Spending time on the water is a way for many Boonville residents to relax. Whether this includes fishing, sailing, kayaking, or simply going on a cruise, boats offer a variety of entertainment options.
Unfortunately, whenever we get on the water, we are at the mercy of the reckless or careless actions of others. Collisions between boats are common and can result in severe injuries. Much like other instances of personal injury, negligent boat drivers are responsible to provide compensation when they cause an accident.
A Boonville boat accident lawyer could help you to pursue at-fault boaters for the compensation needed to set things right. This can include reimbursement for medical bills, payments for your pain and suffering, and even compensation for any lost earnings.
Our team of personal injury attorneys at A.W. Smith Law Firm, P.C. will work tirelessly to help you recover compensation. We have helped our clients recover over $100 million in settlements. Call our office 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Missouri’s laws concerning proper boat operation are lengthy and complicated. Before any person born after 1983 can operate a boat, they must complete a boater education course. This course outlines general safe boat operations, how boats must behave when encountering other vessels, and teaches people about what to do in an emergency.
In general, safe boat operation is similar to safe motor vehicle operation. Boaters must be sure to follow all posted speed limits, pay attention to navigational buoys, and drive in a generally careful manner. A failure to follow any of these laws that leads to an accident may place responsibility for that accident on the defendant boater. A skilled Boonville boat accident lawyer could help injured individuals evaluate the incident and determine which party is liable for damages.
For most personal injury cases, boat accidents included, the plaintiff’s boat accident attorney must prove that the defendant’s actions were negligent. This means that an experienced Boonville boat accident lawyer must prove that a defendant failed to protect others from harm. As soon as a boater gets out onto the water, they assume a duty to protect all other people that they may encounter. As a result, other boaters, swimmers, and even people on docks may pursue a case for damages that result from a defendant’s negligence.
Often, the plaintiff will make a claim against both the at-fault party and their insurance company. However, state laws do not require a boater to obtain insurance for their vessel. This means that the only defendants in many boat accident cases are those operating the vessel. Our dedicated legal team at The A.W. Smith Law Firm could help plaintiffs to identify all possible defendants and to hold them financially responsible for the damage that they cause.
The damage individuals could sustain following a boat accident may be substantial. Boat accidents can inflict serious physical injuries including:
The party responsible for an accident is always responsible to provide payments to cover the costs of medical treatment. However, in many cases, this is not the full extent of a person’s losses. Many plaintiffs also suffer economic damages in the form of lost wages or harm to their boats. Plaintiffs may also experience significant pain and suffering that affects their quality of life. A seasoned Boonville boat accident lawyer could help people to press their claims for compensation that covers the full value of their injuries and damages.
A boat accident can result in severe, life-changing losses. This includes not just physical harms, but also economic losses and emotional anguish. If a boater is negligent and causes an accident, they are responsible to provide you compensation for these losses. A boater may be negligent if they violate a rule of the water or simply operate their boat in a careless manner.
Even so, obtaining compensation after a boat accident can be complicated. Many defendants do not have insurance, and so negotiations may fall flat against a defendant who is unwilling to provide payments without going to court. In other cases, a defendant may argue that you contributed to the accident and do not deserve compensation.
A Boonville boat accident lawyer may be able to help your case. Our skilled lawyers at The A.W. Smith Law Firm can work with you to explain how a defendant was negligent, what this means for your case, and to demand fail payments for your losses. Call today to schedule a free consultation.
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