What to Do After a Jet Ski Crash on California Lakes

1. Safety First: Immediate Steps on the Water

After a jet ski crash, focus first on preventing further harm:

• Check for injuries and get everyone out of immediate danger. If anyone is in the water, help them reach a stable craft, a dock, or the shore if it is safe to do so.
• Use your life jacket. California law requires U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices for personal watercraft users, and they are critical after a collision if someone is unconscious, disoriented, or injured.^[1]
• Shut off the engine. If it is safe, turn off the jet ski to prevent further contact with people, other watercraft, or objects.
• Avoid creating a secondary crash. If possible, move the craft out of active traffic areas, and use any available signaling devices (whistle, horn, visual distress signals) to alert nearby boats.
• Call for help immediately in serious collisions. Use a cell phone, marine radio, or shout to other boaters for assistance. On many California lakes, emergency response is handled by county sheriffs’ marine units or park rangers.

Once the immediate danger is controlled, shift your focus to medical care and your legal protections.

2. Get Medical Attention Even if You Feel “Okay”

Jet ski crashes can cause hidden injuries from blunt-force impact, being thrown into the water, or striking another vessel or fixed object.

• Call 911 for serious or visible injuries. Loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, heavy bleeding, suspected head, neck, or back injuries, or someone who seems confused or drowsy all warrant emergency care.
• Visit a doctor promptly after the crash. Concussions, internal injuries, and soft-tissue damage may not show full symptoms right away. A medical evaluation creates a record that links your injuries to the collision.
• Tell the provider this was a jet ski collision. Clear documentation of how you were injured is important for insurance and any future claim.
• Follow through on recommended treatment. Skipping follow-up appointments, testing, or therapy can harm your recovery and may be used by insurers to argue that your injuries were minor or unrelated.

Save all medical records, discharge instructions, receipts, and bills in one place. These documents are important if you pursue an insurance claim or lawsuit.

3. California’s Accident Reporting Rules for Boating Crashes

California has specific reporting requirements for boating accidents, and these rules apply to personal watercraft such as jet skis.^[1] Certain accidents on state waters must be reported to the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) when they involve, among other things, injuries requiring more than basic first aid, death, disappearance, or specified levels of property damage.^[2]

Key points include:

• Law enforcement may respond and make its own report. On many lakes, sheriffs’ marine units, state park peace officers, or other agencies respond to boating crashes.
• A written report to state authorities may be required. The operator or owner of a vessel involved in a qualifying accident generally has a duty to submit a written accident report form to DBW.^[2]
• Time limits to report can be short. The deadline depends on the nature and severity of the accident. Because these timeframes are set by statute and regulation, it is important not to delay.^[2]

Ask the responding officer:

• Whether the incident qualifies as a reportable boating accident under California law;
• Whether a separate written report to the state is required from you or the owner;
• How to obtain a copy of any incident report or case number.

If no officer responds, you can still contact local law enforcement or the agency that patrols that lake (often the county sheriff or State Parks) and ask how to comply with California’s boating accident reporting rules.

4. Document the Scene and Preserve Evidence

Once everyone is safe and urgent medical needs are addressed, gathering information can make a significant difference in any insurance claim or lawsuit.

If you are physically able, try to:

• Take photos and video. Capture the jet skis and any other vessels from multiple angles; visible damage; positions of the crafts relative to landmarks; debris fields; water conditions; weather and visibility; and any visible injuries.
• Exchange information with all operators and owners. Get names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and insurance details. For rentals, note the rental company’s name and the identification number on the watercraft.
• Collect witness information. Ask nearby boaters, jet skiers, or shoreline witnesses for contact details. Independent witnesses can be extremely important if the other side disputes fault.
• Note conditions. Jot down details about lake congestion, your approximate speed at the time of impact, sun glare, wind, wake size, no-wake or speed-limit zones, and any buoys, markers, or posted rules.
• Preserve your gear. Do not throw away damaged life jackets, helmets, clothing, or equipment. These items can help show the force and mechanics of the crash.

Avoid repairing or altering the jet ski until you have photographed all damage, recorded the hull identification or vehicle identification number, and talked with your attorney and insurers about needed inspections.

5. Report the Crash to the Rental Company, Marina, or Owner

If the jet ski was rented, borrowed, or part of a guided tour, additional steps often apply:

• Notify the rental business promptly. Many rental contracts require you to report any incident as soon as practicable. Provide basic facts, but avoid making statements that accept fault before you speak with a lawyer.
• Request a copy of any incident form. If they ask you to complete an internal report, take a photo of it or ask for a copy for your records.
• Do not sign additional liability waivers or releases after the crash without legal advice. You may have signed a pre-ride waiver; some businesses also present new documents after an incident. Signing could limit your rights.
• Note safety practices. Make a record of the safety briefing (or lack of one), any instruction you received, whether they provided life jackets, and the apparent condition of the equipment.

If you were operating your own jet ski, notify your insurance carrier. If the crash occurred on a lake managed by a particular agency (for example, State Parks or a water district), follow any local reporting procedures they provide in addition to statewide requirements.

6. Understand How Fault and Liability Work in California Jet Ski Crashes

Personal watercraft collisions typically involve both boating “rules of the road” and California negligence law.

Common bases for fault include:

• Operating at an unsafe speed or too close to other vessels;
• Ignoring no-wake zones or restricted areas;
• Failing to keep a proper lookout;
• Operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which is prohibited for vessel operators under California law;^[3]
• Inadequate safety instruction or supervision by a rental company;
• Defective or poorly maintained equipment.

California follows a comparative fault system. This means multiple people can share responsibility for a collision. Even if you are found partly at fault, you may still recover damages, but your recovery can be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.^[4]

Potentially liable parties can include:

• Another jet ski or boat operator;
• A rental or tour company that failed to train riders, enforce safety rules, or maintain equipment;
• An owner who allowed an inexperienced, unlicensed, or impaired operator to use the craft;
• In some cases, a manufacturer or repair facility if a defect or poor repair contributed to the crash.

An attorney can help identify all potentially responsible parties and any insurance policies that may apply.

7. Insurance and Compensation After a Jet Ski Collision

Several types of insurance may apply after a California lake jet ski crash, depending on who owns the watercraft and where the crash occurred:

• Watercraft or boat insurance policies. These policies may cover bodily injury and property damage caused by the insured operator or owner, subject to policy terms and exclusions.
• Homeowners or renters insurance. In some scenarios, liability coverage under a home or renter’s policy might extend to recreational watercraft, again subject to exclusions and limits.
• Umbrella or excess liability policies. Higher-limit policies may provide additional coverage beyond standard liability limits.
• Commercial policies for rental companies or marinas. Businesses that rent or guide jet skis often carry commercial liability coverage.

Depending on the facts and applicable law, you may be able to seek compensation for:

• Medical bills and future treatment costs;
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity;
• Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life;
• Property damage to your jet ski or personal items;
• In some cases, the impact on your spouse or family relationships.

Be cautious when speaking with insurance adjusters:

• Provide basic factual information, but avoid speculating about speed, visibility, or fault.
• Consider declining a recorded statement until you have received legal advice.
• Be wary of accepting an early settlement before you understand the full extent of your injuries and future medical needs.

A lawyer can evaluate the adequacy of any offer, help document your losses, and negotiate with insurers on your behalf.

8. Legal Deadlines in California Jet Ski Injury Cases

California law sets strict time limits, often called statutes of limitation, for filing personal injury and property damage lawsuits. There may also be additional, shorter deadlines when a government entity is involved (for example, if a public agency manages the lake or operates a vessel involved in the crash).^[4]

Because:

• Different deadlines can apply depending on the type of claim (injury, wrongful death, property damage);
• Special claim procedures often apply when public entities are involved;
• Missing a deadline can permanently bar your claim;

it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after the collision. A lawyer can:

• Identify every potentially applicable deadline;
• Ensure that any required government claims are timely served;
• File a lawsuit within the applicable limitation period if the case cannot be resolved through settlement.

You should not rely solely on online summaries of time limits. Individual circumstances and later legal changes can affect which deadlines apply.

9. How a California Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help After a Jet Ski Crash

After a serious lake collision, injured riders and families are often dealing with pain, medical appointments, and unexpected expenses. An attorney experienced in California boating and personal injury law can help by:

• Investigating the crash. Gathering witness statements, photos, surveillance (if any), rental records, equipment maintenance logs, and law enforcement reports.
• Preserving evidence. Sending preservation letters to rental companies, marinas, and other involved parties so that critical documents and data are not destroyed.
• Working with experts. When appropriate, consulting accident reconstructionists, boating safety experts, or medical specialists to support your case.
• Handling insurers and paperwork. Communicating with insurance companies, preparing claims, and pushing back against unfair denials or low offers.
• Valuing your claim. Considering medical needs, lost income, and long-term effects to seek an appropriate settlement or, if necessary, a verdict.
• Preparing for trial. If a fair settlement is not possible, presenting your case in court.

Early legal advice can help you avoid common missteps and focus on healing while someone else handles the legal details.

10. Practical Checklist: Steps to Take After a Jet Ski Crash on a California Lake

Talk With a California Jet Ski Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one was injured in a jet ski crash on a California lake, you do not have to navigate the aftermath alone. To discuss your situation with a California personal injury lawyer, you can contact our firm and request a consultation about your potential options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to report every jet ski crash in California?

No. However, California law generally requires a report when the crash involves death, disappearance, certain levels of injury, or a specified amount of property damage. If you are unsure, contact the agency that patrols the lake or speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.

What if I signed a waiver at a jet ski rental shop?

A waiver does not always prevent you from pursuing a claim. Its effect depends on the waiver’s language, how it was presented, and the specific facts of your case. Courts may limit or reject some waivers, especially if a business was grossly negligent or failed to follow safety laws.

Can I recover damages if I was partly at fault?

In many cases, yes. Under California’s comparative fault rules, your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of responsibility, but you may still recover some damages if another party also contributed to the crash.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a jet ski crash?

The deadline depends on the type of claim and who is involved. Some claims have a two-year limitation period, while claims involving government entities can have much shorter notice deadlines. Consult a California attorney promptly to identify the specific time limits that apply to your situation.

Should I talk to the other rider’s insurance company?

You may need to provide basic information, but you do not have to give a recorded statement or detailed account without legal advice. Insurance adjusters work for the insurer, not for you. Speaking with a lawyer before engaging in detailed discussions can help protect your rights.

Sources

• California State Parks, Division of Boating and Waterways – California Boating Law (accessed Nov. 27, 2025).
• California State Parks, Division of Boating and Waterways – Accident Reporting & Boat Collision Report Form (accessed Nov. 27, 2025).
• California Harbors and Navigation Code, Division 3, Chapter 5 – Operation and Equipment of Vessels (including BUI provisions) (accessed Nov. 27, 2025).
• Judicial Branch of California – Self-Help: Personal Injury (accessed Nov. 27, 2025).

California Legal Disclaimer

Disclaimer: This blog post is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. It is based on California law as of the last-reviewed date above, which may change. Reading this post does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws can apply differently depending on your specific facts, and additional rules may apply on federally controlled waters. You should consult a qualified California attorney about your particular situation before taking or refraining from any action.