Important Information About Personal Injury Claims Involving Snowmobiles

Illinois offers a great number of outdoor recreation opportunities. During the winter months, many outdoor enthusiasts enjoy climbing aboard a snowmobile and cruising off into the wintery landscape. Unfortunately, as enjoyable as snowmobiling is, it can often be equally as dangerous. Snowmobile accidents are relatively common, and many of these accidents result in severe injuries or even death. If you or a loved one have been injured in a snowmobile accident, you may have incurred significant medical bills, lost income, and other expenses. If the injury was caused by another party’s negligence, you may be able to receive compensation for these and other expenses related to the accident.   

Top Causes of Snowmobile Accidents

It is estimated that about 2 million people ride snowmobiles each year in the United States. Of these snowmobile drivers, about 14,000 will suffer an injury in a snowmobile crash. Snowmobile accidents often result in broken bones, back injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. Sadly, it is estimated that about 200 people die in snowmobile accidents every year. Some of these accidents are caused by a snowmobile driver who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, not skilled enough to safely maneuver the vehicle, or traveling at unsafe speeds for the terrain conditions. However, many snowmobile injuries are not the fault of the driver. In some cases, another party’s negligent actions or inaction are to blame for the driver’s injuries.

Determining Fault in a Snowmobile Crash

When another party’s negligence causes someone to be significantly injured, the responsible party may be held liable for the economic and noneconomic damages that result from the injury. Negligence occurs when a party’s recklessness, carelessness, or other wrongdoing causes another party harm. If your loved one was injured in a snowmobile collision and the other driver was operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the other driver may be legally responsible for the damages caused. If a malfunctioning snowmobile or snowmobile part caused the accident, the manufacturer of the snowmobile or defective part may be to blame. Determining fault in a personal injury case can be challenging, so it is essential that you hire an experienced personal injury lawyer if you think your accident could have been caused by another party’s negligence.

Contact a Waukegan Snowmobile Accident Lawyer

Snowmobile accidents can result in catastrophic injuries that leave a person burdened by hospital bills and other expenses. For help pursuing compensation after a snowmobile crash, contact Salvi and Maher, L.L.C. Call our office at 847-662-3303 today and schedule a free consultation with a highly accomplished Lake County personal injury attorney.

Sources:

https://courts.illinois.gov/CircuitCourt/CivilJuryInstructions/IL_IPI_Civil.pdf

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