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Benefits of a Columbia, MO Boat Accident Attorney

There are many advantages to working with skilled legal counsel when filing a claim for damages after suffering injuries because of someone else’s negligence. Our dedicated boat wreck attorneys could answer your specific questions, particularly regarding the unique aspects of recreational watercraft incidents.

The claims involve complex statutes, insurance challenges, and require careful investigation and evidence review. Contact our office to schedule a consultation and learn about the benefits of a Columbia, MO boat accident attorney.

What Will They Do?

The benefits of a Columbia, MO boat crash attorney include the following:

Investigation and Evidence Preservation

Our team knows this case process inside out and acts quickly to gather all the crucial evidence while it is fresh and available. This includes accident reports, photos of the boat and scene, witness statements, medical records, and other supporting documentation. Prompt action is particularly vital for recreation boating incidents because evidence can disappear quickly.

Insurance Companies Negotiations

We handle negotiations with the insurance company and communicate with the adjusters on your behalf to prevent them from minimizing the payout. Our firm protects clients from lowball offers and negotiates aggressively to secure a fair settlement, sufficient to cover all medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages and losses.

Calculation of Damages and Maximum Compensation

Evaluate all the losses, including calculating your future medical care needs if there is a long-term disability, and the cost of property damages. Having an estimate of your case’s value helps prevent accepting an offer that’s less than you deserve. When individuals try to make calculations and negotiate on their own, they commonly accept a lower amount than those with representation.

Legal Work and Representation in Court

If negotiations with the insurance company are not successful, and they fail to offer an adequate amount, we will handle the necessary legal work and filings, litigation, and represent you in the courtroom. Offering your support and guidance each step of the way while ensuring compliance with the statutes to take the stress and burden off your shoulders.

Rules and Safety Equipment

All boat operators must slow for wakes, remain alert for swimmers and other anchored vessels, and slow to at least 100 feet from docks. The state strictly prohibits reckless boating, including excessive speed and endangering others on your vessel or nearby. Boating under the influence is unlawful, and the state highway patrol takes the offense seriously.

Recreational boaters throughout the state can help keep themselves safe on the waterways and prevent avoidable injuries and legal trouble by following the rules for safety equipment. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Water Patrol Division, anyone entering Missouri’s lakes, rivers, or any public waterway must have the following equipment:

  • United States Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices, for everyone on the vessel, and children under seven must wear one at all times, unless there is a fully enclosed cabin
  • All vessels with inboard engines and closed fuel compartments must carry fire extinguishers that have not reached the expiration date
  • Anyone on the water between sunset and sunrise, or when there is reduced visibility because of weather or fog, must have working navigation lights
  • Whistle, horn, or other sound-producing devices in the event of an emergency
  • Visual distress signals for federal waters
  • All watercraft must have backfire flame arrestors, ventilation, and mufflers to limit noise

The rules apply to personal watercraft, motorized vessels, and sailboats over specific sizes. When someone else’s reckless actions cause you bodily harm, property damage, and other losses, there are many benefits of a boat crash lawyer in Columbia.

Call to Learn About the Benefits of a Boat Accident Lawyer in Columbia, MO

Having a seasoned legal guide to help you through the claims process offers many advantages. We could handle the legal work, negotiations, and communication while fighting for the maximum payout on your behalf. If someone else’s carelessness caused an avoidable crash, you have the right to seek payment from the responsible party. Call today to learn more about the benefits of a Columbia, MO boat accident attorney.