Snowmobile Accidents End in Injury, Death, Lawsuits

Maybe it’s because snowmobiles are called recreational vehicles. Regardless of the reason, a large number of snowmobile operators don’t take their responsibilities seriously when they mount their sleds to take a ride, leading too frequently to serious injuries, fatalities and accident lawsuits in Maine courts over their reckless behavior.

Experienced accident lawyers say they see many parallels between snowmobile accidents around the state’s 13,000 miles of signed trails and highway crashes involving automobiles, trucks, motorcycles along with other vehicles.

Probably the most common factors in all motor vehicle accident lawsuits is a driver’s unreasonable rate of speed. Much like a lot of motorcyclists, many Maine snowmobile drivers feel they need to feed their “need for speed” See : accident lawyers – the feeling of that wind whipping over them. However, the circumstances of riding a snowmobile – speeding along a slippery surface of snow or ice with limited braking ability – call for extreme caution. The failure to use common sense and exercise defensive driving skills can turn even a routine ride on the trails into a high-speed trip to a court date with a Maine snowmobile accident attorney.

Similarly, Maine snowmobile accident lawsuits often follow crashes involving a drunk driver whose careless behavior is responsible for life-changing injuries or fatalities. The blood-alcohol limit for a snowmobile driver, like other motorists, is .08. In the carefree world of snowmobiling, many people belong to clubs that organize group trips with rest stops at local bars. A cocktail or two at every stop impairs judgment and slows the response time of even experienced snowmobile operators. Riding in a set with riders who drink also poses dangers, including boosting the odds of colliding with an impaired driver and raising the possibility of injuries whilst getting caught up in mimicking their high-speed, careless behavior.

Yet an additional danger cited by Maine accident lawyers would be that consuming alcohol accelerates a drop in the body’s temperature. Alongside the frigid outdoor environment, the operator runs the potential risk of hypothermia, which also impairs a driver’s judgment.

Poor judgment extends beyond driving behavior, Maine snowmobile accident attorneys note. Every winter, lives are lost and snowmobile accident lawsuits are filed when operators foolishly disregard the dangers of traveling across ice. The thickness and strength of ice may differ widely on rivers, streams, lakes and ponds. Snow often serves as a blanket that hinders the formation of thick, strong ice. Even a well-worn trail across water can create the misguided impression of safety if previous travelers have weakened the ice.

A Maine snowmobile accident lawyer is aware that responsible operators can protect themselves, their passengers and innocent bystanders by following a few simple rules. Safety equipment, including a helmet with a visor or a set of protective goggles, along with layers of water-repellent clothing, is essential. Carry a first-aid kid that includes a flashlight, knife, compass, map and waterproof matches.

And do not, Maine attorneys say, travel alone. You’ll find nothing more dangerous to the life and health of a snowmobiler than being injured without fellow riders around to provide or seek medical attention.

When someone injured or lost a loved one due to a snowmobile driver who ignores sound judgment when operating a 500-pound machine, they need to search for a Maine snowmobile accident lawyer that has experience with protecting their rights and pursuing fair financial compensation.

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