Snowmobile Accident Lawyers

Snowmobiling is an extremely popular wintertime activity in New Hampshire, and both residents of New Hampshire and travelers to the state enjoy snowmobiling on the trails. While snowmobiling can be an enjoyable way to spend time outdoors in cold weather, it can also be extremely dangerous. According to the New Hampshire Snowmobile Association (NHSA), an average of nearly 100 snowmobiling accidents occur every year in the state, and snowmobilers suffer serious injuries. If you or a loved one got hurt in a snowmobiling accident, you should get in touch with an experienced  New Hampshire snowmobile injury attorney who can help you with your case.

Common Causes of Serious and Fatal Snowmobile Accidents in New Hampshire

Snowmobile accidents in New Hampshire can have many different causes. According to the NHSA, the most common factors that contribute to snowmobile accidents and deaths in the state include inexperience, unsafe speed, and inattention. More broadly, New Hampshire Fish and Game identifies 17 different factors that may contribute to or cause a snowmobile accident and injuries in the state. Those factors include the following:

  • Unsafe speed;
  • Alcohol or drug involvement;
  • Inattention;
  • Inexperience;
  • Recklessness or carelessness;
  • Following too closely;
  • Failure to yield or stop;
  • Improper turn;
  • Operating on a road (i.e., a paved or public road);
  • Hit by a motor vehicle;
  • Stuck throttle;
  • Defective brakes;
  • Vehicular defect other than brakes;
  • Animal action (such as deer running in front of a snowmobile);
  • Thin ice;
  • Obstructions or debris in the path;
  • Obstructed view;
  • Icy trail; and/or
  • Failure to keep right.

In many cases, more than one factor can play a role in causing a snowmobile accident in New Hampshire. You should work with a snowmobile accident lawyer in New Hampshire to determine causation and liability. An attorney at our firm can assess your case today to determine whether one or more parties may be liable for your snowmobile accident injuries.

Timeline for a New Hampshire Snowmobile Injury Claim

If you want to be eligible to obtain compensation by filing a snowmobile accident lawsuit, you will need to file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations runs out. What is the statute of limitations in a New Hampshire snowmobile accident case? Most personal injury lawsuits in New Hampshire have a three-year statute of limitations, including snowmobile accident cases. Accordingly, it is critical to make sure to file a lawsuit within three years from the date of your snowmobiling accident. 

In the meantime, you should not delay discussing your case with an attorney. While you may have three years to file a lawsuit, valuable evidence can be lost if you wait too long to begin working on your claim. 

Comparative Fault and New Hampshire Snowmobile Injury Claims

Many people who are injured in snowmobile accidents in New Hampshire delay filing a lawsuit against an at-fault party because they are concerned that their own negligence played a role in causing the snowmobile accident. For example, a snowmobile rider might have been going too fast for the conditions, or might not have been wearing appropriate protective gear, when an intoxicated snowmobile rider caused a serious collision. It is critical for you to know that you may still be able to obtain compensation from the at-fault motorist.

New Hampshire uses what is known as a modified comparative fault rule. What this means is that, according to New Hampshire comparative fault law, a snowmobile accident plaintiff is still permitted to recover damages as long as the plaintiff is not more at fault than the defendant (or defendants). In practical terms, this means the plaintiff must be 50 percent at fault or less in order to recover damages. When a plaintiff is 50 percent or less at fault, they should anticipate that their compensation award will be diminished by their portion of fault. A snowmobile plaintiff will only be barred from recovery if they are determined to be more than 50 percent at fault for the snowmobile accident.

Contact a Snowmobile Accident Attorney in New Hampshire

Snowmobile accidents in New Hampshire can be devastating, resulting in debilitating and fatal injuries. Whether you were seriously injured in a snowmobile accident yourself or you lost a loved one in a snowmobile crash, it is important to seek advice from a lawyer who can help. One of the experienced New Hampshire snowmobile accident lawyers at Sabbeth Law can evaluate your case for you today and can help you to determine whether you are eligible to file a lawsuit. Do not hesitate to get in touch with our firm to get started on your case. Contact Sabbeth Law for more information.