Hazel Crest Boat Accident Lawyer

The State of Illinois has many lakes that offer boaters several great options for relaxing on the water. Unfortunately, a fun day on a boat can turn tragic when someone fails to pay attention. Every year, people are involved in serious boating accidents.

If you or a loved one sustained severe injuries in a boating incident, a skilled personal injury attorney might be able to help you recover compensation for damages. Speak to a Hazel Crest boat accident lawyer as soon as possible to discuss the details of your case.

How Could a Boat Accident Happen?

Many people do not take boating as seriously as they do driving. Some of the most common causes of recreational boating accidents in the United States are the following:

• Alcohol use: Many people believe that operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol is not as dangerous as driving a car drunk, yet the consequences can be just as deadly.
• Speeding: There are no traffic lights and no threats of speeding tickets while on a boat. Consequently, people often act more reckless when they are on the water than when they are on the road.
• Inexperience: Because most people do not operate their boats as frequently as they do their cars, people may not be as skilled at operating their vessels. They may not have the necessary boating certifications and they may not know how to navigate a boat through crowded waters properly.
• Inattention: When people drive their cars, they usually give the road their full attention. However, when people operate their boats, the boat itself serves as a significant distraction to its operator, and people tend to be more relaxed. They often find themselves distracted by their fellow boat occupants and may not pay proper attention to their surroundings.
• Failure of the boat’s machinery: Since people may use their boats infrequently, they might not adequately maintain or repair their boats when needed – or there might be a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

A knowledgeable Hazel Crest attorney with experience in boating incidents could use their skills to examine the evidence to see if a court could hold anyone else responsible for the accident. An attorney could look through police reports, review eyewitness records, examine blood alcohol tests, subpoena phone records, and review boat maintenance records to support a claimant’s case.

What Types of Injuries Typically Occur in Boating Accidents?

Different types of boating accidents can cause injuries. Most commonly, injuries occur when one boat hits another or when a boat hits a fixed object, such as a dock. Injuries can also happen when a boat unintentionally grounds itself on land, when flooding or swamping occurs within it, or when a person falls overboard. The most common types of injuries seen after boating accidents are the following:

• Head injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries
• Back injuries, such as spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Lacerations and scarring from a boat’s propellers
• Hypothermia from being stuck in the cold water for an extended period of time
• Death by drowning

A skilled boat accident attorney could use the injured claimant’s medical records to prove the severity of their injuries and use it to try to obtain the maximum possible recovery of damages.

Reach Out to a Hazel Crest Boat Accident Attorney Today

If you were involved in a boating accident, you might be facing a challenging recovery. A monetary judgment against the person responsible for the injuries you sustained could help you pay for the treatments that you need to recover. A Hazel Crest boat accident lawyer could help guide you and take the stress out of an otherwise complicated personal injury suit. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about how an attorney could help your case.