Riding a snowmobile is a fun way to survive Vermont’s winters. The state has many trails and frozen lakes, and people come from other states to ride on the weekend. Unfortunately, accidents are very common, and snowmobiles offer little protection to riders. Many crash victims will suffer serious injuries, including head and neck injuries. Even worse, they might end up lying in the woods or on a pond for hours before someone else comes by to help them.
Call Larson & Gallivan Law if you were hurt in a snowmobile accident. In some circumstances, a person might have a legal right to compensation if the accident is the fault of the snowmobile manufacturer, a rider, or the property owner where the crash occurred. AVermont personal injury lawyer with our firm provides an overview of these cases and encourages you to call our office.
Injuries from Snowmobile Accidents
These crashes cause many of the same injuries as other motor vehicle wrecks. A snowmobile rider can suffer:
- Fractures
- Whiplash
- Concussions
- Chest injuries
- Collapsed lung, heart contusion, and other organ damage
- Sprains and strains
- Spinal column injuries
Snowmobilers can also suffer some rather unique injuries:
- Crush injuries. A snowmobile can weigh up to 600 pounds, and it might flip and land on the rider. Crush injuries often lead to amputation and life-threatening conditions.
- Burns. A snowmobile exhaust pipe can burn a rider who falls off and makes contact with it. These burns can lead to skin grafts and infection.
- Hypothermia. A rider could fall through the ice and nearly drown, leading to hypothermia. This condition is fatal if a person does not get to a warm location quickly.
Assigning Fault for a Snowmobile Accident
Were you injured in an accident? Call us. We want to understand more about the surrounding facts of the accident. Your right to receive compensation depends on determining who is to blame. If you are 51% or more at fault, then you won’t receive anything—so your own actions matter a great deal.
Most accidents are caused by:
- Negligent riders. Someone could operate a snowmobile negligently. They might ride too fast, go the wrong way on a trail, or follow too closely. If a rider is negligent, they are probably to blame for the crash.
- Impaired riders. A rider might have drunk alcohol or done drugs (like marijuana) before hopping on the motorcycle. They can easily take some dangerous act or even fall asleep on the snowmobile and crash into someone.
- Other motorists. A person driving a car might crash into you for a variety of reasons, such as distraction or impairment. They are liable for an accident in these cases.
- Defective snowmobiles. Sometimes a defect on the snowmobile contributes to an accident. Problems with a snowmobile include fuel system defects, suspension problems, and faulty steering systems. Fault for the accident might lie with the manufacturer or designer.
- Defective equipment. Sometimes defective helmets or goggles contribute to an accident or make injuries worse. For example, you might fall off a snowmobile at low speeds, but because your helmet is defectively designed, you suffer a major head injury.
- Hazardous terrain. The trail could be dangerous and cause a person to flip their snowmobile. Some hazards include obstructions or debris on the trail. A trail might also have inaccurate signage which leads a person in the wrong direction and into the way of danger.
We want as much information and details about the accident as possible. Reach out to our office right away. We probably want to inspect the snowmobile, so don’t get it fixed. Share the names of any witnesses who saw the accident, as their testimony is critical.
Snowmobile Accident Statistics
Snowmobile accidents are common around the country. According to theVermont Department of Health:
- Snowmobile accidents cause around 200 deaths and 14,000 injuries each year in the United States.
- Snowmobiles accounted for around 12% of injuries in accidents involving recreational vehicles. By contrast, ATVs accounted for about 79%.
- Men are three times more likely to suffer an injury while riding a recreational vehicle than women.
- Orange and Grand Isle counties had the highest rate of injuries in Vermont.
Snowmobiles weigh over 600 pounds and can travel 90 miles per hour. We are not surprised that many riders end up injured. Head to the hospital after any accident and then contact an experienced lawyer to review the facts.
Why these Are Challenging Cases
Obtaining compensation is sometimes difficult. When a person is liable for the accident, they should pay compensation for your injuries, including medical bills, snowmobile repairs, pain and suffering, and lost wages. However, some factors can impede a victim’s ability to get fair compensation:
- Comparative fault. You might have contributed to an accident by riding dangerously. If so, you bear some blame, which can reduce the compensation you receive if your fault is 50% or less. If you are mostly to blame, then our state’s lawwill prohibit you from receiving anything.
- Legal immunity. Property owners who open their land for public use might haveimmunity from lawsuit in certain situations when the terrain causes an accident. The state grants them liability to encourage all property owners to make their lands publicly available. Let us investigate.
- Lack of evidence. Some solitary riders will be injured without any witnesses. Physical evidence can also get lost in the snow. It’s harder to reconstruct what happened.
- No insurance. The person at fault might not have any insurance to pay a settlement or court award.
Most accidents related to snowmobiles must be filed within three years. Should you go past this deadline, a defendant can ask a judge to dismiss the case.
Speak with a Vermont Personal Injury Lawyer in a Free Consultation
Larson & Gallivan Law has won millions for injured victims in Vermont. We have deep experience with all types of motor vehicle collisions and can help with common snowmobile accidents. Ready to find out more about whether we can help bring a case? Call us today to schedule a no-cost appointment with a member of our firm.
