Snowmobile Accident Lawyer

With over 2 million snowmobile riders in the United States, it’s no surprise there are over 14,000 snowmobile injuries annually [1]. Snowmobile accident victims deserve justice, and our personal injury attorneys are here to help. 

If you’ve been harmed by the negligence of a snowmobile operator, rental company, or manufacturer, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you defend your legal rights. 

Types of Injuries in Snowmobile Accidents

Common snowmobile crash injuries include:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Orthopedic injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Head injuries
• Facial injuries
• Broken bones
• Eye injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Paralysis
• Death

Liability for Snowmobile Accidents

A party can be held liable in a snowmobile accident if they act irresponsibly, which makes them the primary cause of the crash.  While your snowmobile accident lawyer will seek compensation from anyone who may have contributed to this tragic event, the following are the most common defendants. 

Product Manufacturer

In some cases, the manufacturer failed to conduct proper quality assurance to protect consumers. This could be faulty brakes, leaking gas tanks, or steering systems that fail in certain circumstances.

Property Owner

Many snowmobile accidents occur due to collisions with obstacles, such as branches, tree trunks, poles, or buildings. A property owner is responsible for clearly establishing paths and ensuring they are free of any objects that may cause severe injury. If they fail to maintain trails properly, they can be considered an at-fault party. 

Rental Company

Companies that rent motor vehicles are responsible for ensuring drivers wear proper safety gear, understand the risks inherent with the product, and are qualified to operate the vehicle. They must also maintain their equipment to ensure it does not malfunction.

If they fail to uphold these standards, they can be accountable when a person is injured.

Other Vehicle Drivers

If the person injured was hit by another snowmobile driver, that driver may be responsible for failing to maintain a proper following distance and to prevent harm to other drivers. 

Our snowmobile accident lawyers will seek to identify the liable party by showing the following factors of personal injury law:  

• Duty of care – The responsible party owed it to the injured person to act with good judgment.
• Breach of care – The liable party failed to uphold their duty of care, whether by operating a snowmobile while intoxicated or ignoring trail signs.
• Causation – This breach of care was the primary contributor to the accident and, thus, the person’s injuries.
• Damages – You suffered financial or emotional losses as a result of the snowmobile accident. 

Causes of Snowmobile Accidents

Snowmobiling accidents can result from a variety of circumstances, including the following. 

• Collisions with fixed objects – A survey by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources found most fatal snowmobile accidents occur when a snowmobile collides with a fixed object [2]. 
• Avalanches – 32% of all avalanche deaths in 2018-2019 were snowmobilers [3]. 
• High speeds – Most snowmobiles have a top speed between 95 mph and 120 mph [4]. This excessive speed leaves little time to react to obstacles.
• Poor Visibility – Crashes are most likely to occur at night because of low visibility [5]. 
• Rough terrain – In Minnesota, 43.8% of ice-related deaths involved a snowmobile or ATV [6]. 
• Drunk driving – In Wisconsin, alcohol was a factor in 70% of fatal snowmobile crashes [7].
• Deviating from marked trails – It’s crucial to stay on the trails designated as safe for snowmobiles; numerous deaths occur from going off-trail.
• Inexperienced snowmobile operators – Of the 11 snowmobile deaths in Minnesota from 2019 to 2020, only one person had a snowmobile certificate [8].

Why You Need a Snowmobile Injury Lawyer

A snowmobile accident attorney from our law firm can assist you with the personal injury claims process, starting with your initial consultation. This includes the following. 

• Investigation – We will thoroughly examine all elements of the crash, including medical records, incident reports, repair records, and any available footage.
• Calculating Damages – With over thirty years of experience, we can accurately assess the value of your personal injury claim and advocate for the maximum compensation.
• Negotiations – The insurance company does not wish to pay you, even for serious injuries. We will use our extensive knowledge of how these companies assess claims to demand they pay their fair share.
• Court Representation – If negotiations with the insurance company fail, we will file a lawsuit and represent your interests in a court of law, always ensuring your rights are protected. 

How to Protect Your Rights After a Snowmobile Crash

In all personal injury cases, it is crucial to act fast to protect yourself and ensure you have a strong case. Follow these steps as soon as possible.

• Stay at the Accident Scene – Stay still until help arrives, as this will make it easier to find you if you’re in a remote area. 
• Report Your Injuries – Contact the property owner, whether that’s a local park or a private landowner, to inform them you’ve been hurt. If you’re in a remote area and don’t have a satellite phone, stay put and ask a companion to get help.
• Document the Scene– If possible, get photos of the snowmobile, the surrounding area, and your injuries. 
• Get Medical Treatment – Seeking medical attention as soon as possible is key. Common injuries in a snowmobile accident case include spinal cord injury and head injury, which may not always be immediately evident.
• Collect Evidence – If the snowmobile was rented, get a copy of your receipt and waiver. Take photos of your recovery process and gather medical records. Get the contact details of anyone present or involved.
• File an Insurance Claim – Contact your own insurance and that of the other party. The person with whom you file a claim will vary depending on your jurisdiction.
• Call a Lawyer – The experienced team at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers will help guide you through the steps needed to recover compensation for your injuries.

Damages You Can Recover in Snowmobile Accident Claims

We can assist you in getting compensation for severe injuries such as paralysis, head trauma, spinal cord damage, and disfiguration. Damages are separated into three categories: economic, non-economic, and punitive.

Economic damages compensate you for financial losses as a result of accidents, such as:

• Lost income
• Medical bills
• Out-of-pocket medical expenses
• Future lost wages
• Property damage
• Funeral expenses in the case of wrongful death

Non-economic damages consider how this accident has impacted your life, such as:

• Physical pain
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Grief

Punitive damages are awarded through court systems if the defendant’s actions go beyond gross negligence, such as maliciously hitting another snowmobiler or tampering with equipment. 

Not every jurisdiction will award these. Our attorneys will advise you on whether it’s possible to recover these damages if the case goes to court. 

Statute of Limitations for Snowmobile Crashes

The statutes of limitation for snowmobile crashes differ by state and range from 1 year to 5 years. During your initial consultation, our team will tell you the specific statute for your area so that we can prepare a plan for how to proceed. 

Contact Our Your Snowmobile Accident Lawyers Today!

Contact us at (888) 424-5757 or use our online form. 

Resources: [1] National Library of Medicine, [2] Minnesota Reformer, [3] Backcountry Access, [4] J.D. Power, [5] EMS-1, [6] Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, [7] Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, [8] Minnesota Department of Natural Resources