What Are the Main Causes of a Snowmobile Accident Injury in Illinois?

 Posted on December 16, 2020 in Personal Injury

Winter is a time for snow sports, including skiing, sledding, ice skating, and snowmobiling. The snowmobile was originally manufactured as a means of transportation for people and supplies in regions where heavy and deep snow prevented conventional vehicle use. Today, snowmobiling has become a popular winter sport enjoyed by more than 2 million people of all ages. Snowmobiling allows cold-weather fans to get outside and enjoy the winter landscape. However, the modern snowmobile can weigh more than 600 pounds and travel at speeds of 90 miles per hour or greater. Snowmobile accidents cause approximately 200 deaths and 14,000 injuries every year. There are several factors that can increase the likelihood of a crash, and in some cases, it may be caused by negligent parties. Through education and legislation, injury and death rates can be significantly reduced.  

Dangerous Driving Behaviors

Regardless if a snowmobile is designed for one rider or two, the sheer size and weight of the vehicle can pose a risk. If a driver loses control and collides with a tree or another object, the snowmobile could land on top of the operator, crushing him or her underneath. 

Given the nature of the outdoor elements during the winter, a snowstorm can bring on blizzard-like conditions that may reduce visibility and make it difficult for riders to see far ahead. That is why it is critical to make sure the snowmobile is in good working order before venturing out. This includes checking headlights and brake lights, as well as the tread mechanism. Extreme caution must be exercised with the vehicle at all times to prevent distracted driving and potentially serious injuries.

Multiple risk factors exist for snowmobile injuries and death in the event of an accident, including:

• Speed

• Intoxication

• Driver error

• Weather conditions 

• Improper vehicle maintenance

• Faulty/defective part or equipment

Common Snowmobile Accident Injuries

Although veteran and novice snowmobile riders usually go through safety training on how to operate this type of recreational vehicle, accidents can and do occur. Anyone riding one should also wear a helmet and proper protective gear, such as goggles, gloves, and a heavy-duty jacket and snow pants. Since the snowmobile itself offers little protection compared to an automobile, users do not have anything between them and their surroundings, such as ice, snow, or trees in the event of a crash. In addition, colliding with another rider can result in one or both riders becoming trapped underneath or pinned in between the vehicles, or even an explosion and subsequent fire. 

Here are a few typical injuries that can be suffered in a snowmobile collision: 

• Lacerations

• Broken or fractured bones

• Severed limbs

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

• Spinal cord damage

• Internal bleeding

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Contact a Will County Personal Injury Lawyer

As with any sport, snowmobiling can be exhilarating but it can also be dangerous. Injuries sustained in a snowmobile accident can be severe, and they may be caused by various factors. Personal injury law can be complex, often encompassing extremely technical aspects of a certain industry and type of injury in order to prove negligence by another party. The renowned legal team at McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC is committed to securing the compensation you need and deserve after any type of injury. Our experienced Joliet personal injury attorneys have obtained millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. To schedule your free consultation, call us today at 815-727-0100. 

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12671482/#:~:text=Each%20year%20snowmobile%20accidents%20produce,the%20leading%20causes%20of%20accidents.&text=Reduction%20in%20injury%20and%20death,accomplished%20through%20education%20and%20legislation.