Boating Accident Lawyers in Kansas City, MO, Helping You Seek Compensation for Watercraft Injuries

Missouri and Kansas are fortunate to have a bounty of lakes and rivers that provide scenic landscapes, abundant fishing opportunities, and a variety of recreational water sports. Like many boaters, jet skiers, and other water-goers can attest. However, there are always potential risks out on the water. Accidents are a common occurrence, and when they occur, they can result in significant personal injuries. If you or a loved one was harmed in such an incident, it’s important to hold at-fault parties accountable. In doing so, you can seek compensation for injuries suffered. A boating accident lawyer in Kansas City, MO, may be able to help.

At Mohlman Gurney Injury Law, our dedicated team of personal injury lawyers can assist in investigating your accident and filing boat accident claims on your behalf. We can also deal with settlement negotiations with an insurance company, so you may be able to avoid court altogether. Our law firm has served citizens of the Kansas City area since 2005, and we’re dedicated to helping each of our clients secure maximum compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation. We can help you better understand your rights and fight to ensure you’re reimbursed for all your losses.

The Danger of Boating Accidents in Missouri and Kansas

In 2021, drowning deaths at the Lake of the Ozarks hit their highest point in nearly 15 years. Of course, not all fatalities on the water are related to drowning. While nearly 80% of deaths on the lake are due to such incidents, accidents leading to traumatic brain injuries, blood loss, and a variety of other factors can prove fatal as well. When a boat accident occurs, such harm can befall both passengers and those not aboard the vessel. Injuries in accidents involving other personal watercraft—such as jet skis—are often more severe than boating injuries. This is much like how motorcyclists typically experience more severe harm when struck by a vehicle. They simply have less protection.

Unfortunately, much of the real danger related to a boat accident—whether it involves passengers or other victims—comes from Missouri laws. To operate a vessel in the state, a person needs only obtain a boater safety certification card. This just requires one course to obtain, and after paying a $15 fee for an identification card, nearly anyone can operate a large watercraft. Additionally, the safety certification is only required by individuals born after Jan. 1, 1984. That means it doesn’t take much to legally operate a vessel, and unfortunately, this creates a boating accident risk due to inexperienced operators.

Of course, boating accidents aren’t merely reserved for the inexperienced. Anything from distracted operation to drugs and alcohol can lead to a severe incident. It’s not even necessary for a collision to occur for serious injuries to be sustained. If someone falls overboard due to operator inattention or other acts of negligence, significant harm can easily occur. Unfortunately, the majority of boat accidents do involve drugs or alcohol. Those whose actions lead to injury or wrongful death cases must be held accountable both criminally and financially. Experienced attorneys who handle boating accidents can help with the latter.

Common Boat Accident Injuries

In any boating accident case, injury victims face the potential for life-altering harm. It’s one thing to be involved in an automobile accident—where you’re protected by a metal vehicle, and rescuers can easily get to you. When a boat accident occurs out on the water aboard an open-air watercraft, you don’t have these luxuries. Whether you’re on a large vessel, a personal watercraft, or riding on skis or river tubes, a collision can result in significant injuries for accident victims. Some of the most common we see in personal injury, and wrongful death claim cases are:

Concussions
Head and brain injuries
Back and neck injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Lacerations
Broken bones
Paraplegia or quadriplegia
Drowning
Death

Individuals having fun on the water can use all appropriate safety equipment and follow guidelines, but when excessive speed and other reckless behaviors are involved, serious injuries can still occur. Unfortunately, many of these injuries can result in lifelong damage. This means lost income, pain and suffering, ongoing medical bills, and an overall inability to enjoy life like you used to. When this happens, it’s important to hold responsible parties accountable for their actions. A Kansas City boating accident lawyer can help with this process. You should contact a personal injury law firm as soon as possible.

Protecting Yourself From Boating Accidents

Safety should be everyone’s number one priority on the water. This means more than just taking appropriate precautions in case you make a mistake; it also means mitigating the possible damage caused by other boats and individuals on the water. The following safety guidelines will not prevent all potential accidents or serious injuries. However, abiding by these rules will help reduce your risk—and in the end, this increases your chances of returning home safely.

Always wear a life jacket
Require everyone else to wear life jackets
Never operate a boat or watercraft after consuming alcohol
Never let anyone operate the boat who has consumed alcohol
Maintain a safe speed at all times
When on boats, keep all necessary safety equipment on board
Familiarize yourself with your surroundings to avoid environmental hazards
Avoid congested waterway traffic when possible
Follow the law at all times

The old adage states that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure,” and this holds true for preventing and minimizing the effect of boating accidents. Unfortunately, even the staunchest adherence to the rules cannot always protect against the negligence of other boats and individuals on Missouri and Kansas waterways. If you’ve been injured or are the loved one of any boat accident victims, you don’t have to face the future alone. Contact Mohlman Gurney Injury Law today and schedule a free consultation with a Kansas City boat accident attorney who’s ready to help.

Can Boating Accident Personal Injury Lawyers Help?

Anyone who experienced a boat accident will invariably ask whether they need a legal team representing them. After all, injured victims and their loved ones are well within their rights to negotiate an insurance company settlement and file a wrongful death lawsuit or personal injury claim. Many people think that this is an easy way to save money over hiring an attorney—particularly if liability is clear and an insurance adjuster seems like they’re honestly concerned with getting you a fair settlement. Unfortunately, it’s rarely as cut and dry as this.

If you ask any Kansas City boat accident lawyer, they can tell you about the strategies that insurance companies utilize to offer low settlements. Adjusters will likely attempt to elicit an admission of partial guilt from you, and since Missouri is a comparative negligence state, this will result in a lower possible court award. Many people who opt to file a lawsuit on their own also quickly discover how difficult it can be without an attorney. This is particularly true since—if your case goes to trial—you’ll have to face off against experienced insurance company attorneys.

The simple fact is that having a Kansas City personal injury attorney on your side can prove invaluable. At Mohlman Gurney Injury Law, we have experience dealing with insurance companies. We’re also not one of those law firms that will shy away from litigation. If we can’t secure a fair settlement for an injured person, we’ll more than gladly seek compensation in court. Additionally, we offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t spend a dime if we don’t recover financial compensation for you. You have nothing to lose by seeking legal advice, so don’t hesitate to reach out today.

Contact Our Boating Accident Lawyers in Kansas City, MO Today

If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries or worse in a Kansas City boating accident, you’re likely facing an onslaught of difficult decisions. From figuring out how to cover medical bills to wondering whether your job is still waiting for you, moving forward with your life may seem like an impossibility. This is particularly true if a loved one suffered catastrophic injuries or even dies in an accident. Regardless of the specific circumstances of your situation, attorneys experienced in boating accident cases may be able to help. Don’t trust the insurance company to act in your best interest when offering a settlement—and don’t walk into court against their attorneys on your own.

At Mohlman Gurney Injury Law, you’ll have a team of personal injury lawyers dedicated to getting you maximum compensation. We know that the combination of lost wages, medical treatment, emotional distress, and physical injuries can seem daunting. That’s why our law firm is ready to take the burden off your shoulders so you can focus on healing. Our legal professionals are well-versed in Missouri boating laws, settlement negotiations, and personal injury litigation. Contact us today by calling (816) 648-6000 to schedule a free initial consultation. With our team of devoted boating accident lawyers in Kansas City on your side, you can rest comfortably knowing you have an advocate fighting for your rights.