Bradshaw & Bryant

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Minnesota Snowmobile Accident Lawyer

Injured in a snowmobile crash in Minnesota? Bradshaw & Bryant fights for victims hurt by negligent riders, trail hazards, and defective sleds.

Minnesota’s snow-covered trails and lakes make the state a popular spot for snowmobiling. Unfortunately, when someone involved is negligent, snowmobiling can become extremely dangerous. Sometimes, the careless person who leads to an accident isn’t the person who was hurt. The fault could lie with another rider, a rental company, the manufacturer of the snowmobile, or someone else. That negligence can leave a victim with life-altering injuries, massive medical bills, the inability to work, and worse. At Bradshaw & Bryant, we help victims of snowmobile accidents caused by negligence get the justice and compensation they need.

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Common causes of snowmobile accidents

Minnesota snowmobile accidents can happen in a variety of ways. Some of the more common types of accidents we’ve seen include:

  • Reckless or impaired riders (speeding, alcohol use)
  • Trail collisions with other snowmobiles
  • Crashes into fixed objects (trees, posts, rocks)
  • Thin ice or open water crossings
  • Hidden trail hazards (branches, debris, exposed rocks)
  • Malfunctioning or poorly maintained snowmobiles
  • Lack of signage or improper trail grooming
  • Failing to handle dangerous weather warnings
  • Accidents involving motor vehicles crossing trails
  • Nighttime accidents

Accidents because riders didn’t have proper training. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 60% of both fatal and nonfatal snowmobile accidents involve alcohol.

Types of snowmobile-related injuries

Snowmobile accidents can cause extremely severe injuries. Some of the common consequences of these crashes include:

In fact, statistics indicate that across North America, as many as 200 people die a year in snowmobile accidents, while another 14,000 suffer injuries. With average high speeds on most models falling between 95 and 120 miles per hour, it’s really no surprise that snowmobile crash injuries can be catastrophic.

Who may be liable for a snowmobile accident?

When someone suffers catastrophic injuries because of another person’s negligence, it’s important to hold those who caused the injuries liable. Some of the possible parties that might be responsible or share liability include:

  • Other snowmobile operators: If they were intoxicated, distracted, or riding unsafely
  • Private landowners: If they invited you to ride but failed to maintain the property safely
  • Public land managers: If trail maintenance, signage, or ice safety was ignored
  • Resorts or rental companies: If they provided defective or improperly maintained equipment
  • Manufacturers: For design flaws or defective snowmobiles and parts

Our personal injury attorneys investigate the accident to determine who might be fully or partially responsible for the injuries. In Minnesota, it’s also possible that you can be partly at fault and still recover damages, as long as you aren’t more at fault than the other party or parties combined. If you are 20% at fault, you can recover compensation, but the court will reduce your damages by 20%. In a $100,000 award, you would, therefore, recover $80,000.

What to do after a snowmobile accident

If you are injured in a snowmobile or skiing accident, you should take steps to protect yourself, your health, and your ability to file a claim. Here are some of the actions to take following a snowmobile crash:

Get medical attention immediately

Seeking medical care after an accident is necessary to identify the severity of your injuries. However, it’s important for your claim as well. For instance, if you wait to see a doctor, that decision could open the door for claims that you weren’t seriously injured, or that your injuries were from something else.

Report the accident

You want to report the incident to law enforcement and the Minnesota DNR. It’s important to create a record of the crash.

Document the scene

If you are able to, take photos or videos of the scene. These can be useful for your attorney and any expert witnesses who might be able to help support your case.

Get names and contact info for witnesses

Witnesses may be able to provide information that can help you build your case. Make sure you have the ability to get in touch with them.

Keep your snowmobile or rented equipment for inspection

The crash may have resulted from a defective or poorly maintained part. Also, if the vehicle is heavily damaged, this can be helpful in showing the severity of the crash. These factors may help you build your claim.

Do not speak with insurance adjusters without legal counsel

Insurance adjusters are going to work to try to minimize your claim and save money. If they can use your words against you to reduce their exposure, they will. Your attorney can help you with these communications.

Contact Bradshaw & Bryant

The sooner you speak to a dedicated attorney, the better. Our Minnesota snowmobile accident lawyers can work with you to preserve evidence, protect your legal rights, and help you understand the true value of your case so that you don’t accept a lowball offer.

Understanding Minnesota’s snowmobile laws

Minnesota has snowmobile laws on the books, many of which are meant to prevent injuries and accidents. Some of the regulations to know include:

  • Riders must complete safety training and may have age-related riding restrictions
  • Operating under the influence (.08 BAC or higher) is illegal
  • Snowmobiling on private land requires permission
  • You must report all serious injury accidents to the Minnesota DNR
  • Negligent riders may be liable for damages under personal injury law and traffic safety statutes

If a rider violates the law, this can be evidence that they were negligent. Your lawyer can help uncover issues that could impact your claim.

Compensation available in a snowmobile injury claim

Snowmobile accident damages in Minnesota can fall into several categories.

Economic damages

Your economic damages are those that you can provide receipts for, or at least reasonable estimates for, based on factors like your current salary in the case of future lost wages. Some of the types of compensation that fall into this category include:

  • Emergency medical care
  • Ongoing treatments and rehab
  • Lost wages and loss of future income
  • Property damage (destroyed snowmobile)

Damages in this category can add up really quickly. It’s important to have a snowmobile accident lawyer who can help you think of all of your losses so that you can pursue full compensation.

Non-economic damages

For losses that are harder to calculate, you can recover non-economic damages, including:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional trauma
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Permanent disability or disfigurement
  • Loss of consortium (the inability to enjoy marital relations, or just the company and caring of your spouse)

In the case of deadly snowmobile crashes, surviving family members may be able to recover wrongful death damages.

Snowmobile accidents involving children

A snowmobile injury to a child in Minnesota can be especially devastating. Sadly, children are often injured as passengers or inexperienced riders. Those injuries may be more severe because of their size and limitations on available protective gear. The Minnesota snowmobile accident lawyers at Bradshaw & Bryant handle these cases with extra care. We advocate for long-term medical and psychological recovery for young accident victims. Our lawyers also understand the unique challenges involved in helping children explain what happened and how they’re feeling.

How long do I have to file a snowmobile injury claim?

The statute of limitations is a law that puts limits on how long you have to file a claim. The typical statute of limitations for personal injury in Minnesota is 6 years (Minn. Stat. § 541.05). Wrongful death claims have a shorter limit of 3 years (Minn. Stat. § 573.02).

While it might appear that you have a long time to file your claim, it would be a mistake to wait. If you file your case years after the accident, it will be more challenging to find evidence, and your witnesses may have less reliable memories of the event. It’s much better to act quickly.

Why you need a Minnesota snowmobile accident lawyer

Insurance companies often minimize or deny claims involving recreational vehicles. They have teams of lawyers working to further their interests. You need your own lawyer to represent your interests. At Bradshaw & Bryant, our snowmobile accident lawyers:

  • Investigate the cause of the crash
  • Preserve evidence before it disappears
  • Work with snowmobile safety experts and accident reconstruction professionals
  • Question everyone with knowledge of your accident
  • Work with your doctors to understand the scope and severity of your injuries
  • Negotiate for full and fair compensation
  • Take your case to court if the opposing side is unwilling to offer a fair settlement

Why choose Bradshaw & Bryant for your case?

At Bradshaw & Bryant, we know Minnesota trails, DNR safety laws, and have experience handling rural crash litigation. With over 30 years of experience in injury law, we’re ready to represent you in your snowmobile crash case. Our team offers each client personalized, compassionate representation and advocacy. And remember that you pay us no fees unless we win your case.

Do you have a snowmobile accident lawyer near me?

Yes. Bradshaw & Bryant serves clients across Minnesota from our offices, including our main location at 1505 Division St, Waite Park, MN 56387. If you cannot make it to our office, we may be able to make alternative arrangements. We can come to you or discuss your case through a video or phone call.

Contact us today for a free case review

A snowmobile crash can change your life. You don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Call Bradshaw & Bryant today, or use our online contact form to speak with an experienced snowmobile accident lawyer. We’re prepared to handle your claim so that you can focus on rebuilding your life.