What Are My Legal Options If I Was Hurt on a Rental Boat?

 Posted on April 23,2021 in Personal Injury

For many, warmer weather means that it is time to get out on the water. The Arlington Heights area has many opportunities for fishing, canoeing, water skiing, jet skiing, or lounging on the deck of a pontoon. Unfortunately, severe and even fatal accidents can occur during a boating excursion. If you or a loved one were hurt in a boat accident in a boat that was rented, you might be unsure of your rights in this scenario. Is the boat rental company liable for the accident? Who will pay for your medical bills?

Understanding Liability for a Boat Accident

Boat accidents can happen for countless reasons. In some cases, a boat collides with the shore, a submerged object, or another watercraft. Injuries may also occur when a boater slips and falls on the boat deck. Boat defects may cause the boat to flood, resulting in injuries or even death due to drowning. After a boat-related injury, the legal options available to you are primarily based on the reasons for the boat accident. The cause of your boat accident may include:

• Boating under the influence – Although prohibited by Illinois law, many boaters choose to operate the boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you were injured in a boat accident caused by an intoxicated boat operator, the operator might be liable for your injury. If a boat operator of a commercial boat such as a fishing charter caused a boat accident while under the influence, the company may be liable.

• Rental company negligence – If the company or individual you rented the boat from acted negligently and this negligence led to your injuries, the company might be liable. If the boat was defective in some way that made it unsafe to operate and the rental company knew of this defect, it may be on the hook for injuries caused by the accident.  

• Boat manufacturing or design defects – Some boating accidents are caused by a defect in the boat itself. The defect may be caused by a mistake that occurred during the manufacturing process or the boat’s original design was flawed in some way.

Contact a Palatine Boat Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one were hurt in a boat accident, contact Newland & Newland, LLP to discuss your legal options. You may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income, and other damages. An Arlington Heights injury attorney from our law firm can assess the circumstances of your boat accident and advise you of your legal options. Call 847-797-8000 for a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500450K5-16