Waterskiing Accident

Top Rated Waterskiing Accident Attorneys In Buffalo, New York

Jed Dietrich, Esq. Is a Highly Dedicated and Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in Buffalo, New York Representing Waterskiing Accident Victims.

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Located by two of the Great Lakes and the Niagara River, Buffalo, New York boasts a wide variety of recreational water activities like waterskiing. Waterskiing is an activity where a person is pulled along the surface of the water by a boat while balancing on a pair of skis made specially for use in the water. Although waterskiing can be fun and exciting, it is important to remember that skiers are more vulnerable to personal injury than boat passengers.

According to an article in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, the risk of injury while waterskiing is higher because of the rapid acceleration of up to 35 mph, lack of protective gear, waterway obstacles such as tow lines and boat propellers, and other skiers. Injuries associated with waterskiing accidents are accompanied by an average rehabilitation period of around two to four months.

If you, or a loved one, were injured in a waterskiing accident because of someone else’s negligence, contact Jed Dietrich, Esq., recognized as a Best Lawyer of America, and his team of highly experienced aggressive, tenacious and hardworking waterskiing accident attorneys in Buffalo, New York today at 716-839-3939, so that they can fight for the compensation that you deserve. Our skilled and compassionate waterskiing accident lawyers in Buffalo, New York have years of experience in handling personal injury cases and successfully obtaining results for our injured clients.

How Do Waterskiing Accidents Happen?

A variety of factors can lead to a waterskiing accident. These include, but are not limited to:

1. Collisions with other objects;
2. Collisions with other vessels;
3. Faulty boat hardware;
4. Faulty waterskiing equipment; and
5. The skier’s inability to swim.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C., recognized as a Best Law Firm of America, has a dedicated team of knowledgeable waterskiing accident lawyers in Buffalo, New York who are well-versed in waterskiing accidents in Western New York. We have built our reputation on years of experience representing clients who have suffered personal injuries as a result of the negligence of others.

What Injuries Are Commonly Associated With Waterskiing Accidents?

Some of the common injuries that water skiers in Buffalo, New York may suffer from a waterskiing accident are:

1. Carbon monoxide poisoning due to high CO emissions near the stern of the boat;
2. Concussions and head injuries;
3. Death;
4. Dismemberment;
5. Drowning
6. Fractures;
7. Hypothermia;
8. Internal organ damage;
9. Rectal or vaginal injuries; and
10. Spinal injuries.

The injured person’s ability to swim is likely to be compromised if any of these injuries occur. Therefore, even the strongest swimmer could be at risk of drowning in a waterskiing accident. If you or a loved one have been injured in a waterskiing accident, you know how frustrating, confusing, and stressful it can be. Our goal, at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C., is to assist you in every way to obtain the highest compensation for your injuries, income loss, and medical expenses.

Over 30 times, insurance companies have paid Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his elite and highly experienced team of Buffalo, New York waterskiing accident attorneys $1,000,000.00, or more, on behalf of their clients. They will fight to obtain the best possible result for YOU!

Who Is At Fault?

To protect your legal rights and to present a strong case for compensation, it will be important to determine and prove who is responsible for your injuries. The injured party must prove that the responsible party owed them a duty of care, that they failed to carry out that duty, and that their injuries resulted from that failure. Parties that could be found at fault in a waterskiing accident are:

1. The Operator: The operator of the vessel is legally bound to provide reasonable care to the water skier, swimmers, and passengers. The operator must not recklessly pilot the boat. Meaning they must refrain from speeding, weaving, being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, being distracted, or causing wake in a no-wake zone. Otherwise, the operator could be held criminally and civilly responsible.
2. The Observer: Every vessel that is towing a water skier must have an observer on board, in addition to the operator. This observer is specifically charged with keeping an eye on the person being towed. The observer must be, at minimum, ten years of age.
3. The Manufacturer/Marketer: The manufacturer and marketer of the waterski equipment could be held responsible if there was a design defect with the equipment, if the equipment was improperly processed, if the equipment was improperly marketed, or if the equipment was marketed without proper use instructions.
4. The Skier: The skier could have shared some fault in the accident, known as contributory negligence. According to the New York State Boater’s Guide, everyone being towed must wear a Type III life jacket and must not waterski during the hours of sunrise and sunset. The skier may fall under assumption of risk, meaning that they were aware of the risks involved and chose to participate despite them. Any of the above could result in some of the fault belonging to the skier, but that does not entirely bar their entitlement to compensation.

Considering these complex legal possibilities, you need experienced and top rated representation. The team of waterskiing accident lawyers in Buffalo, New York at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. is skilled in handling waterskiing injury cases in Buffalo, New York. We will explore every legal avenue to establish the strongest case possible and make sure that you receive the maximum benefits and compensation you are entitled to. Call our office today at 716-839-3939 to schedule your free consultation. Our office is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week to fight on your behalf to win you the compensation that you deserve.

How Can Accidents Be Avoided While Waterskiing?

Some things you can do to avoid being in a waterskiing accident are:

1. Avoid the use of alcohol or drugs while waterskiing or operating the vessel;
2. Avoid waterskiing in restricted areas;
3. Avoid waterskiing when the weather is inclement, or the visibility is poor;
4. Create clear signals between the skier, observer, and operator to eliminate any communication issues;
5. Let go of the tow rope immediately if you experience a fall;
6. Maintain proper safety equipment onboard the vessel;
7. Make sure to have an observer seated at the back of the boat to keep an eye on the skier;
8. Observe all regulations and safety protocols;
9. Only enter a boat from the water once the propellers have stopped; and
10. Stop waterskiing at the first sign of thunder or lightning;

Unfortunately, even if all of these precautions are taken, waterskiing accidents cannot always be prevented. If you or someone you know has suffered an injury, we are here to assist you. We invite you to contact the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. today. We can help. Jed Dietrich, Esq., recognized as a New York Super Lawyer, and his knowledgeable and aggressive legal team can help you recover damages and losses you may have suffered in a waterskiing accident due to another’s negligence.

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Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 716-839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Buffalo, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!

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