Every year, an alarming number of men, women, and children are injured in waterskiing accidents. The reality is that many of these injuries – including fatal ones – can be avoided by following a set of waterskiing dos and don’ts.
Before diving deeper into the dos and don’ts of waterskiing, a look at the most commonplace types of waterskiing injuries aids in putting things into perspective in regard to safety. The most frequently occurring types of waterskiing injuries in the United States are:
- Shoulder injuries
- Ankle injuries
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Drowning
The Dos of Waterskiing
- Always wear an approved flotation device or PFD when waterskiing, even if you are an experienced skier and a proficient swimmer. Use a product approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
- Weal properly fitted ski bindings.
- Learn and use water skier hand signals.
- Only waterski during daylight hours.
- When coming in for a landing, run parallel to the shore and always come in slowly.
- Attempt to avoid falling forward when you fall.
- If you want to engage in new waterskiing techniques, make certain that you learn them properly.
- Have a spotter at the back of the boat who is always watching a skier.
- Immediately release or let go of tow rope if you fall.
The Don’ts of Waterskiing
- Don’t call ready until ski tips are up and the rope is tight.
- Never wrap the rope around any part of your body.
- Do no ski directly ahead or the side of another watercraft.
- Don’t double ski with ropes of different lengths.
- Never waterski in areas marked as restricted.
- Do not attempt a rapid landing while heading directly towards the shore.
- Never attempt to get back into a boat after skiing until the propeller has come to a complete stop.
- Never waterski if a storm is approaching or if lightening and thunder is evident.
- Never use alcohol or any other type of mind-altering substance when waterskiing or engaging in any other type of boating or aquatic activity.
Boat Operator and Waterskiing
A boat operator should never pull a water skier without prior specific training. In other words, a boat operator who has no experience and has not been trained in how to pull a water skier presents the potential for grave danger to the skier and even others onboard a watercraft. Specific training is available when it comes to learning about operating and piloting a boat that will pull a water skier.
As an aside, another important practice is for a boat operator to be properly trained in CPR. Any time a boat is on the water for skiing purposes, a person trained in CPR should be onboard the watercraft.
Your Legal Rights After a Waterskiing Accident
If you’ve been injured in a waterskiing accident, or if you’ve lost a loved one in this type of aquatic catastrophe, the legal team at The Doan Law Firm wan provide you information about your legal rights. A nationwide law firm, you can reach a waterskiing accident lawyer by calling us at (800) 349-0000. Our phone line is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, including major holidays.
We can schedule an initial consultation for you with an experienced waterskiing accident lawyer at any one of our offices located coast to coast across the country. We can also schedule an appointment at your home or even at the location of a waterskiing accident. In addition, an online case evaluation can be arranged for you as well. There is never a charge for an initial consultation and case evaluation with a Doan Law Firm waterskiing accident lawyer.
The Doan Law Firm makes an important attorney fee commitment to you. We understand that in the aftermath of a waterskiing accident the last thing you need to worry about is paying a lawyer to protect your legal rights.
The Doan Law Firm uses what is known as a contingency fee agreement. With this type of fee agreement, you will never pay an attorney fee in your case unless we obtain a favorable settlement or judgment in a lawsuit for you.
Our waterskiing accident lawyer team is dedicated to obtaining justice for you and the compensation you deserve. We will fight tirelessly on your behalf in pursuit of these goals.
