Boating accidents can occur on Lake Michigan or smaller lakes and rivers near Schaumburg. If a boat accident is caused by someone else’s negligence, contact our boat accident law firm to speak with a Schaumburg boat accident lawyer who can help you seek financial compensation for your injuries.
In this Article
What Illinois Laws Regulate Boat Ownership in Schaumburg?
According to Illinois’s Boat Registration and Safety Act, boat owners are required to register their vessels with the state and display a registration sticker on the boat.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources stipulates boaters must also obtain a boating education certificate if they were born after January 1, 1998 and plan to operate a motorized watercraft greater than 10 hp in the state. These regulations apply to owners of jet skis.
What Equipment Is Required for Boating in Schaumburg?
Personal flotation devices (PFDs): all boats must have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for every person, and boats 16 feet or longer need a throwable flotation device.
Fire extinguisher: motorized boats must have a fire extinguisher if they store fuel or flammable materials in closed compartments.
Visual distress signals (VDS): boats on federally controlled waters must have proper visual distress signals.
Sound-producing devices: boats must have a whistle or horn for signaling or emergencies.
Navigation lights: boats must use navigation lights at night or in low visibility.
Ventilation systems: boats with enclosed fuel compartments need ventilation to prevent gas buildup.
Backfire flame arrestor: non-outboard engines must have a Coast Guard-approved flame arrestor to prevent gas ignition.
Common Causes of Boat Accidents in Schaumburg, IL
Schaumburg, Illinois, boating accidents often stem from operator error, including speeding, inattentiveness, distracted boating, or reckless and inexperienced operation. Equipment failures like malfunctioning engines or steering systems also pose risks. Boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a major hazard, impairing judgment and reaction times. Lastly, challenging weather conditions—high winds, fog, or sudden storms—can quickly turn a routine outing into a dangerous situation, even for experienced boaters.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Boat Accident Injuries?
Similar to car accidents, liability for boat accidents can fall on a variety of parties, including:
Boat operators—if they operated the watercraft recklessly or negligently
Boat owners—if an accident resulted from faulty equipment or poor maintenance
Manufacturers—if a defect in the boat or equipment led to the accident
Other parties such as rental companies or boat tour operators may also be liable for accidents
What to Do After a Boat Accident in Schaumburg
If you’ve been in a boat accident in Schaumburg:
See a medical professional, even if you feel fine, and keep detailed medical records.
Report the Schaumburg accident to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to create an official record.
Gather evidence, including photos, witness statements, and any police or incident reports.
What Compensation Could Victims of Boating Accidents in Schaumburg Recover?
When boating accidents occur, victims can suffer injuries ranging from minor cuts and bruises to more serious injuries, such as broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
Victims may be entitled to recover compensation for injuries sustained with a boating accident claim. Settlements can include compensation for medical expenses (including medical bills for future treatment), lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and (in the most extreme personal injury case) wrongful death.
How Long Do Victims Have to File Personal Injury Lawsuits in Illinois?
The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Schaumburg is generally two years from the date of the incident.
Contact a Schaumburg Boat Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve been injured in a boating accident due to the negligence of someone else, you may have a valid boating accident case. Our Schaumburg personal injury lawyers can help gather evidence, identify negligent parties, negotiate with insurance companies for fair compensation, and represent you in court if a fair settlement cannot be negotiated.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a recreational boating accident, the attorneys in our law firm can guide you through the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call today for a free consultation.
A Schaumburg boat accident lawyer can help injured victims recover financial compensation in their personal injury cases.
$7.5 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when a support wall fell and struck him. (Highest award on record for a construction injury in DuPage County at the time).
$3.2 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when he fell in an uncovered foundation trench, ranking as the highest award on record for a construction injury in McHenry County at the time.
$3 Million
Recovery for the family of a man struck by a garbage truck that was making an illegal turn.
$2.2 Million
Recovery for a salesman injured in an automobile collision.
$2 Million
Recovery for a man struck by a speeding vehicle as he waited for the CTA bus.
$1.5 Million
Recovery for a truck driver that was struck by another car on the expressway while his vehicle was disabled.
$1.4 Million
Recovery for a computer programmer that slipped and fell in the washroom at work.
Recovery for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in a parking lot. At the time, this was the second-highest recovery on record in DuPage County for a similar injury.
$800,000
Recovered for a disputed wrongful death claim against a trucking company. The company denied they were involved in the collision.
$660,000
Recovery for a truck driver that was injured while unloading his trailer.
$550,000
Recovery for a person who slipped and fell in a grocery store.
$550,000
Recovery for a woman who injured her neck in a motor vehicle collision.
$500,000
Recovery for a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle while standing on the sidewalk.
$460,000
Recovery for a truck driver that tripped and fell in the parking lot while making a delivery.
$450,000
Recovery for a dental assistant who slipped and fell at work on an unnatural accumulation of ice.
$425,000
Recovery for a union worker struck by a speeding vehicle.
$425,000
Recovery for a passenger in a vehicle struck by an inexperienced driver.
$415,000
Recovered for a woman that required neck surgery after aggravating an existing neck injury in a truck accident.
$400,000
Recovery for a lab technician injured while transporting equipment.
$370,000
Recovery for a construction worker injured on faulty equipment at a construction site.
$315,000
Recovery for a motorist struck by a falling utility pole.
$310,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$300,000
Recovery for a bicyclist struck by a vehicle.
$250,000
Recovery for a young woman struck by another vehicle.
$250,000
Recovered for a woman who sustained a partial finger amputation and other injuries in a rollover car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$250,000
Recovered for a 60-year-old woman involved in a car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man hit by a semi-truck while operating a go-cart.
$240,000
Recovery for the injured party struck by another vehicle.
$235,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$235,000
Recovery for an inventory clerk injured when shelving toppled onto her.
$219,000
Recovery for a restaurant patron that slipped and fell in the bathroom.
$200,000
Recovered for an airline employee struck on the runway at O’Hare International Airport.
$190,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$175,000
Recovered for a child injured by fireworks at a fourth of July celebration.
$170,000
Recovered for a person injured when she slipped and fell exiting a major retail store.
$150,000
Recovered for a woman who fractured her leg when she was struck by a vehicle.
Latisha S.
Great service. They helped me get my money, and everyone was very pleasant even though the health insurance took a while. Everything was on point on Kryder’s side.
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