Request a Free Consultation with Our Snowmobile Accident Lawyers in Maine

If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a snowmobile accident, it’s crucial that you get in touch with a qualified recreational vehicle attorney. To request a free case review with the experienced accident lawyers at Berman & Simmons, contact our law offices in Maine.

Snowmobile Accidents Due to Underage Drivers

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) has laws and regulations about the minimum age of snowmobile operators. The MDIFW snowmobile age requirements are as follows:

• No one under 10 years old can operate a snowmobile unless they are accompanied by an adult. However, this rule does not apply if the child operates the snowmobile on land owned by their parent or guardian or if the parent or guardian has been granted permission by the land owner for their child under 10 to operate a snowmobile on said land.
• Minors under 14 years old cannot operate a snowmobile on public ways that are maintained for travel.

Underage minors operating a snowmobile could cause serious injuries to themselves and others without proper supervision and guidance.

Who Is Liable for an Underage Driver on a Snowmobile?

If an underage person on a snowmobile caused a crash, their parent/guardian or the landowner is generally liable for the accident. Our snow scooter collision attorneys can investigate the snowmobile crash and ensure the right party is held liable.

Snowmobile Accidents Due to Negligent Operation

While driving a snowmobile, you are rarely if ever going to see posted speed limits or signs to stop and yield. It’s up to the snowmobile operator to exercise their best judgment at all times while they are on the vehicle. Excessive speed, failing to use hand signals, cutting people off, or making sharp turns on a snowmobile could result in a catastrophic or even fatal injury.

Inexperience and Snowmobile Accidents

Teenagers and adults may be legally old enough to operate a snow scooter without supervision, but that doesn’t mean they are ready to do so. People who are inexperienced at operating a snowmobile must exercise additional caution as they learn how to drive.

If an inexperienced person on a snowmobile causes an accident, they could be liable for the collision. The people the new driver was with could also share some of the blame depending on the circumstances of the accident.

Snowmobile Accidents Due to Drunk Driving

Using drugs or alcohol before or during operation of a snowmobile can lead to serious and even fatal accidents. It’s important that you exercise common sense and avoid the use of any controlled substances when driving a motor sled or snow scooter.

If you got into a crash caused by an intoxicated person on a snowmobile, our lawyers can help you hold that person accountable for their negligence and recklessness.

Snowmobile Accidents Caused by Defects and Mechanical Failure

Human error on the snow isn’t the only cause of snowmobile accidents. The manufacturers and designers of snow vehicles could be legally responsible as well. In these situations, the snowmobile companies may have released poorly designed or otherwise dangerous recreational vehicles on the market, putting consumers at risk.

Our lawyers in Maine can hold companies like Ski-Doo, Lynx, Yamaha, Arctic Cat, and Polaris responsible for defective vehicles and mechanical flaws if their negligence caused your snowmobile accident. In addition, our attorneys can also file a defective product lawsuit if the faulty track or other failed components on your snowmobile contributed to the crash.

Accidents Involving Snowmobile Rentals

Plenty of people throughout Maine rent snowmobiles during the winter months to get around in the snow. This is especially true of tourists visiting the Northeast in the winter looking for a unique excursion outdoors. Unfortunately, rental companies may not take the best care of their snowmobiles, which means a potential for serious accidents.

Our attorneys can investigate the service records of a rental company’s snowmobiles following a crash. Lack of repairs or regular maintenance means that the company could be held liable for endangering customers and causing an accident.

Snowmobile Accidents Caused by Skiers, Snowboarders, or Hikers on a Trail

Sometimes an accident with a person on a trail is not the fault of the person on the snowmobile. Skiers, snowshoers, snowboarders, and anyone out in the snow have a responsibility to look out for each other’s well being. If a skier or snowboarder is intoxicated, reckless, or endangering others on a trail, they could be legally liable for causing a snowmobile accident.

Contact Our Maine Snowmobile Accident Attorneys for a Free Case Review

Whatever caused or contributed to your snowmobile collision, the attorneys at Berman & Simmons are here to listen. During a free consultation with our lawyers, we can review what happened and determine if you have a claim that’s worth pursuing. To set up an initial meeting with our snowmobile attorneys, contact our Maine personal injury law firm.

Potential Injuries in a Snowmobile Accident

Some potential injuries that could be sustained in a snowmobile collision include:

• Broken Bones – A snowmobile collision can cause all kinds of bodily injury, including broken limbs, rib and skull fractures, and joint dislocations.
• Burn Injuries – Ruptured fuel lines, post-crash fires, and heated engine parts can cause disfiguring second-degree and third-degree burns injuries.
• Hypothermia/Exposure – After a snowmobile collision, survivors may experience hypothermia if emergency crews do not arrive at the accident scene soon.
• Neck Injuries – Major neck injuries in a snowmobile crash can limit head movement and cause numbness, tingling, or pain in the shoulders and upper arms.
• Spinal Cord Injuries – In addition to back injuries, there’s a risk of a serious accident damaging the spine, causing partial paralysis, paraplegia, or quadriplegia.
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – Even while wearing a helmet, severe head trauma in a crash can lead to concussions, brain hemorrhaging, and other TBIs.

Fatal Snowmobile Crashes

The danger of hypothermia in addition to severe physical trauma means that there is a high risk of fatal injuries from a snowmobile crash. If you lose a loved one in a catastrophic snowmobile accident, our Maine lawyers can discuss filing a fatal collision wrongful death lawsuit.

Collecting Compensation for a Snowmobile Accident

Our accident attorneys will consider all of the expenses and hardships associated with a serious snowmobile crash when negotiating a pre-trial settlement or seeking damages in a civil lawsuit.

Medical Bills and Physical Rehabilitation

Our lawyers will be sure to note the cost of emergency medical care, life-saving surgical procedures, physical rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and reconstructive surgery after a snowmobile crash.

Lost Wages and Potential Future Earnings

Our attorneys can consider any time you took off of work because of serious injuries. If you suffered a debilitating injury that affects your ability to perform your job duties, we can account for lost potential earnings because of a change in your career trajectory.

Damage to the Vehicle and Personal Property

If you own the snowmobile involved in the crash, our lawyers will bring up the cost of repairs or of replacing the recreational vehicle. Our attorneys can also tabulate the cost of any other personal property damaged during the crash.

Losses Associated with the Death of a Loved One

If you lose a loved one in a fatal snowmobile accident, our lawyers can bring up funerary costs, therapy and grief counseling, loss of consortium, and other difficulties related to bereavement.

How to Help Your Snowmobile Crash Case

Following any kind of recreational vehicle accident, our Maine lawyers recommend that you retain the following materials. Our attorneys can this evidence to evaluate your case and determine your best option moving forward:

• Take photos or videos of the snowmobile accident
• If possible, get a police report of the snowmobile crash
• Get witness testimony of the snowmobile collision
• Save any calls or correspondence about the snowmobile accident
• Compile all current medical bills
• Save bills linked to ongoing health expenses
• Save receipts for assistive devices (e.g., crutches, wheelchairs)
• Save any notes or correspondence from doctors
• Save receipts related to damaged or destroyed property
• Note time off from work following the snowmobile crash

Snowmobile Accident FAQs

Do I need a license to drive a snowmobile in Maine?

No. Based on MDIFW snowmobile laws and rules §13102, you do not need an operator’s license to drive a snowmobile. Age requirements still apply. 

How can I stay safe while riding a snowmobile?

There are five key things you can do to keep yourself safe while operating a snowmobile:

• Never Operate Under the Influence (OUI) – Never ride a snowmobile if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Ride at an Appropriate Speed – Ride your snowmobile at a speed you can handle and control, and that provides ample reaction time for sudden hazards.
• Ride to the Right on Trails – When on a trail, always stay to the right of center to allow ample room for oncoming vehicles.
• Use Hand Signals – Here are standard snowmobiler hand signals approved by the American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA).
• Ride Defensively – Always be ready to stop, slow down, or take evasive action to avoid a crash or other dangers while you ride your snowmobile.

If you’d like more insight and tips, we have some additional snowmobile accident safety advice on our blog that we recommend reading.

What if I am hit by another vehicle while trying to cross the road on my snowmobile?

If you are trying to cross a road or highway on your snowmobile and are doing so in a responsible manner, you may be able to hold the negligent driver accountable for the accident and any injuries you sustained. It really depends on the circumstances surrounding the crash.

During a free consultation, our accident lawyers can review what happened in your collision with a tractor-trailer or commuter vehicle. We can then determine if you have grounds to file an auto collision lawsuit.

Should I accept a settlement offer or take my snowmobile case to trial?

The initial settlement offer from the insurance company will typically be the lowest offer. It can be tempting to accept that first offer, especially if you have medical bills and other debts you need to pay. Following a serious snowmobile accident in Maine, it’s worth contacting a lawyer to discuss your crash and the true value of your claim.