Snowmobile Accidents And Personal Injury Claims In Illinois

For many Illinois residents, the winter season is an opportunity for skiing, sledding, riding a snowmobile, and other activities in the snow. However, many of these activities have a significant risk of injury or death. Snowmobile accidents kill an estimated 200 people every year and approximately 14,000 people are injured in snowmobile accidents annually. If you or a loved one were hurt in a snowmobile accident, you may be able to bring a personal injury claim for damages. You may be eligible for financial compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and more.

Inexperience and Unsafe Driving Top Causes of Snowmobile Wrecks

Snowmobiles are great for traveling in the snow or simply enjoying the Illinois countryside. However, these machines are also capable of reaching speeds of over 80 miles per hour. Snowmobile wrecks often lead to severe, life-changing injuries including paralysis.

Studies show that one of the top causes of snowmobile injuries and deaths is inexperience. Operating a snowmobile is not the same as driving a car, and some riders grossly overestimate their ability to safely operate a snowmobile. Excessive speed is another top contributor to snowmobile accidents. Riders who are racing each other or joyriding can lose control of the vehicle in a split second. Drug and alcohol use also contributes to many fatal and injurious snowmobile accidents.

Seeking Compensation for Damages After a Snowmobile Crash

If you were injured or a loved one was killed on a snowmobile, you have legal options. If the crash was caused by another party’s negligence or unlawful actions, you may be able to bring an injury claim against that party. Determining liability in a snowmobile crash is often challenging. Many different factors may have contributed to the accident, including:

• Snowmobile defects
• Intoxicated driving
• Driving at excessive speeds
• Operating the snowmobile recklessly
• Unsafe snowmobile trails
• Collisions between snowmobiles and cars

The party who is liable for a snowmobile crash may be the driver of the snowmobile, the driver of another vehicle, the company that designed or manufactured a defective snowmobile, a property owner, or another party. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you determine who is legally responsible for your damages.

You may be entitled to reimbursement for medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, lost wages, lost financial support, and non-economic losses like the loss of a deceased loved one’s companionship.

Contact a Waukegan Snowmobile Accident Lawyer

Snowmobile accident victims and their families may be able to take legal action against the at-fault party through a personal injury claim. They may be entitled to financial compensation for lost income, pain and suffering, medical bills, and more. To learn more, contact a Lake County personal injury attorney at Salvi & Maher, LLP. Call 847-662-3303 for a free consultation.

Source:

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