Usually, where there’s smoke… there’s fire. And unfortunately, today, I’m using that statement in the most literal sense.
Two frightening accidents have occurred on Virginia waterways in the last two days. The first happened on June 19 when an older teenage boy was trying to start a Personal Watercraft when it suddenly exploded, launching him over 30 feet into the air. Luckily, the young man escaped harm and walked away from the incident. The local fire department is investigating the accident. It is unclear at this time what type of PWC the young man was using.
And then, just this morning, a woman was riding a Polaris Personal Watercraft on the beautiful waters of Smith Mountain Lake. Witnesses say the PWC exploded suddenly shortly after 11 am. The victim, whose name has not yet been released, was flown to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.
Personal Watercraft use is very popular on Smith Mountain Lake. These speedy, motorcycle like mini-boats allow the user to maneuver easily while enjoying high speeds previously accomplished only by speedboats. However, PWC carries many risks and manufacturers have recently come under fire for using defective, dangerous designs and for a failure to adequately warn customers of the risks associated with their use.
To read more about the dangers associated with PWC use, click here.
Some user forums have begun to speculate that the fuel line could have ruptured on either of the PWC’s. Others are saying that the PWC’s in question have a faulty and dangerous design because gas fumes are not vented away from the watercraft or its passenger. Adding a small blower to the design may solve this problem and possibly save lives.
Others speculate that the battery cables are too close to the fuel lines and can possibly spark explosions. Hopefully, both incidents will be investigated to the fullest extent possible to prevent further injury and loss of life.
If you or someone you love has been in injured in a Personal Watercraft Accident, Sea Doo Accident, Jet Ski Accident, or a Polaris Personal Watercraft Accident call Paul Thomson of The Thomson Law Firm today. Paul Thomson is an experienced defective and dangerous products lawyer. He has handled several product liability cases such as:
- Two defective retractable dog leash cases that caused blindness and the loss of an eye.
- A soccer goal tip-over that resulted in the death of a child.
- A faulty crib design that resulted in the death of a child.
- A faulty automotive design that resulted in a rollover crash that paralyzed the victim.
For a complete list, click here.
For more information about verdicts and settlements from former cases, click here.
Call for a FREE consultation to discuss your potential personal watercraft lawsuit. (540) 777-4900.
