Snowmobile Accidents

In General

Snowmobile cases can be difficult, and require extensive investigation to identify eyewitnesses and the evaluation of physical evidence, such as damage to sleds, and tracks left at the scene. The injuries are often severe. There are also legal issues such as who has the right of way. Under Michigan law the owner of a snowmobile can be liable even if they were not driving it at the time of the accident. Furthermore, you often need special insurance to cover snowmobile accidents, as they are often excluded under home or auto insurance policies. Generally, there is a 3 year statute of limitations for these cases, although there are exceptions.

Snowmobile passenger suffers foot and ankle injuries: $200,000 settlement

A speeding snowmobile slid around a corner and hit our client’s sled.  Client’s foot and ankle were badly broken.  The insurance company tried to deny insurance coverage, but was forced to cover the damages.

Snowmobiler strikes parked vehicle at night: $86,000 settlement

The key to this case was our expert analysis of the snowmobile headlight.   We proved scientifically that the headlight had been “on” at the time of impact, proving that the snowmobiler was obeying the law but the truck was concealed by snowbanks.

* These cases are chosen from many more, to illustrate some of the variety of the issues we have dealt with.