Helping Those Injured in Boat Accidents in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area and throughout Missouri and Illinois
Missouri often ranks as one of the top states for serious boating accidents. Recently, it ranked fifth in the nation and was the highest-ranking inland state for serious boating accidents. Accidents that occur on Lake of the Ozarks account for about half of the state’s total. If you were in a boating accident that is not your fault, you may be eligible for compensation for your losses.
Various Watercraft Can Be Involved in Boating Accidents
Nearly any type of watercraft can be involved in a serious accident. At Kilo Flynn, we regularly represent people who were injured in accidents on the following:
- Speed boats
- Party barges
- Jet skis
- Water skis or inner tubes
- Pontoons
- Ski boats
- Deck boats
Boat accidents can take a variety of forms, including collisions, slip and falls on deck, fires, and hitting a submerged object. Regardless of the type of accident, if it was caused by someone else’s negligence, victims are often able to recover compensation.
Causes of Boating Accidents
There are a number of causes of boating accidents that have the potential to entitle victims to compensation. Some of the most common include the following:
- Operator intoxication
- Operator distraction
- Failure to follow boating rules and regulations
- Failure to obtain the proper training and licensure
- Defective boat design
- Defective boat manufacture
- Negligent boat repair
- Negligence on the part of a marina or boat rental company
What a Boating Accident Lawyer Can Do for You
Determining the cause of your accident is essential in boat accident case, as it will allow you to file a
claim against the appropriate party or parties. If the cause of your accident is unclear, our lawyers will conduct a thorough review of your case and determine from whom you may be able to recover compensation.
Furthermore, boats and boating are subject to numerous laws and regulations, and our attorneys have a thorough understanding of the rules that apply to boats. If one of these rules was violated and the violation led to an accident, you will have a much stronger case. Even if there is not a clear violation, it may be possible to prove that another party is negligent.
Our attorneys will never advise you to take a settlement check from an insurance company unless it is fair and comparable to what you would receive from a jury verdict. We will determine the value of your case by conduct a thorough analysis of your current losses, looking at past damage awards for similar accidents, and evaluating your future losses and bills. Any settlement or judgment you receive will have to be enough to cover your injuries for the rest of your life.
Contact a St. Louis Boat Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in a boat accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you should call a lawyer as soon as possible and preferably before you speak with an insurance company.
The lawyers of Kilo Flynn have worked on boat accident cases throughout Missouri and Illinois. Our clients reside in the Missouri counties of St. Louis, St. Charles, Lincoln, Jefferson, Franklin and Crawford, and the Illinois counties of Madison, St. Clair and Monroe.
To schedule a free consultation with a St. Louis boating accident lawyer, call Kilo Flynn today at 314-647-8910 or contact us online.