A 30-year-old man was critically injured on the Elk River in Cicel County, Maryland, after the Jet Ski-type watercraft he was riding collided with a 42-foot-long, high performance boat. Christopher J. Leight, 30, was treated in Baltimore at the University of Maryland’s Shock Trauma Center for his injuries where he is still in critical condition.
Leight’s cousin, 21-year-old Kristy L. Szewczak who was also involved in the boating accident, died from her injuries.
Maryland Police are investigating the crash. The driver and passengers on the boat did not sustain any injuries.
Maryland has a number of safety regulations for passengers riding personal watercrafts:
YOU MUST…
• Be at least 16 years of age to operate.
• Wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket.
• Carry a certificate of boater safety education if born on or after July 1, 1972.
• Maintain 6 knots or slower within 100 feet of another PWC, vessel, shore, pier, piling, bridge structure, abutment or people in the water
• Have PWC equipped with an operating self-circling device or kill switch.
YOU MAY NOT…
• Operate above idle speed in water less than 18 inches in depth
• Operate between sunset and sunrise.
• Jump, or attempt jumping, the wake of another vessel within 100 feet of that vessel.
• Operate within 300 feet of people in the water or surf fishing activities in the Atlantic Ocean.
• Disturb waterfowl and wildlife.
• Operate in a reckless and/or negligent manner.
Maryland Natural Resources police say that 50 of the 163 boating accidents that occured on Maryland’s waters involved personal watercrafts. At least one person was injured in each of these accidents.
Even if you abide by these safety regulations, injuries and accidents can still occur.
Boating accident leaves man critical, Phillyburbs.com, July 26, 2007
Jet Ski Accidents Common on Md. Waters, WBOC.com, July 3, 2007
Personal Watercraft Safety (PWC), Boating in Maryland
Related Web Resource:
Accident Statistics, U.S. Coast Guard
If you are someone who has been seriously injured on a personal watercraft or any kind of boat because a boat driver behaved negligently, call the personal injury law firm Lebowitz and Mzhen.
Lebowitz and Mzhen represents clients who have been seriously injured in boating accidents and other types of personal injury cases. We understand the nature of boating accident cases and the different laws and regulations that apply to boats and personal watercrafts. We can help you file a personal injury lawsuit and do everything to help you obtain the maximum recovery for your injuries, pain, and suffering.
Your first consultation with us is free. Contact Lebowitz and Mzhen today.