5 Things YOU Can Do to Help Win Your Personal Injury Case (Part 2)

In this week’s blog, we would like to continue with part two on how to help with your personal injury case at Lake of the Ozarks. There may be a lot of things that feel beyond your control when you are dealing with a personal injury caused by someone else’s negligence. But, there are several things that you can do to help your situation and achieve the best possible outcome. In part one we talked about how to handle your medical care, seeking legal advice as quickly as possible, and documenting absolutely everything. This week we’re going to give you two more tips to help you with your case. Just keep reading to see tip #4 and #5!

4) Representation

There will be many discussions about your medical condition and care, but ultimately the personal injury case is about legalities. That is why it is so important to have legal representation for every conversation with involved parties such as insurance companies and attorneys. When you don’t understand the legal nuances of a personal injury case it can be easy to allow the opposing attorney to lead you into saying things that can be construed as fault or responsibility. When you have an attorney like Roger Gibbons by your side with legal expertise in personal injury cases, you can rely on him to guide you and help protect you from being misled.

5) Communication

When you do give statements about your injury or the accident itself, is best to be direct, honest, and without exaggeration or embellishment. At the same time, usually the less said the better. This is true even when you are not officially giving statements. In conversations with friends and family, and comments or posts on social media, it is best to stay away from the topic of your injury, recovery, the accident, or anything related to it. Even celebrating a milestone like finally being able to drive or walk far enough to get into a movie theater can be used to imply that your life is not limited at all by the opposing attorney. 

Your Future is Worth a Free Consultation!

With all you have to take care of regarding your injury and recovery and all the ways your life and your family are being impacted, let Gibbons Law Firm take a load off by handling your personal injury case. Our personal injury attorneys at Lake of the Ozarks are capable and confident when it comes to fighting your case and are not afraid of litigation if that is what is in the best interest of their clients. We know that the outcome of the case will directly impact your future and we are ready to apply all our skills and resources to achieve the best possible outcome for you. 

Take advantage of the opportunity to speak with us for a free consultation to see if you have a personal injury case and learn more about how the process works. Keep in mind, we normally handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t have to have money in order to pursue your case. We would love to meet you and see how we can help. It is as easy as calling to schedule your appointment. If you’d like to stay in touch and hear more legal tips and helpful information from our attorneys in mid-Missouri, we invite you to focus on social media using the links below.

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

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5 Things YOU Can Do to Help Win Your Personal Injury Case (Part One of Two)

At Gibbons Law Firm we see the hardships that people with serious injuries go through, and we know how life shattering it can be for them. There are a lot of unknowns and a lot of things to adapt to and try to figure out and overcome. The injured person usually has to face medical bills, surgeries, rehab, loss of work and then try to balance the emotional toll all that takes, as well. It’s something that affects the entire family over a long period of time if not for life. At times it may begin to feel like everything is beyond your control. As personal injury attorneys, we think it is empowering for people to know what they can do to help their own case, so they don’t feel even more helpless during this time. If you or someone you know has been a victim of a serious injury at Lake of the Ozarks due to someone else’s negligence and would like to know what you can do to benefit your own case, we have five things for you to consider in this two-part blog.

1) Medical Care

It can be very important to seek (and not refuse) medical care at the time of the accident. A person can actually be seriously injured – even have broken bones - and not realize it because they are in shock or just think they are sore or rattled. It’s better to have your medical condition assessed and documented by a medical professional to be certain, and so that you’re not just relying on your word if you end up filing a personal injury case. You will want to follow the advice of the medical professionals at the time and throughout your care. Unfortunately, insurance attorneys can try to shift the blame to the victim and look for ways to make it seem like they are creating their own limitations. Following and documenting medical advice helps show the Court you’re doing everything you can to recover. 

Legal Advice

It is best to seek legal advice as early in the process as possible. An experienced personal injury attorney will know how to guide you and can begin investigating on your behalf while the evidence is fresh. At our law office in Lake Ozark we serve our personal injury clients on a contingency fee basis which means we get paid out of the settlement from their case. So, they don’t have to have money in order for us to fight their case for them. There is no cost for an initial consultation to come in and see where you stand, what your rights are, and if you have a potential case.

Documentation

We recommend starting a journal as soon as possible to document the accident that caused your injury, the day-to-day limitations and life changes you are experiencing, your doctor visits and updates, any conversations about your injury or your case, etc. Writing down any details you can remember immediately after the accident is important because those details may become less sharp over time. On the other hand, you may remember other details later as you recover more. Keeping all of that in one place allows you to provide a more complete picture to share with your attorney to use for your benefit in your personal injury case at Lake of the Ozarks.

More to Come from Gibbons Law Firm Next Week in Part 2!

We have 2 additional ways you can potentially help your personal injury case to share with you next week in part 2. But you don’t have to wait until then to schedule a free consultation with our personal injury attorneys at Lake of the Ozarks. Just call to schedule your appointment - the number is below. Be sure to use the links there as well to follow us on social media for more tips and helpful legal information from Gibbons Law Firm!

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

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Estate Planning - 3 Tips for Single Parents

If you are a single parent, chances are you work really hard to take care of everything your child needs. It is a 24/7 job that takes everything you have, that you give your all to because it matters. At Gibbons Law Firm we very much respect that. We understand that the role you play in your child’s life is foundational, and that no one could do the job like you. As estate planning attorneys at Lake of the Ozarks, we also know the importance of having an estate plan as a single parent, in case something was to ever happen to you. It’s a terrible thing to think about, but as much as you care about your kids, it provides tremendous peace of mind to know that you have done as much as you can to help your kids through their future even if you’re not around to be there with them. We help single parents with estate planning on a regular basis at Gibbons Law Firm. We can help make what seems like a daunting task, much more comfortable and less complicated for you. Best of all, after working with us, you know you have done your job to look out for your family in the event that something was to happen to you. So, we wanted to share with you three things to think about in today’s blog that will help you get started in the estate planning process.

1) Life Insurance

With all the expenses that go along with raising a child, having a life insurance policy to help with those expenses is essential. In addition to getting that policy in place, you want to think about how those funds are going to be handled and by whom. Your kids are minors and not in a position to be responsible for handling large sums of money on their own. We can help you set up a trust or make arrangements for the money to be handled for the child until they are of age to be financially responsible. You can decide how you want those things handled and Gibbons Law Firm will help you document it legally.

2) Guardianship

It is a difficult task to think about who you would want to raise your children for you if you were to pass away. There are a lot of things to consider when making that decision. Of course, most of the time a parent will choose a close family member, but sometimes parents will choose close friends instead. One thing that a parent will take into consideration includes the parenting style of the person they are wanting to be the guardian. Choosing a guardian that has a similar parenting philosophy, home environment, and lifestyle, can make the transition for your child much easier and less traumatic. You might consider where the guardian lives because it may be much easier for your child if they are able to remain in the same school and still have access to friends and family that they’ve always spent time with. Once you have someone in mind, have a conversation with them to make sure they are willing to take on the responsibility and are in agreement with you documenting them as their child’s legal guardian should something happen to you.

3) Living Will

Once these things are decided, it’s time to put them into a legal legally binding document. Without a will, the Court will decide these things instead of you. You can avoid that by having a will made it Lake of the Ozarks with the help of Gibbons Law Firm. Our estate planning attorneys in mid Missouri can help you make sure what happens to your kids are decided by you and not the State.

Gain Peace of Mind with Help from Gibbons Law Firm

While it seems easy to put this off, it feels much better knowing you have it done. Let us help you put these documents in place to ensure your wishes are known and honored if the unthinkable were to happen to you. If you have any questions, take advantage of a free initial consultation at our Lake Ozark law firm. We would be happy to sit down with you and talk about the different factors involved and help you get an understanding of what you can do to look out for your kids. If you’d like to hear more legal tips and helpful information from Gibbons Law Firm, you can use the links below to follow us on social media and stay in the loop!

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

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Cheers to the Designated Driver

The holidays are here and as many of us are looking forward to a season of celebration, there are a few unsung heroes out there that are worth mentioning. While friends and family members gather together to make memories and have fun, the dedicated designated driver helps them all do it safely. It really isn’t safe to walk the line by trying to judge how many drinks you should or shouldn’t have before you get behind the wheel. When you have a sober chauffeur, everyone else can just enjoy.

Whether that means a friend who cares enough to refrain from drinking or hiring an Uber or some other transport service, often the most important thing is to make the decision ahead of time and have a mindset that if you plan to drink, you will plan ahead and have a safe ride home. Even though we all know it’s true, it helps to have a few reminders of why it’s so important not to drive while you’re under the influence of alcohol. Today’s blog outlines five ways alcohol effects your driving, and why having a designated driver is so important and appreciated.

1) How You React

So many variables can happen when you’re driving, from a deer darting across the road to a car pulling out of a blind driveway on a curve. You also have drivers who are distracted, or under the influence of alcohol themselves. When you drink, it can cause you to be slower to react to the unexpected and make it harder for you to avoid a collision.

2) How Your Eyes Respond

Our eyes tend to be drawn towards light, like oncoming headlights, and when driving at night we have to be able to gauge our distance from oncoming traffic. That can be harder to do when we have been drinking.

3) How You Think

In many ways, a person’s decision making is different when they are drinking versus when they are not. When you’re behind the wheel, you must be able to make quick decisions, think ahead, and be aware of your surroundings. Alcohol can be a hindrance to all of these.

4) How Well You Track

When a driver has been drinking, they tend to not look as far down the road, and not track as straight. This leads to weaving or even swerving depending on how much they have been drinking. This is not only high risk for getting you pulled over, but also risk for causing a serious accident.

5) Your Focus and Speed Control

Generally, when people have been drinking, they don’t stay focused as well as they do when they’re sober. So, keeping track of their speed is more difficult went under the influence.

Appreciate Your Designated Driver!

It is for all these reasons and more that Gibbons Law Firm has such a great respect for the designated driver and the responsible adults who plan ahead before drinking. We know it is a time of year when people are celebrating and making memories. As personal injury attorneys at Lake of the Ozarks, we have seen happy times turn tragic because of drinking and driving. It only takes a little bit of planning, to make a huge difference in your life and someone else’s. Don’t take chances, find a designated driver, and treat them well! They are doing a great service for you and others. If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a car accident in mid-Missouri due to someone else is drinking and driving, please contact our law firm in Lake Ozark for a free initial consultation. To hear more helpful legal tips and information from Gibbons Law Firm, use the link below to follow us on social media.

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

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3 Tips to Guide You When Dividing Marital Property

Going through a divorce is not easy. It is not just about the emotional situation you find yourself in, it is also about potentially selling a house, moving, deciding on things like child custody, and division of marital assets. A lot of factors are involved in dealing with each one of these things and any way that you can make the process easier for yourself is worth considering. At Gibbons Law Firm, we understand it is a stressful time for you. We also have been down this road helping clients achieve their goals and start new chapters in life. When it comes to dividing assets, we do have a few tips that can help you get through the process easier and with less cost. So, just keep reading for three ideas that will help you when dividing marital assets.

1) Decide for Yourself

In the process of a divorce, there are a lot of factors that the Court will factor in when it comes to dividing marital property. The Court will look at each spouse’s current income, their earning potential, and even how they handled their finances during the marriage. This can lead to requiring a lot of documentation and time, and in the end, it still may not be what either of you want. 

2) Focus on Something You Both Can Live With

While there may not be a perfect way to divide assets so that both parties gets 100% of what they want, it is more likely that the two of you would be able to sit down and come up with what you both can live with. This was not something you planned having to do. It’s not going to be perfect, but you can reach an equitable (which doesn’t always mean equal) agreement where you can move forward with your life.

3) Be Business-Minded

It is easy to let yourself start thinking about how unfair it is to have to decide who gets what. Emotions are naturally high during a divorce, but they are usually not helpful when it comes to negotiations. The more you can think about this process as a business decision, the easier it will be to come to a mutual agreement. That is why having a compassionate and experienced divorce attorney at Lake of the Ozarks to diffuse emotions and negotiate on your behalf can make the whole process much less stressful and potentially bring about a better outcome.

Let Roger Gibbons Guide You Through Your Divorce 

Roger Gibbons is well versed in handling these types of negotiations compassionately and intelligently. He listens to his clients to understand their most important desired outcomes and helps guide them to a path that is most likely to bring that outcome for them. Then he negotiates on their behalf to come to a legal agreement that everyone is willing to sign. If you have any questions about dividing marital property, or any aspect of the divorce process, please call Gibbons Law Firm and schedule a free initial consultation. It will feel better knowing what your rights are and what the process looks like so you can make an informed decision from there. If you’d like to hear more helpful information and legal tips from our law firm in Lake Ozark, we have links below for you to use to follow us on your favorite social media platform.

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

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Safe Driving Tips for the Upcoming Holiday Season

It is hard to believe it, but the holiday season is right around the corner. With Thanksgiving coming up it’s the kick-off to the season, and that means more people out and about on the roads. Whether driving for holiday shopping, visiting family and friends, or attending dinners and parties, there are usually a lot more people out on the roads during this time of year. So it’s a great time to remember a few safe driving tips to help you and others while out on the road. If you’d like to to make your holiday season a little safer, here are 5 tips for you to consider. 

1) Mind the Weather

If you find yourself driving in rain or snow, it’s important for you to make adjustments to the weather conditions. It may take longer for you to get stopped, it may be easier to hydroplane or lose traction, and you will need to adjust your stopping distance appropriately as well. How your car handles the specific weather conditions you’re in can vary depending on things like the weight of your vehicle, your tires, etc. So, you can’t just adjust to the speed of traffic, you must adjust to your specific vehicle. You also want to take into account that other drivers may not be making these adjustments, which makes it all the more important that you do.

2) Watch Your Speed

We may be more excited about our destinations this time of the year, but don’t let that get you in a rush. The impact of a car crash is exponentially worse when it occurs at higher speeds. Speed limits are set based on road conditions like curves, and blind driveways. Just because you are capable of maneuvering the roads at a higher speed does not mean that it is safe to do so. So, respect the speed limit, keep yourself and others safe, and avoided a ticket, too.

3) Be Disciplined – No Distractions

Again, it is a more exciting time of the year, and that can make it even harder to stay focused when driving. But distracted driving is extremely dangerous and can be deadly. It only takes a moment of having your eyes off the road to cause an accident. It is not worth risking your life or the lives of others. So, be disciplined and don’t just avoid texting and driving, don’t let eating, adjusting the radio, or talking to your passengers become a distraction either.

4) Drive Defensively

It is easy to assume that other drivers will follow the rules of the road as well as you do, but that is not always the case. Sometimes people forget to signal, fail to yield, or don’t stop when you have the right of way. If you always have a plan for what to do if the other guy isn’t paying attention, you’re much more likely to be able to make an evasive maneuver or avoid a collision. Defensive driving also means being aware of your surroundings, keeping a safe distance between you and the car in front of you, watching your blind spot, and staying out of other people’s blind spots. The more you look out for yourself, the more personal control you have to avoid a collision.

5) Remember - It is OR not AND!

As always, we cannot fail to remind our readers that if you’re going to drink, don’t drive. If you are going to drive, don’t drink. Drink OR drive - it is or not and. If you choose to drink, use a designated driver, or get an Uber, but don’t take a chance getting behind the wheel when you are under the influence.

At Gibbons Law Firm, we look forward to the holiday season and all the joy it brings. We want you to have a happy time with your friends and family, and safe travels on the roads as well. As personal injury attorneys at Lake of the Ozarks we know how devastating car accidents can be, and we want to do anything we can to help people avoid them. If you or someone you know has been injured in a serious car accident because of someone else’s negligence, it is important that they have legal guidance to know what their rights are, and where they stand. If they are entitled to compensation, they deserve someone that is going to fight for them and be with them every step of the way to get it. Keep in mind that we offer free consultations at our law firm in Lake Ozark and we generally take personal injury cases in Central Missouri on a contingency basis so you do not have to have money in order for us to fight your case. Give us a call at our law office in Lake Ozark to schedule an appointment, and be sure to follow us on social media using the links below if you’d like to hear more tips and legal information from Gibbons Law Firm. 

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

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Do YOU Have an Estate Plan for Your Business? Here's Why You Should.

Running your own business is certainly not for the faint of heart. When you are able to build up a successful business, that usually means many years of dedication, heart, time and energy that you have sacrificed to get to where you are. Have you ever thought about what would happen to your business if you were no longer able to run it? Or what that would mean for your family, or your employees and their families? In the same way that people will put off having a personal estate plan made, it is not uncommon for business owners to not even think about creating an estate plan for their business. But there are several things to consider when you run your own business and would certainly want to avoid if something were to happen to you. So, in today’s blog, we are going to talk about three things to think about as a business owner, when it comes to planning your estate.

1) Leadership

Running your business takes a very specific skill set. If you have a family member who is highly involved in the business, it may make sense for them to carry on in your place. But, what if no one in the family has the skills, time, or interest in running your business? Maybe they are willing and interested, but just don’t have the skills. If that’s the case, it would be a benefit to have a plan for who would have the skills and ability to lead the business if you are no longer there to do it. You also will want to create a transition plan for that person and make sure that if they are positioned to take leadership, they would also have access to bank accounts, online accounts, financial information, and technical information about the business, etc.

2) Ownership

Your spouse or family can still own the business while you have someone else appointed to lead the business. But if that is not as beneficial to your family as a one-time payment would be, then you might want to consider other options. If you have business partners, they may be interested in buying your portion of the business from your family. It is a smart idea for business partners to have life insurance policies on each other so that if one of them were to pass, there would be funds available for the buyout. If you do not have partners but still believe your family would want to sell the business, then it’s a good idea to have information regarding valuation and other important information that would make transfer of ownership more feasible. That transition plan we talked about can help tremendously if you think selling the business would be the best option at that point.

3) Taxes and Probate

Unfortunately, the tax liability that comes upon a business when the owner dies also comes with a deadline. It is very sad when businesses have to liquidate in order to pay the tax burden on time. You don’t want your business to end that way, so if you would rather your family or business partners have a chance to run your business rather than it coming to an end, then talk to your estate planning attorney at Lake of the Ozarks about an estate plan for your business.

Our business law attorneys at Lake of the Ozarks know that an estate plan is one of the last things of business owners thinking about when they’re building up their business. But we also know how important it is. So, if you have any question at all, feel free to take advantage of a free initial consultation with our lawyers in Lake Ozark. It is as simple as giving us a call and getting on the schedule. We can make the process of estate planning for your business in mid-Missouri easy and effective for you. We can also help you with other legal matters as well. For more helpful information and legal tips from our law office in Lake Ozark, we invite you to use the links below to follow us on social media.

Remember, your initial consultation with Gibbons Law Firm is always free.

Your Trusted Legal Resource

Gibbons Law Firm

2820 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B4

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

(573) 348-2211

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