Snowmobile Accidents Lead to Injury, Death, Lawsuits
Maybe it’s because snowmobiles are also known as recreational vehicles. Whatever the reason, lots of snowmobile operators do not take their responsibilities seriously after they mount their sleds to go for a ride, leading very often 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 on the state’s 13,000 miles of signed trails and highway crashes involving automobiles, trucks, motorcycles and various other vehicles.
Perhaps the most common factors with all motor vehicle accident lawsuits is a driver’s unreasonable rate of speed. Just as with some motorcyclists, many Maine snowmobile drivers feel they have to feed their “need for speed” See : accident lawyer – the experience of the wind whipping over their bodies. Nonetheless, the circumstances of riding a snowmobile – speeding along a slippery surface of snow or ice with limited braking ability – make it necessary to use extreme care. The failure to use common sense and exercise defensive driving skills can change 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 wreckless behavior is the cause of life-changing injuries or fatalities. The blood-alcohol limit of a snowmobile driver, like other motorists, is .08. Within the carefree arena of snowmobiling, numerous people are members of clubs that organize group trips with rest stops at local bars. A drink or two at each stop impairs judgment and slows the reaction time of even experienced snowmobile operators. Operating in a group with riders who drink also poses dangers, including increasing the probability of crashing with another impaired driver and raising the chances of injuries as a result of being caught up in mimicking their high-speed, careless behavior.
One more danger cited by Maine accident lawyers is that consuming alcohol accelerates a lowering of body temperature. In addition to the frigid outdoor environment, the operator runs the possible 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 ignore the hazards of traveling across ice. The thickness and strength of ice may range widely on rivers, streams, lakes and ponds. Snow often creates a blanket that prevents the formation of thick, strong ice. Even a well-worn trail across water can give the false impression of safety if previous travelers have weakened the ice.
A Maine snowmobile accident lawyer knows that responsible operators can have the ability to protect themselves, their passengers and innocent bystanders by adhering to a few simple rules. Safety equipment, including a helmet with a visor or a set of protective goggles, as well as layers of water-repellent clothing, is necessary. So is carrying a first-aid kid which includes a flashlight, knife, compass, map and waterproof matches.
And never, Maine attorneys say, travel alone. Absolutely nothing is more dangerous to the life and safety of a snowmobiler than being injured without fellow riders available to provide or seek medical assistance.
When someone has been injured or lost somebody because of a snowmobile driver who ignores practical sense when operating a 500-pound machine, they ought to contact a Maine snowmobile accident lawyer who possesses expertise in protecting their legal rights and pursuing fair financial compensation.
