Lake Bloomington is a beautiful and popular spot for boating, fishing, and water skiing in the heart of Central Illinois. When the weather is right, you will find many boat owners and their passengers enjoying all that this beautiful lake and the surrounding area has to offer. However, a relaxing day on the lake can quickly turn tragic if an unfortunate accident involving a watercraft, skier, or swimmer occurs.
If you or someone you love was involved in an accident on the water that resulted in serious injuries or worse, a Bloomington boat accident lawyer is here to work for you and guide you through the process of pursuing compensation for the losses you have endured. However, time is of the essence, do not hesitate to speak with with an experienced civil attorney in the area.
Boat Safety on Lake Bloomington
Operating a boat on any lake requires knowledge of the rules and regulations that govern this popular recreational activity, including the Boat Registration and Safety Act (625 ILCS 45). Anyone operating a boat should be familiar with the boat itself and guarantee that you have the appropriate and required safety equipment on board. Every passenger must be wearing a personal floatation device at all times and it’s incumbent on the operator of the boat to make sure that’s enforced.
The driver must also follow all speed limit and no-wake zone markers and use operating lights when required. In addition, the same limits that apply to blood-alcohol level for driving an automobile pertain to boating as well. (See 625 ILCS 45/5-16). Operating a boat while intoxicated can have catastrophic results and failing to abide by this, or any of the rules of safe boating, can be used as evidence of liability in the event of an accident.
What Causes Boat Accidents on Lake Bloomington?
As you might expect, there are a number of common causes of accidents on the water. Some of these have already been mentioned: driving while impaired, intoxicated, or otherwise distracted is sadly all too common when the cause of a boating accident is investigated. Another common cause is an inexperienced operator. Being unfamiliar with a boat or with boating in general can have unfortunate results. Other common causes include ignoring safety rules like speed limits, no-wake zones, or ignoring posted warnings about underwater hazards. Other operators colliding with the boat in which you are a passenger are another common occurrence when examining the cause of boat accidents. Sadly, drownings are a frequent cause of fatalities in boating accidents, as accidents or engine failure can end up with boaters finding themselves in the water, and not always prepared.
I Was Involved in a Lake Bloomington Boating Accident: Who’s At Fault?
An experienced Bloomington personal injury lawyer will understand the common causes of boating accidents on Lake Bloomington and will be able to determine liability based on the facts of your case. Determining fault is important when your claim is filed to give you the best chance of being fully compensated for your losses.
Ignoring the established rules and regulations of safe boating in Illinois are frequently cited as evidence of fault when a boating accident results in injury or death. If you or someone you love have been injured in a boating accident, you should talk to an experienced Bloomington boating accident attorney to get help making the strongest possible case for your personal injury claim.
If you were injured as a passenger in a boat, your claim for compensation may be against the owner or operator of the boat. If the accident was caused by another boat, your claim may be against the other operator. Your claim could potentially be against the manufacturer of the boat if you can establish that the accident was a result of defects in the manufacturing process. It may be appropriate to include the owner or operator of a marina or dock in a claim if the accident can be shown to be caused by poor construction or maintenance of their property. A consultation with a Bloomington personal injury lawyer with boat accident experience can help answer many of your questions, including who can be held liable for your accident.
How do I get help with my case?
Call our office today to get help. Your initial consultation is always free. There is no up-front cost to hire our firm for a boat accident case, we work on a contingency fee, meaning we only get paid if and when we are successful in recovering money for you. You do not have to go through this process alone, please reach out to see if we can help.
