A Deadly Start to the Year for Snowmobilers

Snowmobiling in Salt Lake City and other areas of Utah is a popular activity for residents and visitors and Utah accommodates them by maintaining hundreds of miles of trails and other public areas designated for snowmobiling. While many enjoy snowmobiling, it is a dangerous activity and many people suffer injuries and sometimes death each year. Unfortunately, we have recently been reminded of such dangers as we are only into the second month of 2019 and already we have seen a deadly year for snowmobilers in Utah. See below for details of the accident circumstances for the three snowmobilers that have been killed this year:

• January 25, 2019 East Face Laurel Peak – A party of six snowmobilers and two snowbikers were riding in the La Sal Mountains of southeast Utah. A snowmobiler was killed in an avalanche that was unintentionally triggered by a snowmobiler in the party.
• February 7, 2019 Circleville Mountain – A party of three snowmobilers were riding near Circleville Mountain. One rider was killed in an avalanche remotely triggered by the snowmobilers.
• February 9, 2019 Chalk Creek – Three snowmobilers were riding in the Chalk Creek Drainage. One rider was killed in an avalanche unintentionally triggered by a snowmobiler.

These accidents are tragic reminders of the dangers that snowmobilers face when they take their sleds out for a ride, but Salt Lake City snowmobile accident attorneys know that avalanches are not the only danger that snowmobilers face. The number of injuries sustained in Utah snowmobile accidents greatly outnumber snowmobile fatalities each year.

Causes of snowmobile accidents

Snowmobile accidents happen for many different reasons. According to snowmobile accident experts at Jardine Law Offices, P.C. the following are some of the most common causes and factors in snowmobile accidents:

• Alcohol – In Utah it is illegal to operate a snowmobile while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but it still happens and accidents and injuries occur as a result.
• Dangerous trail conditions – Snowmobiles may be operated on public trails and roads designated for snowmobile use, as well as on private property with permission from the property owner. Dangerous hazards and poor maintenance on the property may cause snowmobile accidents.
• Another snowmobile – Snowmobile collisions occur when a snowmobile operator is exercising negligent conduct such as failing to following trail rules, speeding, and otherwise operating a snowmobile recklessly.
• Poor maintenance – Snowmobiles require continued maintenance in order to function properly and safely and when snowmobiles are poorly maintained, accidents may happen.
• Snowmobile defects – Defective snowmobile parts such as faulty steering mechanisms or design defects such as snowmobiles with an unreasonably high risk of flipping are known to cause accidents and injuries.

If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in a snowmobile accident, contact a Salt Lake City snowmobile accident attorney with the Jardine Law Offices, P.C. to discuss your injuries and claim. Whether a negligent snowmobile rider, property owner, government entity, snowmobile manufacturer/seller, or other party is responsible for your injuries, our knowledgeable and experienced attorneys are ready to help. We protect the rights of snowmobile accident victims and we fight to see that they recover for their injuries and damages including medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.