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Boat Operator Liability In Buffalo, New York
Jed Dietrich, Esq. and His Zealous Team at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. Fight to Obtain the Best Result for People Suffering Injuries That Result from a Boat Operator’s Negligence, Recklessness or Carelessness on the Water.
In Buffalo, New York and surrounding areas, individuals who were injured in boating accidents are often entitled to seek compensation from the operator of the boat. Boat accident injury claims can be difficult to navigate alone, so you will need all hands on deck. At the Dietrich Law Firm P.C., our boat operator liability injury lawyers in Buffalo, New York have extensive knowledge about these complex legal claims.
If you, or a loved one, were injured in a boating accident because of someone else’s negligence, you want the best personal injury lawyer in Buffalo, New York to work for you and get you and your family the compensation that you deserve. Over 44 times insurance companies have paid Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his top rated team of Buffalo, New York boat operator liability injury lawyers $1,000,000.00, or more, on behalf of their clients. We will strive to provide you with the highest level of personal injury service and you will never pay a fee unless we WIN for you!
Call our office today at 716-839-3939 to schedule an appointment and to learn about your best legal options if you suffered injuries in a boating accident. Our team of Buffalo, New York personal injury attorneys are available 24 hours per day and 7 days per week to help you.
What Is Boat Operator Negligence? 
In order to recover damages from the responsible party after a boating accident, you must prove that the boat operator was negligent and that your injuries occurred as a result of their negligence. A boat operator is negligent when he or she fails to act with reasonable care. Operating a vessel with reasonable care requires a heightened awareness of the vessel, its surroundings, the weather and other natural elements at play.
In order to operate their vessel with reasonable care, a boat operator must consider the safety of their passengers and the passengers aboard other nearby vessels. In addition, they must adhere to posted restrictions, watercraft regulations and traffic rules. A case can be made for boat operator negligence if an operator fails to adhere to any of these standards.
The boat operator’s awareness of all of the above can be severely diminished if that operator is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Operating a watercraft while intoxicated is illegal, and the boat operator risks not only civil liability, but could also face criminal charges. Alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. New York law prohibits anyone from operating any vessel while impaired by or intoxicated with alcohol or drugs.
You are considered to be boating while intoxicated if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or, if you are under 21, with a BAC of 0.02% or higher. Jed Dietrich, Esq., recognized as a Best Lawyer of America, won over $175 million in verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients and our team of elite Buffalo, New York personal injury attorneys are prepared to fiercely advocate on your behalf to resolve your boating accident case. Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. today at 716-839-3939 for your FREE consultation.
Who Is Responsible If Two Boats Collide?
If you were injured in a boating accident in which one boat collided with another, you may be wondering which boat operator is responsible for your injuries. In cases like these, typically both of the boat operators are at fault, at least partially. This means that you may have a legal claim against one, or both, of the boat operators in this type of boating accident.
After a boating accident is investigated, percentages of fault will be assigned to the involved boat operators. If the injured party happens to be one of the boat operators, they may have a legal claim for compensation against the other boat operator.
It is important to note that the type of boating vessels also play a role in establishing the at fault party, when two boats collide. For instance, if a motorboat were to collide with a sail boat, the operator of the motorboat is much more likely to be held liable for the accident. This is because general safe boating practices usually require motorboats to stay out of the way of sailboats.
The skilled Buffalo, New York boat operator liability injury lawyers at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. know that serious injuries and even death can occur in boating accidents. Our experienced team will carefully evaluate your case and provide you with the best possible legal strategy. Contact us today at 716-839-3939.
Who Is At Fault If The Accident Is Caused By Waves Or Wakes?
When a boating accident is caused by the vessel running into waves or wakes made by other boats, the question of liability becomes more complex. Safe boating practices and federal boating laws require boat operators to be vigilant and well prepared for potential hazards. In order to determine whether a boat operator would be liable in this type of boating accident requires consideration of the following factors:
- The speed of the boat;
- The type of vessel;
- The size of the wake or wave;
- Weather and visibility conditions;
- The waterway traffic; and
- Whether or not the boat operator warned their passengers of the issue.
After a thorough investigation is complete, it may even be found that the operator of another vessel was at fault if their vessel created the wake or waves that led to the boating accident. If the boats were in a no-wake zone, then the wake created by the other boat would be a violation and that boat operator could be held responsible for the victim’s injuries. No-wake zones typically occur in marinas and inner harbors.
If you suffered boating injuries in Rochester, Niagara Falls or Buffalo, New York, because of another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to legal compensation. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. has years of experience in helping injured people recover compensation for their damages and losses. Contact us today at 716-839-3939. We are available 24 hours per day and 7 days per week, and there is never a fee unless we WIN for you.
Who Is Liable If The Boat Strikes Land Or Other Fixed Objects?
When a boating accident is caused because a vessel collides with land or a fixed object, the liability of the boat operator will be determined according to the circumstances leading up to the accident.
If, for instance, the boat operator was traveling at an appropriate speed and carefully following the nautical chart for that area, it is unlikely that the boat operator would be found negligent. Alternatively, if it can be demonstrated that the boat operator was travelling too fast for the conditions of the water, or the boat operator was not paying attention to the appropriate GPS and charts, it is likely that the boat operator would be found negligent and responsible for the boating accident and the injuries sustained as a result.
Make our experience your advantage. Our team of Buffalo, New York boat operator liability injury lawyers at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. are well versed in the boating laws of New York State. We are committed to representing your best interest all the way to trial, if necessary, to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. Call us today at 716-839-3939 for your free consultation.
Does The Absence Of Safety Equipment On Board Constitute Negligence?
Even small pleasure boats are required by law to have necessary safety devices on board. These safety devices may include navigation lights, life jackets, throwable life rings, loud whistles, flares and fire extinguishers. Absence of these safety devices can slow down post-accident rescue efforts and lead to serious injuries or even death.
The boat operator and owner could be held liable for negligence in Buffalo, New York in such cases. Injured passengers in boating accidents should seek legal advice from an experienced personal injury attorney to determine the potential liability of the boat operator.
WERE YOU INJURED AS A RESULT OF A BOAT OPERATOR’S NEGLIGENCE ON THE WATERS OF BUFFALO, NIAGARA FALLS OR ROCHESTER, NEW YORK?
CALL JED DIETRICH, ESQ., RECOGNIZED AS A NEW YORK SUPER LAWYER, AND HIS TOP RATED AND HIGHLY EXPERIENCED TEAM AT 716-839-3939 NOW TO OBTAIN THE HELP THAT YOU NEED!
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!
