Arlington Heights Boating Accident Attorneys

Lawyers in Cook County for Victims Injured on the Water

Northern Illinois is home to many lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water that are perfect for recreational activities. With that in mind, thousands of Illinois residents spend a great deal of time boating, fishing, and otherwise enjoying time on the water. Nobody expects to get hurt while boating or riding a personal watercraft (sometimes referred to by the popular brand name Jet Ski), but boating accidents can and do happen from time to time. When they do, the resulting injuries can be serious and long-lasting.

At Newland & Newland, LLP, our experienced attorneys have been helping injured victims throughout the region for nearly three decades, including many who were hurt in boating accidents. If you or someone you love has suffered injuries on the water, we are equipped to help you get the compensation you need to start putting your life back together.

Causes of Boating Accidents in Illinois

Injury-causing boating accidents can occur in a variety of ways, much like motor vehicle accidents. Some are the result of careless operation while others are caused by a failure to take proper safety precautions. Wind and inclement weather conditions can also contribute to boating accidents, as well as improper or inadequate maintenance or defective watercraft equipment. It is not uncommon for recreational boaters to be drinking while they are out on the water, and boating under the influence is a serious problem on many local waterways. The water itself also poses an additional risk, and drowning is the leading cause of death associated with boat accidents.

Common types of boat accidents include:

• Collisions with other boats or vessels;
• Capsizing;
• Flooding;
• Collisions with fixed or submerged objects;
• Passengers falling overboard;
• Personal watercraft crashes; and
• Accidents related to tubing or waterskiing.

Chain O'Lakes Counsel for Determining Liability in Boat Accidents

As with other types of personal injury cases, collecting compensation following a boat accident in which you were injured will require establishing liability for the accident. You, along with your attorney, will need to show that at least one party acted negligently or recklessly and that you were injured as a result. The lawyers at Newland & Newland, LLP are prepared to fully investigate the circumstances of your boating accident so that we can determine exactly what happened and who was at fault.

If, for example, you were a passenger on a boat that crashed while being operated by someone who was drunk, he or she could be held liable for your injuries. Similarly, if you were swimming off the back of a boat and were struck by another vessel, the operator of that boat might be financially responsible for the accident.

Determining liability for a boat accident can be complicated, but we can help. Our attorneys have more than 60 years of combined injury law experience, and we are equipped to provide the guidance and representation you need.

Call 847-797-8000 Today

If you or a member of your family has been injured in any type of boating accident, contact our office. Call 847-797-8000 for a free phone consultation and case review today. Newland & Newland, LLP serves clients in Arlington Heights, Rolling Meadows, Mount Prospect, Palatine, Schaumburg, Buffalo Grove, Long Grove, Wheeling, Elk Grove Village, Des Plaines, DuPage County, McHenry County, Lake County, Cook County, and the rest of Northern Illinois.