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A boat doesn’t have to collide with another vessel to cause serious injury. An unsafe wake, a sudden turn, or a careless boarding maneuver can also put passengers at risk. At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., our boating accident lawyers in Kankakee can review what happened and explain whether you have a claim.
Our founding partner previously worked on the insurance side with Allstate. That experience informs how we assess insurance disputes and negotiate for fair compensation, while our responsive team keeps you informed throughout your case.
For advice about a pleasure boat or jet ski accident, schedule a free consultation with a Kankakee personal injury lawyer.
How Boating Accidents Happen Around Kankakee
Boating on the Kankakee River requires attention to nearby vessels, passengers, and changing water conditions. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources warns that shallow water and rocks can make boating hazardous near Kankakee River State Park. Operators must account for those conditions when choosing their speed and route.
Common causes of recreational boating injuries include:
- Speeding or ignoring no-wake restrictions.
- Failing to watch for swimmers and other boats.
- Operating a boat or jet ski while impaired or distracted.
- Overloading a vessel or allowing passengers to move unsafely.
- Neglecting maintenance that affects safe operation.
At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., we investigate the conduct that caused the injury. Poor conditions alone do not establish negligence, but an operator’s failure to respond safely to them can support a claim.
Who May Be Responsible for a Boating Injury?
An operator, owner, rental business, or property owner may be responsible for a boating injury if their negligence caused it. Being injured on someone’s boat does not automatically make that person liable.
An operator may be responsible for unsafe handling or failing to keep a proper lookout. Other claims can involve an owner who entrusted a boat to an unfit operator, a rental business that neglected maintenance, or a marina responsible for a dangerous boarding area.
Our Kankakee boating accident attorneys examine each party’s role and the evidence connecting their conduct to your injury. We must establish a duty of care, a breach of that duty, and resulting harm.
What to Do After a Boating Accident
Get out of danger and call 911 if anyone is injured or needs emergency assistance. Give responders your location, including nearby landmarks, boat launches, or marina names. Once help arrives, explain what happened and get medical care for your injuries.
When it is safe, exchange contact, vessel registration, and insurance information. Photograph the boats and surrounding conditions, and ask witnesses how we can reach them. Do not put yourself at risk to collect evidence.
Boating accidents can also trigger separate reporting duties. Contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources or local law enforcement about the applicable requirements; calling 911 does not necessarily satisfy the written reporting obligation. We can help you identify the reports needed and obtain available records.
Evidence Our Kankakee Boating Accident Lawyers Review
A boat may be repaired or returned to service before an insurance dispute is resolved. At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., we work to preserve evidence before those changes make the accident harder to investigate.
Depending on the incident, we may review:
- Photographs, videos, and witness accounts.
- Marina or waterfront security footage.
- Rental agreements and vessel maintenance records.
- Available GPS data, weather records, and physical damage.
- Medical records and employment documents showing your losses.
Keep receipts, treatment records, and an accurate account of how your injuries affect daily activities. These records help us connect the accident to your treatment needs, missed work, and ongoing limitations.
Compensation Available After a Boating Injury
Your claim should cover both expenses you’ve already incurred and the care you will need in the future. At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., we use medical and financial records to assess those losses before advising you about a settlement.
Recoverable compensation can include:
- Emergency treatment, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and future medical care.
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity.
- Physical pain and emotional distress.
- Disability, disfigurement, and loss of a normal life.
- Damaged personal property, where the claim supports it.
If a boating accident caused a death, we can review potential wrongful death and survival claims. Available damages and who can bring the case depend on the governing law and your family’s circumstances.
How Shared Fault Can Affect Your Claim
Under Illinois negligence law, your compensation is generally reduced by your percentage of fault. You generally cannot recover if your share exceeds 50%. An insurer’s allegation that you contributed to the accident does not settle that question.
Different fault rules can apply when federal maritime law governs. At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., we review the waterway and accident circumstances to determine which law applies before assessing a shared-fault defense.
Insurance Coverage and Settlement Offers
Boat insurance, rental coverage, and other policies can have different limits and exclusions. A homeowners policy does not necessarily cover a boating accident, so we review the actual policy language and identify whose coverage may apply.
Evaluate an offer against your medical outlook and documented losses. Before signing a release, understand which claims you are giving up and whether the payment accounts for future treatment or lasting limitations. Once you settle, you generally cannot reopen the claim simply because recovery takes longer than expected.
At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., we explain the offer, negotiate where appropriate, and discuss litigation if the dispute remains unresolved. You decide whether to accept a settlement.
Filing Deadlines for Boating Accident Lawsuits
Illinois personal injury lawsuits generally have a two-year filing deadline, often measured from the injury date. That rule doesn’t apply to every boating case. Claims involving public entities, children, deaths, or maritime law can follow different deadlines.
Settlement discussions usually do not pause the filing period. Our boating accident attorneys in Kankakee review the relevant dates and parties to identify the deadline that applies to your claim.
Evidence can disappear well before that deadline. Contacting us early gives us more time to locate witnesses, request footage, and document the vessel’s condition.
Talk With a Boating Accident Attorney in Kankakee
You can speak with us before the investigation is complete or your treatment ends. Bring any photographs, medical paperwork, and insurance correspondence you have, and we can explain what additional information would help us evaluate your case.
Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., handles injury cases on a contingency fee basis and offers Zoom consultations. Contact us for a free consultation about your boating accident, the available insurance, and your options for pursuing compensation.
