Posts Tagged ‘ontario snowmobile accident lawyers’
Are Ontario accident benefits available to snowmobile accidents? Ottawa lawyer David Hollingsworth explains.
Ontario Snowmobile Accident Lawyer, Ottawa Injury Lawyer David Hollingsworth..The weather we have been getting here in eastern Ontario has left many snowmobilers and ice fishing enthusiasts in a dangerous position. It seems as though one day, mild weather is on it’s way and the next we are hit with 15 centimetres of snow. What concerns me as an Ontario injury lawyer is how dangerous it can be out there on the ice. The most obvious snowmobiling rule is to never cross water as there are no guarantees that ice is thick enough to support a human or a motor vehicle such as a snowmobile. Ice is always dangerous and could break open at any point. I would caution everyone to stay clear of frozen water it is absolutely certain it is safe.
Snowmobiles have far less traction for starting, turning, and stopping on ice than they do on snow. It is always best to travel at slower speeds, allowing a snowmobile driver to keep better control and fast stop on shorter notice. Trying to stop a snowmobile that is travelling at higher speeds typically results in spins, which are not only dangerous but can be fatal. For best control, it is best to drive your snowmobile from a seated position.
Snowmobile accidents on Ontario lakes are far too common. Most Ontario lakes are flat, wide open areas, but they are not free of obstructions. Remember, if you can ride and turn in any direction while operating on a lake, so can other snowmobile riders. That means that another driver could appear out of nowhere. A snowmobile accident could happen at any time. Although there are many head on snowmobile accidents each year in Ontario, drowning is a leading cause of fatal snowmobile accidents. To be safe, it’s always best to wear a floatation snowmobile suit and ride with ice picks.
What to do if you fall through the ice..
If the ice breaks and you fall through the ice, try to stay calm. Place your arms out in front of you on the outer unbroken ice . Try to kick your feet to propel yourself up onto the ice. Keep doing so until the ice stops breaking. If you don’t have an ice pick, use anything sharp such as keys or a knife to help dig into the ice and give you a grip. Don’t remove your gloves. Once you get up onto the ice, crawl away from the hole. Absolutely do not stand up until you are safely far away from the hole as standing up increases the chances of the ice cracking.
A snowmobile is considered to be a motor vehicle. All snowmobiles must be registered, no matter what they’re used for or where they’re used. Safety is so important to enjoying snowmobiling. Each year, many accidents happen that are completely preventable, causing needless death and injury each year.
If someone you know or if you have been injured in an Ontario snowmobile accident, you many be entitled to Ontario accident benefits through your own insurance. If you have not insured your snowmobile, you may still be entitled to Ontario accident benefits. There are options out there and help for you. Consult an Ontario personal injury lawyer to discuss how you can get some help.
———————- Our Ottawa Injury Lawyer Blog is written regularly by Ontario personal injury lawyer David Hollingsworth. The Ottawa Injury Lawyer Blog reports on accidents in eastern Ontario, personal injury issues, local Ottawa news and events and various news that relates to Ottawa, accidents and personal injury. Visit www.ottawainjury.ca for more information. If you have a topic you would like me to write about or if you have a question, please call or email me: david@ottawainjury.ca (613) 978-9549
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Ottawa Ontario snowmobile accident lawyer David Hollingsworth, Ontario Accident Benefits Snowmobile Accidents
Ride and stay alive ! Ontario Snowmobile Accidents Safety Tips, Ottawa Lawyer
Posted by Ottawa Personal Injury Lawyer, Ottawa Accident Lawyer, David Hollingsworth in Ottawa Area Snowmobile accidents, Ottawa Injury and Accidents on January 26th, 2011
I have yet to ride a snowmobile myself, but I can understand the attraction. Sadly, every year in Ontario, the number of snowmobile accidents is staggering. Winter is certainly upon us and I thought after this week’s big chill, it might be a time where more riders are out on their vehicles ( yes, a snowmobile is a motor vehicle) and thought I’d share some very obvious basic safety tips that simply serve as a reminder to everyone out there heading out on their sleds.
Snowmobiling in Ontario: If you plan on riding across Ontario lakes or Ontario rivers, investigate the conditions before you go and cross only by following marked stake lines. For your safety, follow these safety tips:
- Wear a bright, buoyant snowmobile suit.
- Carry ice picks at all times.
- If your snowmobile breaks the ice:
- Place hands/arms on unbroken ice while kicking hard to propel your body as far as you can onto the ice, like a seal.
- Kick vigorously into a horizontal position and swim to the nearest ice edge.
- Once clear, stay flat and roll away to stronger ice.
- Quickly replace wet clothes, keep moving to generate body heat, and find immediate shelter and warmth if possible.
Avoiding Snowmobile Accidents at Night: 9/10 snowmobile fatalities, occur after dark. Slow down, don’t overdrive your headlights. Becoming disoriented or lost is much more likely to happen at night. Wear bright outer clothing with reflective trim on the arms, back and helmet. Never ride your snowmobile alone at night. Always dress in your full reflective snowmobiling outfit even if your intending to just go next-door. You never know….
Avoid Alcohol= Avoiding Snowmobile Accidents- Sadly, alcohol is involved in over 70% of snowmobiling accidents that tragically end in death. Any amount of alcohol can impair your perception, slow your reaction time and limit your ability to control your sled at a critical moment. Operating your snowmobile while under the influence of alcohol is punishable under the Criminal Code of Canada. If convicted of driving a snowmobile while impaired, you will lose all driving privileges (car, truck, motorcycle, off-road vehicles and snowmobile). In other words, if you drink and drive your snowmobile, both your driver’s license and insurance are at risk.
Reduce the Chances of a snowmobile accident by driving defensively. Engine noise and your helmet may impair your hearing, so be extra alert for danger. You can only control your snowmobile driving, not how others drive. Your safety is in your own hands, so watch out for a variety of conditions, including:
- Oncoming sleds
- Obstacles hidden by the snow
- Trees and branches on the trail
- Slow grooming equipment
- Bridges, open water and
- Other trail users (skiers, walkers)
- Wildlife
- Unexpected corners, intersections and stops
- Trail wash outs and flooding
- unsafe ice
- Snow banks and moguls
- Road and railway crossings
- Logging operations
Get out there and enjoy this beautiful, cold winter we are having….but please be safe. Before you hop on your snowmobile, take a few seconds to prepare yourself in the event of a snowmobile accident. Should you be involved in an Ontario snowmobile accident, know that there are accident benefits to which you are entitled to through your car insurance. Contact an Ontario personal injury lawyer to find out how best to maximize your compensation.
- Source: Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs
About Ottawa Ontario Personal Injury Lawyer David Hollingsworth——————————————————
David Hollingsworth has been an Ottawa Ontario personal injury lawyer specializing in personal injury representing motor vehicle accident victims, including those involved in car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bus accidents, snowmobile accidents since 1999. David practices with an established Ottawa law firm of more than 50 years of experience in representing accident victims, and helping personal injury accident victims get the maximum compensation they need. David knows how to make a difference in accident victims lives (whether they are at fault or not) at a particularly difficult and stressful time. David works hard at always obtaining maximum compensation for his personal injury clients and their families and relieving them of stress. David offers free consultations, takes cases on contingency and travels to homes or hospital. Visit www.ottawainjury.ca for more information.
Ottawa Ontario Personal Injury Lawyer
mobile (613) 978-9549 (613) 237-4922 ext.203
