If you sustained a brain injury due to the negligent actions of another person or a company, contact the Liberty personal injury attorneys of House Packard McElderry, LLC right now to discuss your legal options. We might be able to represent you in a case against the at-fault party and seek compensation on your behalf.
The severity of a brain injury depends on the type and location of the damage. Injuries to the brain can cause permanent or temporary disruptions in function. Minor brain injuries heal entirely with adequate treatment. However, severe brain injuries can be permanent and cause physical and mental impairments.
A range of factors can contribute to a brain injury. Car accidents commonly lead to concussions when an occupant hits their head on the steering wheel or dashboard. Concussions can also result from trauma to the head after falling down the stairs or tripping on a hazard. Various symptoms can appear depending on the type and severity of the injury. Some start immediately, while others aren’t apparent until days or weeks later.
At House Packard McElderry, LLC, we understand a person’s challenges after a brain injury. The injury can interfere with every aspect of daily life and routine. For some accident victims, returning to work isn’t possible. Others require assistance performing routine tasks. The cost of medical bills can be expensive and lead to massive debt.
Someone else is at fault for the incident and should be liable for your injury. You should not face the consequences of their wrongdoing. House Packard McElderry, LLC is ready to help you fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. We can handle every legal aspect of your case so you can focus on recovering. We will treat you as a priority and provide the guidance and support you need during this traumatic experience.
Call House Packard McElderry, LLC at (816) 381-9105 today for your free consultation with one of our brain injury attorneys in Liberty, MO.
Common Types of Boating Accidents
Boat operators are supposed to follow all boating laws. Violating any state or federal regulations increases the risk of injury and death. Boating accidents can have life-altering consequences and interfere with a person’s daily routine.
You should not wait to seek legal action against the at-fault party. They are responsible for your injury and should be liable for the medical care you need to recover. The Liberty boat accident lawyers of House Packard McElderry, LLC are ready to be your advocate and fight for you.
A range of circumstances can result in an accident while you’re on a vessel. Boat accidents don’t only involve collisions. They can include drowning incidents, falling overboard, and various other scenarios. The most common types of boat accidents include:
Fires could occur on boats if the motor contains faulty wiring or if an electrical component contacts something that causes a spark. Smoke inhalation and burn injuries are common during boat fires, especially if the owner doesn’t have the necessary fire protection equipment.
Passengers can slip on a wet surface or trip over a hazard on a vessel. The dangerous conditions could cause someone to fall off the boat or hit their head. It’s the owner’s responsibility to keep their vessel safe, so occupants don’t get hurt.
Boats can crash into each other if operators don’t pay attention to what they’re doing and lose control of the vessel. A collision could cause significant damage and debilitating injuries to the passengers.
Boats can hit waves at high speeds or crash into another vessel or object on the water and cause people to fall overboard. Those thrown overboard could drown if they’re not wearing a life jacket or don’t know how to swim.
It’s crucial for boat operators to pay attention to people in the water. Swimmers can get run over or sustain injuries from contact with a propeller on a passing vessel.
According to statistics, 75 percent of boating fatalities were due to drowning, and 85 percent of these victims weren’t wearing life jackets. All occupants should have access to a life jacket and wear one if they don’t know how to swim or encounter dangerous conditions that could cause them to fall overboard.
Vessels capsize for a range of reasons. Contributing factors, such as turning the boat too fast or hitting a wave at high speeds, can cause a boat to overturn and trap people inside.
If you were hurt in a boating accident, our Liberty injury attorneys can help you hold the responsible party accountable.
Contact a Boating Accident Lawyer
Common Causes of Boating Accidents
Although Liberty isn’t near the ocean or gulf, the city offers plenty of rivers and lakes for water activities. Boating season often coincides with multiple holidays, such as the 4th of July and Memorial Day. Many people celebrate by taking their boats out on the water.
Boating under the influence is a serious problem that can lead to catastrophic accidents. Many people don’t understand the risk they take when operating a vessel with alcohol in their system. The same blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher that leads to a DUI when driving can lead to a BWI (boating while intoxicated) charge. Alcohol impairs faculties and can lead to a slower reaction time, poor coordination, decreased motor skills, and blurry vision.
Alcohol and drugs are common factors that contribute to boat accidents. Other common causes of boating accidents include:
Anyone operating a motorboat or personal watercraft must be at least 14 years old unless supervised by someone on board who is at least 16 years of age. Inexperience is dangerous and can place others at risk of serious harm. An inexperienced operator might exceed the speed limit, pass other vessels too closely, or mishandle emergencies.
Although it seems unnecessary, various parts of rivers and lakes have speed limits. The operator should slow down in certain areas, especially while approaching land. Boating above the speed limit could cause the operator to lose control of their vessel and crash into another boat or run aground.
Boat operators must focus on their surroundings at all times. They should pay attention to other vessels, swimmers, and anything else that could endanger their passengers and other people. Texting at the wheel or allowing other distractions to redirect focus can lead to an accident.
Vessels should have lookouts to help boat operators safely navigate waterways. The lookout should inform the operator of hazards, people swimming in the water, or dangerous conditions they encounter. If the operator is boating alone, they have a duty to be vigilant while their vessel is in motion.
Multiple parties could be at fault for a boating accident. Whether the operator of the boat you were in or someone else is responsible for your injury, you have a right to seek compensation. At House Packard McElderry, LLC, our boat accident lawyers in Liberty, MO, take a personalized approach to every case we handle and try to reach the best possible result for our clients.
Statute of Limitations for Boat Accidents
Missouri’s statute of limitations allows five years from the date of your injury to file your lawsuit against the negligent party. You could lose your right to compensation if the statutory period expires before you file suit. It’s vital to begin working on your case immediately after the accident, so you don’t run out of time.
Contact Us
House Packard McElderry, LLC believes in representing people who were wronged by others. We will remain by your side in the fight for justice and compensation. You can count on our Liberty boating accident lawyers to tirelessly work to meet your needs and try to resolve your case favorably.
If you sustained an injury in a boat accident in Liberty, MO, that wasn’t your fault, call us at (816) 381-9105 for your free consultation.