Missouri Boat Accident Attorneys
St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyers
When fun in the sun on the family boat turns from good to bad because of the carelessness of other Missouri and Illinois boaters, you need somewhere to turn to get your questions answered. Fortunately, you can trust the Illinois and Missouri boating accident lawyers of CofmanTownsley. With more than 30 years of successful personal injury litigation, our Missouri and Illinois injury lawyers know the ins and outs of handling boating accident claims and are dedicated to serving every client with compassion, respect, and understanding. Let us help you through this difficult time.
Boat Injury Basics
Whether your Missouri or Illinois boating accident was caused by another boat operator’s drunkenness or inexperience, you likely have a valid claim, particularly if the accident resulted in injury to yourself or someone on your watercraft. Among the most common causes of boat accidents in 2004, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, were:
- careless or reckless operation
- operator inattention
- operator inexperience
- excessive speed
- hazardous waters
- alcohol use
Additionally, the three most common types of Missouri and Illinois boat accidents are collisions with other vessels, collisions with fixed objects such as a pier, and passengers falling overboard. Other common types of accidents are skier mishaps and capsizing.
As with a car accident, it’s helpful to keep documentation relating to your boating accident in a convenient location. Items that may be helpful to your claim include the boating accident report, receipts from boat repair work and medical care, and photographs of the damage to your boat, the accident scene, and the injuries you and any other passengers sustained. Also, if you haven’t already done so, try to get the names and contact information of anyone who may have witnessed the accident. Contacting these people as your claim develops may be helpful, as witnesses can attest to the carelessness of the other boater.
Another note of importance is to be careful of speaking to insurance adjusters. Often an adjuster with the other boater’s insurance provider will contact the other party to get a statement or have him or her sign a release. If someone contacts you for something similar, know that you don’t have to talk to the adjuster nor do you have to sign a release. In fact, it’s best to contact an attorney before doing either to be sure that you don’t sign away any rights or hurt your claim.
Seeking Legal Aid
When looking for a Missouri or Illinois boat injury lawyer, look for someone who is experienced in handling boat accident claims and who works on a contingency basis (which means he or she gets paid only after getting you compensation for your damage and injuries). The boat injury attorneys of CofmanTownsley know the laws that relate to your Missouri or Illinois boat accident and understand you’re likely facing many challenges as a result of your accident. That’s why we take every step necessary to make your relationship with us convenient and reassuring.
Our lawyers and support staff make it a goal to keep you informed and up-to-date on your claim’s status. By doing so, we can be sure we’re taking action that’s in your best interest, whether that means settling your claim outside of court or proceeding with a lawsuit and trial.
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Our practice areas include the following: auto accident, boat accident, brain injury, drug injuries, defective products, defective medical device, dog bite, drunk driving, lead poisoning, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, slip and fall, social security disability, truck accident, and wrongful death.
By completing a free consultation form online or calling our office at 1-866-483-3618, one of our Missouri and Illinois boat accident lawyers will contact you to discuss your accident and potential boating injury claim. This initial consultation is free and provides time for you to ask all your questions so you can make the best decision on how to move forward. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve for the damage and injury you’re facing. CofmanTownsley injury lawyers are here for you. Our main office is located in St. Louis, Missouri, but we practice throughout Missouri and Illinois. We have successfully advocated for clients in the greater St. Louis, Missouri-Illinois area and also in Jefferson City, Kansas City, and Springfield, Missouri.
CofmanTownsley
319 N. 4th Street
St. Louis, MO 63102
Toll Free: 1-866-483-3618
Local: (314) 436-1111
Fax: (314) 621-3118
