You May Be Entitled to Compensation If You Were Hurt in a Boat Accident Caused by Negligence

 Posted on April 16,2020 in Recreational Vehicle Accidents

As warmer weather approaches, many Lake County residents are starting to get their boats ready to take out on the water. Whether it is on a privately-owned boat or a commercial vessel, nothing quite compares to the feeling of bobbing with the waves and feeling the sun on your face. Unfortunately, not all boat operators are as careful as they should be. Boat accidents that result in severe injuries and even death occur every year in the United States. When a person is injured or killed as a result of a negligent boat operator, the injured person or surviving family may be entitled to financial compensation.  

Inattention and Alcohol Use Lead to Serious Boat Accidents

Just over 630 people lost their lives in boating accidents in the U.S. in 2018, and thousands more were injured. Sadly, many of these accidents could have been prevented if the boat operator was acting in a safe, responsible way. Many people falsely believe that they do not need to be vigilant while operating a boat because they assume that they can react to any dangerous situation in time to prevent an accident. However, Illinois boaters and passengers are seriously hurt every season due to improper lookout and operator inexperience. Boat accidents are also common when boats are travelling at excessive speeds. 

By far, the leading contributing factor in serious boat accidents is alcohol use. Boating under the influence is against the law in Illinois, but many boaters do not take this law seriously. When operator negligence is the cause of a boating accident, the people hurt in that accident may be able to receive compensation for their damages through a personal injury lawsuit.

Commercial Boat Accidents

Whether it is a tour boat, fishing charter, or any other type of commercial vessel, commercial boat operators are held to a high standard when it comes to passenger safety. If a commercial boat operator does not take the necessary steps to avoid preventable passenger injuries, the operator or boating company may be liable for any damages caused. A boat operator may be considered negligent if he or she knowingly uses a boat that is unsafe, ignores severe weather warnings, operates the boat in a reckless way, or otherwise puts passengers and other boaters at risk.

Contact a Lake County Boating Accident Lawyer

If you would like to learn more about pursuing compensation after a major boat accident, contact Salvi & Maher, L.L.C. Schedule a free consultation with a knowledgeable Waukegan personal injury attorney from our firm by calling us today at 847-662-3303.

Source:

https://www.uscgboating.org/library/accident-statistics/Recreational-Boating-Statistics-2018.pdf