Lake of the Ozarks Boat Accident Attorney

When an Exciting Afternoon on the Water Ends in Tragedy, Call on Boat Accident Lawyer EC Duckworth to Recover the Compensation You Deserve

EC Duckworth, an experienced boat accident attorney serving the Lake of the Ozarks, is prepared to take your case to court to pursue the maximum compensation you are entitled to

A carefree day at the Lake of the Ozarks can quickly take a turn and lead to a lifetime of pain for individuals and families in Benton, Camden, Miller, and Morgan Counties, Missouri. Whether an accident is caused by inexperienced, intoxicated, or underaged watercraft operators, or negligent boat or jet ski rental companies, the risks on the Lake are real and significant. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a boating accident, you have legal rights, and a skilled boat accident attorney can help you protect them.

For victims of boat or jet ski accidents at the Lake of the Ozarks, pursuing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit typically requires filing your case in the county where the accident occurred. With four counties making up the Lake region, it is crucial to work with an attorney who has a proven track record of winning cases for clients in these counties. Residents and visitors alike can rely on EC Duckworth of Duckworth Injury Law to handle their case with experience, diligence, and determination.

Schedule a free case consultation with EC Duckworth today to discuss your options. Time limits apply to filing claims, so prompt action is essential to protecting your rights and for preserving key evidence.

Is it better to settle a boat accident claim or to take the case to trial at the Lake of the Ozarks?

The resolution of a boat accident claim, whether through settlement or litigation, depends on several factors. Many claims are settled out of court when the responsible party offers full and fair compensation for all of your damages – both physical and emotional – eliminating the need for a trial. However, when the negligent party’s insurance company refuses to accept responsibility for the accident or refuses to provide adequate funds that the victims and their families are entitled to after a tragic accident, litigation may be necessary. In these situations, boat accident attorney EC Duckworth is fully prepared to take your case to court, including trial. With a proven history of courtroom success, he fights tirelessly to ensure his clients receive the compensation they deserve for their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Simply put, whether it is better to settle or proceed to trial depends on your unique circumstances and goals. If an initial settlement fails to cover your past and future medical expenses, as well as the emotional distress caused by the accident, rejecting the offer and pursuing additional compensation through continued negotiation or litigation may be in your best interest. In certain cases, taking a boat or jet ski accident claim to trial provides the strongest opportunity for full and fair compensation. In cases where liability is disputed, litigation gives the parties an opportunity to better understand each other’s positions through depositions and written discovery. If no agreement can be reached, a jury will get to hear the evidence and arguments of the parties and decide how much you should be awarded in your case. 

While accepting an early settlement offer can shorten the amount of time it takes to complete your claim, the insurance company’s first offer is almost never going to be a fair offer, nor will it be the insurance company’s best offer. Only in cases where the insurance company is offering the full extent of its liability policy limits would we likely recommend accepting an opening offer. 

It is important to recognize that any case, whether settled outside of court or during litigation, may take months or even years to resolve. Typically, your attorney should wait until you have completed medical treatment or have a future medical cost projection in place prior to attempting to resolve your case. Treatment takes time and rushing your case/and or treatment leads to a lesser recovery for you. That is why you need an attorney committed to your best interests, not their own. EC Duckworth takes pride in standing up for victims at the Lake of the Ozarks and across Osage Beach, Camdenton, Laurie, Sunrise Beach, and Lake Ozark, and understands that if a settlement offer isn’t good enough, litigation is the next phase forward. Contact Duckworth Injury Law today to learn more about how your case may proceed.