems could cause serious injuries or even death. According to the recall, the dangerous manufacturing flaws allowed:

• The throttle lever to be activated when the engine was started
• The shift lever to be pushed from forward to reverse, or vice versa, even though the throttle lever was activated
• Both the throttle and shift levers to get stuck

Contact a Yamaha Accident Lawyer

High speed and maneuverability make PWCs inherently dangerous in inexperienced hands. When design defects are added to those hazards, serious, even fatal injuries can occur. If you've suffered internal injuries as a result of falling off the back of a WaveRunner, Sea-Doo or Jet Ski, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your injuries.

Tony Malley, Attorney at Law, represents people that are severely injured in watercraft accidents and can help you. To learn more, please contact Mr. Malley for a free review of your case. He represents individuals in Texas and across the country.