What to do if you’re Involved in a Boat Accident

Illinois’ boat accident reporting requirements stipulate that an operator involved in a boat accident is required to:

• Stop their boat at the scene.
• Render assistance to any person who has been injured or who is in danger so long as they can do so without risking their safety or their passenger’s safety.
• Provide their name, address and boat information in writing to any person who was injured, and to the owner of any property that was damaged as a result of the accident.

Note: Any person who has failed to stop or comply with this section must as soon as possible but no later than 1 hour after the collision or accident occurred, report the incident to the nearest police station or sheriff’s office.

Reporting Requirements

A boat accident report must be completed by the operator and filed with the IDNR if:

• A person is killed or injured (must be reported within 48 hours).
• A person has disappeared or has been injured (must be reported within 5 days).
• There is complete loss of the boat (must be reported within 5 days).
• There is property damage that exceeds $2,000 (must be reported within 5 days).

Contact your local Illinois State Police District Dispatch Center for assistance in contacting a Conservation Police Officer to report a boating accident.

Failure to comply when the accident or collision resulted in the death or personal injury to a person is a Class A misdemeanor.

Illinois’ Boat Accident Report Form

http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/safety/Documents/BoatingIncidentReportForm.pdf