Managing Snowmobile Accidents with James H. Brown and Associates

With winter just around the corner, many Albertans can hardly wait to get out on their snowmobiles. Whether it’s Athabasca, Whitecourt, Swan Hills Lake, or the thousands of kilometres surrounding Crowsnest Pass, safety is key to getting the most out of your next trip.

A big part of being safe is knowing what to do if you’re involved in an accident. To help you start planning your next snowmobile adventure, see below for James H. Brown and Associates’ top tips for dealing with snowmobile and other recreational vehicle accidents, as well as how we can help if you’re injured on the trails.

Don’t Tough It Out; Get Help If You’re Hurt

It can be tempting to try to power through an injury on a snowmobile trip. This is especially true when the injury looks and feels relatively “minor.” However, this is one of the most dangerous things any rider can do after an accident.

Safe snowmobiling requires total physical control of your sled. If an injury prevents you from riding safely, it’s time to stop, period. A rider who isn’t 100% in control of their vehicle is a danger to themselves and others.

Additionally, not all serious injuries cause immediate physical symptoms. For example, many whiplash-related injuries can take days, weeks, or sometimes even months to cause pain or other symptoms. Trying to ride in the meantime could very likely make an injury worse, leading to permanent damage, chronic pain, or other debilitating conditions.

Seek Medical Attention

Even if your injuries appear minor, it’s still important to get checked out as soon as you can after a snowmobile accident. A doctor or other medical professional will be able to fully diagnose your injuries and provide vital documentation if you need to make a claim. We’ve seen far too many insurance companies challenge the severity of injuries for victims who didn’t get checked out right away; it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Notice Changes Afterward? Keep Track of Them!

If your accident keeps you home from work, leads to extra medical expenses, or otherwise changes your day-to-day life, you need to be keeping track of it! Keeping a journal of “damages” and lifestyle changes caused by your accident can help ensure you have all the information you need to get fairly compensated for your injury.

Get Legal Advice (Before Talking with Insurance Companies)

If a third party was involved in or outright caused your accident, getting sound legal advice is crucial. Do NOT speak with any insurance company or provide a statement about your accident before seeking counsel from an experienced lawyer. Remember: insurance companies are for-profit businesses that make more money by paying accident victims as little as possible. Having a lawyer to help you through the claims process is the best way to ensure your rights are protected and you receive fair compensation.

Recreational Vehicle Injury Law with James H. Brown

Alberta recreational vehicle law can be complicated. If you’re injured, a professional opinion from an experienced team on your side can help ensure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to. James H. Brown and Associates’ award-winning team of accident injury lawyers are dedicated to helping Albertans attain complete, fair compensation for their injuries, allowing them to focus on the road to recovery.

Over the last three decades, we’ve learned that no two accidents are the same. That’s why we offer complete legal services and support for accident victims and their families, including:

• Over 200 years of combined injury law experience, including an unrivalled record of success in Alberta courts.
• Complete accident investigation services, including evidence preservation, accident reconstruction, and more.
• Multi-disciplinary experts and specialists to fully diagnose your injuries and determine long-term impacts.
• Strong relationships with Alberta organizations ready to assist with rehabilitation and recovery.
• And much more!

Get Started Today

Unlike many large law firms in Alberta, James H. Brown and Associates’ injury lawyers are ready to speak with you right away. No call centres, no intake teams, just the expert legal advice you and your family need.

Contact us today to speak with a lawyer and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with James H. Brown and Associates.