Hip-Hop Star Seriously Injured in Jet Ski Accident | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

A serious Jet Ski accident that left a hip hop star injured has again illustrated the dangers of personal watercraft at a time where more people are taking to the waters of Hampton Roads, Virginia (VA).

Hip-hop star Sean Kingston was riding a personal watercraft off of Miami Beach, Florida (FL), on May 29, 2011, when he collided with the Palm Island Bridge, People reported. Although the singer’s condition was serious, it appears to have improved. His publicist, Joseph Carozza, issued the following statement to People: “Sean Kingston is now stabilized and has moved from the trauma unit to ICU.”

Investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing, but nothing indicates there was alcohol involved, said the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. But, said spokesman Jorge Pino, recklessness on the water plays a part in most PWC accidents.

As the weather gets warmer we are likely to see more accidents on boats and jet skis. On the same weekend Kingston became injured, two people were taken to a Florida hospital after their personal watercraft struck a navigational marker near Jacksonville.

As Virginia, North Carolina (NC), and South Carolina (SC) personal injury attorneys, we have seen too many accidents involving PWCs. Some of them have ended in tragedy such as the recent death of Bertie County, NC, sheriff’s deputy Kenny Cobb and his son on Jet Skis. It’s believed they hit a tree in the water.

Our experienced Virginia personal injury attorneys who handle Jet Ski and boating accidents recommend a number of essential precautions are taken before you take to the water on Jet Skis. You should always, for instance, wear a well-fitting life vest because collisions can happen suddenly and unexpectedly on the water.

Boaters and personal watercraft riders need to be particularly aware of safety in the summer as more craft take to waterways such as Hampton Roads and the James River in Virginia and the Albemarle Sound in North Carolina.

See this Jet Ski safety video.

Levels of ownership of PWCs such as Jet Skis, WaveRunners, waterbikes and waterscooters has increased dramatically in Virginia and North Carolina in recent years. According to statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard statistics, in 2010, Virginia ranked 19th of the nation’s 50 states in the number of registered boats, but the state was 12th in terms of the total number of boating accidents. Virginia was 9th of 50 states for total boater deaths.

And in too many cases alcohol or negligence is involved, meaning the victim or their family could have a case to take out a lawsuit. Also, on busy holiday weekends, many inexperienced jet ski operators are out along the beaches, the rivers and waterways, together with an increased number of boats. This can often be a recipe for boating and Jet Ski accidents.

DM