Throughout Canada in the winter, residents and visitors alike enjoy engaging in outdoor recreational activities. One of the most exciting for many is snowmobiling. Currently more than 600,000 snowmobiles are legally registered in the country. To put the popularity of the activity in Canada into perspective, last year more than one-third of the snowmobiles sold throughout the world, were purchased by Canadians.
Unfortunately, in addition to being a fun winter activity, it can also be quite dangerous. According to one statistic, in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, up to 50 people are killed in incidents involving snowmobiles, each year. Many more are injured severely enough to require a trip to the hospital for treatment.
There are a variety of accident types that snowmobilers are injured in each year. In addition to colliding with other snowmobilers, some are thrown from the machines when they hit a mound of snow. Some are struck in the face by objects they pass and others, who venture onto seemingly frozen bodies of water, fall through the ice and drowned. In still other situations, avalanches claim the lives of riders.
In some situations it is the sole action of the snowmobiler that leads to a fatal accident. Other times however, the negligence of another party is to blame. In the latter instance a wrongful death lawsuit may be appropriate.
If you, a friend or a family member are victims of someone’s negligence and suffering from injuries and losses, contact us to speak to one of our lawyers to know your rights and what steps you should be taking in order to protect your rights for the future.
