The injuries from your boat accident may affect you for the rest of your life. If this accident is the result of someone else’s actions, hold the at-fault party accountable. Meet with a boating accident lawyer in Cicero. From here, your attorney can explain what it’ll take for you to receive compensation from the party who caused your accident and injuries.
Therman Law has a proven track record in personal injury cases. To date, 99% of our cases have been successful. On top of that, we’ve recovered over $100 million for our clients. Trust a Cicero personal injury lawyer to help you with your boating accident case.
It’s Incredibly Difficult to Prove That Someone Is Liable for Your Boat Accident and Injuries
You claim a boat operator, manufacturer, or another party is at fault for your boating accident. Regardless, other parties involved in this incident may say you are liable. This can lead to a lengthy legal dispute over liability. Until this dispute is resolved, you may have to cover the expenses from your accident out of pocket.
Your boating accident attorney in Cicero understands the challenges you may encounter if you file a claim against anyone who caused you to get hurt. They can guide you through each stage of the claims process. If warranted, they can file a lawsuit on your behalf.
The team at Therman Law has over 75 years of combined experience. We can provide you with FAQs and other resources as you determine whether now’s the right time to proceed with a boat accident claim or lawsuit. Contact us today for more information.
Filing a Boating Accident Claim in Cicero Can Deliver Long-Lasting Benefits
The Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) give you a limited window for submitting a boating accident claim. Per 735 ILCS 5/13-202, you generally have two years from the day of your boat accident to seek compensation from any responsible parties.
Consult with a Cicero boating accident lawyer if you’re trying to figure out if you have a personal injury case. Your attorney can investigate your case by speaking with witnesses and reviewing video footage of your accident if it’s available. Once your lawyer identifies anyone liable for your accident, they can start the claims process.
As the claims process moves forward, your attorney may encourage you to continue to treat your boat accident injuries. They want you to focus on your health, well-being, and safety while they handle your legal matters and position you to secure fair compensation for your accident losses.
It May Take a Long Time to Resolve Your Boat Accident Claim
Submitting a claim doesn’t guarantee that the insurance company of the party liable for your boat accident will compensate you. This business may commit substantial time and resources to contest your claim. It’ll do so in the hopes that you’ll sign off on a lowball settlement offer or give up on your case entirely.
Partner with a boat accident lawyer who has earned dozens of positive client testimonials. Your attorney can negotiate a settlement with an at-fault party’s insurer. They can keep you informed about settlement negotiations. If your lawyer gets a settlement offer, they’ll share it with you, and you can evaluate the proposal with them and decide on it.
Your attorney understands what your boat accident case is worth. They may advise you to decline a settlement proposal if it won’t provide you with adequate compensation. If insurance settlement negotiations are unsuccessful, your lawyer has no issue with bringing your case to trial.
Your Boat Accident Losses Can Determine the Money You Get in a Lawsuit
Prior to filing your boat accident lawsuit, your attorney can evaluate your quantifiable and subjective losses. They can put together an argument designed to show a judge or jury that you should be awarded economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Costs of repairing or replacing your boat
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
It’s not enough for your lawyer to tell the court that you should get these damages. Your attorney may use accident scene photos, witness statements, and other evidence to support their argument. If your lawyer has a large collection of evidence, the court may be inclined to provide you with a favorable ruling.
Negligence Can Play a Key Role in the Success of Your Boating Accident Case
As your lawyer prepares your boat accident case for trial, they may prioritize negligence. Your attorney wants the court to see that a liable party was negligent and, as such, should have to pay damages. To prove these points, your lawyer’s argument may center around the elements of negligence listed below:
- Duty of Care: This refers to a legal obligation that a party has to avoid any acts that can put you at risk.
- Breach of Duty of Care: Someone breaches their duty of care when they operate a boat while intoxicated or commit other careless or reckless acts that can lead to an accident.
- Causation: Since a party chose not to comply with their duty of care, you were involved in a boating accident.
- Damages: You have incurred losses due to a violation of a duty of care that resulted in your boat accident.
Illinois has a modified comparative negligence system, which can impact the outcome of your boat accident case. If you are primarily to blame for your boat accident, you may be ineligible to get damages from anyone else.
Alternatively, if you‘re 1–50% at fault, you can still get damages. However, what you receive in compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Choose Charlie if You Need a Cicero Boating Accident Lawyer
If you’re debating whether to hire a Cicero boating accident attorney, look at what Therman Law offers. We know the ins and outs of the legal system.
Our team can assist you with your boat accident claim or lawsuit and help you make informed decisions as your case progresses. Allow us to serve as your legal representation. To get started, request a free case consultation.
