Can I Receive Compensation for Snowmobile Accident Injuries?

 Posted on February 03, 2021 in Personal Injury

While snowmobiling is a fun winter activity that is enjoyed by many people in central Illinois, it can also be dangerous. Collisions between two snowmobiles or between snowmobiles and people, obstacles, or other vehicles can result in serious injuries, including broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, severe lacerations leading to amputations, and damage to internal organs. If a snowmobile accident occurs in a remote area, a person could be left alone in harsh weather until help arrives, which can lead to hypothermia or other life-threatening medical conditions. Those who have suffered injuries in snowmobile accidents will want to determine who was responsible for a collision, and by working with a personal injury attorney, they can take steps to receive financial compensation for their injuries.

Liability for Snowmobile Accidents

When a collision occurs because of the negligence of a snowmobile operator, that person may be liable for injuries suffered by other people who were involved, such as passengers, pedestrians, or people in motor vehicles. Negligence can take a variety of forms, including operating a snowmobile while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Operators may also be liable if they acted recklessly, such as by traveling at unsafe speeds, attempting to jump over obstacles or failing to watch out for other vehicles or people on foot. Snowmobile users may also pursue compensation from drivers of motor vehicles who did not take precautions to notice snowmobiles that were crossing the road and avoid a collision.

Victims may also be able to pursue compensation for injuries that occurred because a snowmobile was unsafe to use. A product liability claim may be brought against the manufacturer of defective snowmobile parts. The owner of a snowmobile may be liable for injuries that occurred because he or she did not perform proper repairs, or a business that rented snowmobiles to consumers may be held responsible if their failure to keep vehicles maintained led to an accident that caused injuries.

Finally, victims may be able to bring a premises liability lawsuit against the owner of the property where a snowmobile accident took place. Owners of private property should ensure that all trails and areas where visitors use snowmobiles are properly maintained, and they should address hazards such as fallen trees or branches or rocks that may block the path of a snowmobile. Victims may also be able to hold a government agency liable for snowmobile accidents that took place on public lands, such as a national or state park.

Contact Our Springfield Recreational Vehicle Accident Lawyers

If you have been injured while riding a snowmobile or in a collision involving a recreational vehicle, the lawyers of Kanoski Bresney can help you determine your legal options. We will work with you to gather evidence to show who was responsible for your injury, and we will fight to make sure you are fully compensated for your damages. Contact our knowledgeable Champaign snowmobile accident attorneys today at 888-826-8682 to arrange a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/safety/Pages/IncidentReportSummaries.aspx

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12671482/