A good day out boating can turn disastrous when reckless behavior or a lack of safety gear causes accidents and injuries. Suffering an accident while out on the lake due to another person’s mistakes or negligence may mean you have the right to seek compensation for your losses.
At Therman Law, founded in 2002, our boating accident lawyer in Lake County can help you navigate your legal rights. Talk to our Lake County personal injury lawyer today.
How to Recover Damages After a Boating Accident
If you were hurt in a boating accident that was not your fault, you may have the right to seek compensation for your losses by filing a negligence claim.
This process is more challenging on waterways than on roadways. When you hire our boat accident attorney, we research and develop a comprehensive strategy to recover fair compensation.
This process typically involves:
- Investigation: We investigate what happened to gather additional evidence. Our experience enables us to seek out any evidence that demonstrates one or more people are responsible for your injuries.
- Determining your losses: Our extensive dedication to our clients revolves around our ability to build a strong case for losses. We examine all aspects of how this incident is affecting your health and well-being.
- Negotiate a claim: Expect our boating accident lawyer to maintain the highest level of control over your case. We aim to secure the highest possible settlement or pursue court action on your behalf.
Boating accidents may be brought against the owner, the operator, the company renting the boat, or third parties, depending on the circumstances.
When negligence happens on a boat, and you suffer injuries as a result, hiring an attorney is the most important step you can take after getting medical care. Our Lake County boating accident lawyer is here to help you, so be sure to learn more about our team.
Why Boating Accidents Happen in Lake County
Boating accidents can easily occur in Lake County, an area that has over 6,000 acres of boating waterways along nine interconnected lakes, according to their Marine Unit.
Whether you rent a boat from the marina or head out for a day on the water in a friend’s boat, accidents happen for preventable reasons. Some of the most common causes include:
- Improper maintenance and upkeep: Boats require consistent maintenance, much like a vehicle. If that does not happen, it increases the risk of boat failures, including stalling or unpredictable control, which can lead to accidents.
- Excessive speed: Too much speed creates difficulty controlling watercraft. When the owner or any other party acts recklessly at high speeds, it increases the risk of serious injury and loss.
- Alcohol use: Boat owners are responsible for what happens to their guests on a boat, and when alcohol is present, the risk of assault, reckless or unpredictable behavior, and unsafe conditions increases.
- Collisions: Boat collisions often occur at high speeds and can be jarring, potentially causing serious injuries to anyone on board.
- Falling overboard: Depending on the reason for this, the boat’s owner may be responsible for a passenger falling overboard, especially if the boat lacks safety equipment or the operator is inexperienced.
Many factors contribute to your ability to hold the owner or operator accountable for your injuries. With numerous boating accidents in Lake County, it is essential to understand the details, including who was involved, why the incident occurred, and whether the owner or another party should have been aware of the risk.
Our experience helps us demonstrate the unnecessary risks you faced.
Modified Comparative Negligence in Lake County
One of the factors that could contribute to the value of your claim is the modified comparative negligence laws in place in Illinois. You can recover damages even if you are at fault, but your percentage of fault reduces the amount of compensation received.
If you are considered more than 50% at fault, you are barred from collecting any damages from your case. At Therman Law, our Lake County boating accident attorney aims to minimize that risk by demonstrating you were not at fault when possible.
What Compensation You May Be Owed in a Boating Accident
When a boat accident in Lake County causes you injuries, seek medical care immediately and follow up with your doctor about what you are facing.
Then, seek the help of an experienced attorney to build your claim. It is very common for victims not to realize what compensation the at-fault party owes them. Examples of the compensation owed to you might include:
- Medical losses: Hospital and emergency care, surgery or other treatment, medications, rehabilitation, and any other medical care necessary after your accident
- Future medical losses: For many, the need for long-term care, modifications to their home, and in-home support becomes necessary
- Lost wages and earning capacity: If you cannot go back to work, or you cannot do the same job due to lasting injuries, you may be able to recover damages on top of the time you missed after your accident
- Pain and suffering: A boating accident can cause serious pain and suffering, and warrants compensation for the struggles you had throughout the process
- Emotional trauma and pain: These types of accidents are terrifying, often resulting in emotional trauma, PTSD, and depression that can span a lifetime
Every boating accident is a bit different, and though they are harder to research and more complicated to file a claim for, our experienced legal team is ready to help you.
We bring decades of experience to your fight, proving the value of your case and building a clear, comprehensive claim. If you are hurt, do not settle for what the insurance company says they owe you – let us ensure they pay you fairly.
Review our testimonials today to learn more about our services.
Set Up a Free Consultation with Our Boating Accident Attorney in Lake County
With guidance from our legal team, you can be confident in your ability to secure financial compensation to meet your long-term needs.
At Therman Law, we empower victims to obtain answers, recover fair compensation, and advocate for their future when someone else has caused harm. Contact us to meet with a boating accident lawyer in Lake County today.
