A Complete Guide to File Snowmobile Accident Lawsuit in 2024
Statistical data collected by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Between 2017 and 2018, around 16 people lost their lives in deadly snowmobile accidents. As for snowmobile accident injuries, most of them were caused to:
- The arms: 29% of cases.
- The head and neck: 29% of cases.
- The legs: 21% of cases.
- The torso: 22% of cases.
Potential dangers of driving a snowmobile
- A deadly avalanche swept that snowmobile and its driver and passengers away.
- A collision between two snowmobiles.
- Dangerous driving of the snowmobile.
- Distracted driving, such as using a cell phone to text or take photographs or videos while driving.
- Driving the snowmobile into an obstacle, such as a tree or rock or even a cliff edge.
- Drunk driving.
- Running into wildlife in the middle of the trail.
- Vehicle malfunctions.
Snowmobile Law Primer
- If you want to operate a snowmobile alone, you must be at least 16 years of age and hold a valid driver’s license.
- You also need to have a guardian of at least 18 years of age with a driver’s license.
- Your snowmobile must be registered with the state.
- Your snowmobiles must have at least one headlight to help the driver see 100 feet in the dark.
- Your snowmobiles must have at least one red tail light that can be seen from at least 500 feet away in the dark.
- Your snowmobiles must have sufficient brakes to travel from 20 mph to a complete stop within 40 feet.
- However, the snowmobile may not travel on any limited-access highway except in an emergency; nor may they travel on state-owned land unless you have a special permit.
- Snowmobiles should not be used to hunt any game.
- You cannot operate a snowmobile with either a loaded weapon or a weapon without a case.
Your legal rights after a snowmobile accident
Doesn’t matter whether you are a passenger, driver, or an innocent bystander. The victims of snowmobile crashes have various legal rights. The snowmobile drivers who cause accidents can be held liable for monetary damages if they are found negligent in the operation of their snowmobile and even if they were drunk at the time of the accident.
In addition, the property owners can be held accountable if they know that snowmobile riders are using their property, and are aware of the dangers that existed on that property at the time of the accident.
Nevertheless, the snowmobile operators and owners are obliged to file snowmobile accident lawsuit if the accident caused:
- At least $1,500 in property damage.
- Bodily injuries.
- Death.
You can get fair compensation for physical and psychological injuries resulting from a snowmobile accident. Such injuries include;
- Disability.
- Pain and suffering.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
Since snowmobile injuries can lead to extremely high medical bills and cause victims to lose their chances of working for extended periods, snowmobile cases can also help you recover these types of losses.
The victim’s loved ones can also pursue a wrongful death lawsuit by hiring a skilled and experienced snowmobile accident lawyer in Philadelphia. It helps them seek compensation for the victim’s pain and suffering before death, along with the loss of companionship for family members.
Snowmobile safety tips
- Always wear a properly fitted helmet.
- Get aware of the whole cold-weather first aid procedures.
- Stay at a safe speed.
- Lessen your traveling speed at night, in less visibility, and around curves.
- Dress appropriately according to the conditions. For example, proper cold-weather gear helps you provide comprehensive protection from frostbite and other snowmobile accident injury.
- Check out the conditions of trails and ice where you are planning to travel.
- Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Never get on a snowmobile with a driver whom you know is drunk.
- If you own a snowmobile, maintain it properly and regularly.
- If you are renting a snowmobile, choose a reputable rental shop, and ensure the employees provide you with proper details about the snowmobile’s operation before you get started.
- Keep your phone on and or keep other devices with you for communication.
Things to do after a snowmobile accident
After a snowmobile crash, you are in pain and don’t know how serious you are injured. Therefore, it’s important to look after your health and other injured people. Here are the most crucial things you should do.
1. Seek medical assistance:
Call 911 and ask for an ambulance and turn on the geolocation services on your cell phone to help the responders locate you quickly. Ask for the medical report for your snowmobile injuries. It will work as proof that you were injured in the snowmobile crash.
2. Send a notice of accident:
You need to notify one of the following law enforcement authorities:
- The officer of the Colorado State Patrol.
- The police department of the municipality where the accident occurred.
- The sheriff’s office of the county where the accident occurred.
3. Collect evidence at the accident scene:
Although the authorities may send a team to investigate your accident, it’s better to collect your own evidence. The snowmobile accident attorney relies a lot on pictures, videos, and other notes taken by their client at the snowmobile accident, while their memory is still fresh.
4. Find out if the other party has insurance:
Unfortunately, no insurance company includes snowmobiles in driver’s liability insurance or homeowners’ insurance. The snowmobile owner should buy separate insurance coverage.
If the cause of the accident is a malfunctioning snowmobile, you will get two possibilities. It includes:
- You can recover all your damages of snowmobile accident injury and other things from the company that leased a poorly maintained vehicle (if the snowmobile is rented).
- Under product liability law, you can also get financial compensation from the manufacturer or dealer of the snowmobile, under product liability law.
5. Hire a personal injury attorney:
Depending on the cause of your accident, the experienced snowmobile accident lawyer will identify the correct parties against whom you may file a personal injury lawsuit.
Ethen Ostroff and his connections will provide you with the best references that can help you win your snowmobile accident claims with a hassle-free procedure so that you can take care of other things.
