A day on the water in San Diego should be fun. Mission Bay, the San Diego Harbor, the open Pacific — these are the reasons people flock to the coast.
But one reckless operator, one mechanical failure, or one moment of inattention can turn a perfect day into a nightmare. And when jet ski collisions, capsized boats, or propeller strikes happen, the injuries are often severe.
If you’ve been hurt in a jet ski or boating accident in San Diego, you’re probably wondering who’s responsible — and whether you have a case. Here’s what you need to know.
San Diego’s waterways are busy. Recreational boaters, jet ski renters, commercial vessels, and kayakers often share the same crowded space. That congestion leads to accidents, and most of them are preventable.
Common causes include:
Whether you were a passenger, another boater, a swimmer, or a bystander on a dock, someone else’s negligence may have caused your injuries.
This is where things get complicated — but in a way that can actually work in your favor.
Under California Civil Code Section 1714, everyone has a duty to exercise ordinary care. On the water, that duty extends to:
In many boating accident cases, multiple parties share responsibility. A thorough investigation helps identify every source of liability — and every source of compensation.
Water doesn’t cushion impact the way people think. At high speeds, hitting the water’s surface is like hitting concrete. And propeller injuries, drowning, and blunt force trauma make boating accidents uniquely dangerous.
Common injuries include:
These injuries often require emergency surgery, extended hospital stays, and months of rehabilitation. The financial toll adds up fast.
The steps you take immediately after the accident can make or break your claim. Here’s what to do:
In some ways, yes. California’s Harbors and Navigation Code governs boating safety and imposes specific rules on watercraft operators, including speed limits, right-of-way, and BUI laws.
There’s also an important overlap: just like on the road, California’s comparative fault rule applies on the water. That means even if the other side argues you were partly responsible, you can still recover compensation — reduced by your share of fault.
And if alcohol was involved, the at-fault operator could face both criminal charges and a civil lawsuit for your injuries.
If someone else’s negligence caused your boating or jet ski accident, you have the right to seek compensation for:
The insurance company for the boat operator or rental company will try to minimize what they owe you. That’s what they do. Our job is to make sure they don’t get away with it.
In most cases, California gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. But there are exceptions:
The clock starts ticking the day of the accident. Waiting too long could cost you your right to compensation.
You didn’t cause this. You were out on the water doing what people in San Diego do — and someone else’s negligence turned it into something you’ll never forget.
At DP Injury Attorneys, we fight for people injured by the carelessness of boat operators, jet ski renters, rental companies, and watercraft manufacturers. We handle the investigation, deal with insurance carriers, and fight for every dollar you’re owed.
There’s no fee unless we win.
Call us today or contact us online for your free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and help you take the next step toward recovery.
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Arthur Paul D’Egidio is the Managing Partner of DP Injury Attorneys, a San Diego personal injury law firm. With more than 12 years of experience in California injury law, he has dedicated his practice to representing clients in a wide range of personal injury matters, including car accidents, workers’ compensation, slip and falls, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death cases.
Arthur received his Juris Doctor from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law and is a member of the State Bar of California as well as the San Diego County Bar Association. He has received numerous accolades for his work, including being named a Super Lawyer for seven straight years by Thomson Reuters and a “Top 40 Under 40” by the National Trial Lawyers.
