Many areas around New York City and its surroundings are popular with snowmobile enthusiasts. Places like Fahnestock Memorial State Park in Putnam County, Bear Mountain State Park in the Hudson Valley, or the scenic areas surrounding Harriman State Park provide great winter backdrops for snowmobiling. However, accidents can occur even in these picturesque locations, often caused by negligence, unforeseen hazards, or unsafe conditions.
If you've been hurt in a snowmobile accident, a New York City snowmobile accident lawyer at William Mattar Law Offices can step in to protect your rights and help you pursue compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and legal options.
Table of contents
- Why Choose the William Mattar Law Offices for Your Snowmobile Accident Claim
- Should I Accept the First Offer from the Insurance Company After an Accident on a Snowmobile?
- Who May Be Held Liable in a Snowmobile Accident?
- Compensation Available in a Snowmobile Accident in NYC
- What if I’m Partly to Blame for My Snowmobile Accident Injuries?
- Common Causes of Snowmobile Accidents
- Types Of Snowmobile Collisions
- Snowmobiling Accident Injuries
- Contact Our New York City Snowmobile Accident Lawyers Today
Why Choose the William Mattar Law Offices for Your Snowmobile Accident Claim
When you’ve been injured in a snowmobile accident, choosing the right legal team can make a world of difference. At William Mattar, we have over three decades of experience helping injured victims. Our focus is clear—we handle a variety of injury cases, from motor vehicle collisions to recreational vehicle accidents like snowmobiles. You deserve a lawyer with deep experience handling cases just like yours.
Our team is available 24/7 to take your call and provide you with guidance. We understand how complex snowmobile accident cases can be, and we’re always here to listen to your story with care and compassion. When you choose William Mattar, you’re not just getting an attorney; you’re getting an entire team of trusted legal professionals determined to maximize your recovery.
What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to your needs. Snowmobile accidents often come with large medical bills, missed work, and years of emotional and physical recovery. It’s not just a case for us; it’s about your future. We work tirelessly to secure compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more while supporting you every step of the way.
Should I Accept the First Offer from the Insurance Company After an Accident on a Snowmobile?
One of the first challenges you’ll face after an accident is dealing with the insurance company. It’s common for insurers to contact accident victims quickly, offering what may seem like a fair settlement. After all, they’ll tell you they understand your pain and want to help you move forward. But here’s the truth: the first offer is almost always a lowball offer meant to save the insurance company money.
Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and attorneys trained to minimize payouts. They will review your case with one goal in mind—to close it for the lowest amount possible. They might downplay the severity of your injuries or claim that your accident was partly your fault, undermining your claim.
This is why you need an experienced New York City snowmobile accident attorney. Without legal representation, it can be incredibly difficult to know whether you’re being offered fair compensation. At William Mattar Law Offices, we negotiate directly with the insurance company on your behalf, taking the pressure off your shoulders. We have experience seeing through the tactics used by adjusters and ensuring that accident victims like you are treated with the respect and fairness they deserve.
We’ll assess your damages fully, considering medical bills, lost income, future treatments, and even how the accident has impacted your emotional well-being. With us on your side, you can focus on your recovery while we fight for the compensation you deserve.
Who May Be Held Liable in a Snowmobile Accident?
Determining liability in a snowmobile accident can be complicated, as multiple parties may share responsibility. One of our jobs as your legal team is to investigate the circumstances of your accident thoroughly to identify which party, or parties, should be held accountable for your injuries.
- Other Snowmobile Operators: Another reckless snowmobiler may have caused the crash by speeding, riding under the influence, or failing to follow safety regulations.
- Landowners: If your accident occurred on private property, the landowner may be liable if they failed to maintain safe conditions for snowmobile riders or knowingly allowed hazards to exist on their property.
- Vehicle Manufacturers: Defective snowmobiles or faulty parts can lead to catastrophic accidents. If a design flaw or manufacturing defect was the cause, the manufacturer could be held liable.
- Snowmobile Rental Companies: If you rented a snowmobile for your trip and the company did not properly maintain or inspect the vehicle, they may be responsible for putting you at risk.
Every case is unique, and sometimes liability may involve a combination of these parties. This is why having a dedicated attorney on your side is so critical. At William Mattar Law Offices, we’ll investigate every detail, from obtaining eyewitness accounts, police reports, and maintenance records to working with accident reconstruction experts if necessary.
Compensation Available in a Snowmobile Accident in NYC
A snowmobile accident can result in devastating injuries and unexpected financial challenges. If you’ve been hurt, you may be entitled to various forms of compensation to help ease the burden and secure your recovery.
Victims of snowmobile accidents in New York City can typically pursue compensation in several categories, including:
- Medical Expenses: This includes current and future costs for doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, therapy, medications, and any other necessary treatments related to your injuries.
- Lost Income: If your injuries prevent you from working, either temporarily or permanently, you may be entitled to recover the income you’ve lost as well as loss of earning potential if you cannot return to your previous job.
- Pain and Suffering: Beyond the financial impact, physical pain and emotional distress can take a toll on your life. You may be eligible to pursue damages for the emotional and psychological effects of the accident, such as anxiety, depression, or loss of enjoyment of life.
- Property Damage: If your snowmobile or any other personal equipment was damaged in the accident, you could seek compensation for its repair or replacement.
- Wrongful Death: If a loved one tragically passed away in a snowmobile accident, surviving family members may pursue compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other related damages through a wrongful death claim.
Every case is different, and determining the full value of your claim requires a careful assessment of your specific circumstances. At William Mattar Law Offices, our team is committed to fighting for your maximum compensation so that you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life.
What if I’m Partly to Blame for My Snowmobile Accident Injuries?
It’s not uncommon for accidents to have more than one contributing factor. If you believe you were partly to blame for your snowmobile accident, you may still have the opportunity to recover compensation under New York’s pure comparative negligence rule.
Under this rule, your compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. For example, if a jury determines you are 25% at fault for the accident, you would still be entitled to recover 75% of your damages. This legal framework allows accident victims to pursue compensation even when they share partial responsibility for their injuries.
Insurance companies often try to use comparative negligence to their advantage, exaggerating your role in the accident to reduce the amount they have to pay. This is where having a skilled NYC snowmobile accident lawyer on your side is critical. At William Mattar Law Offices, we stand up to these tactics and work to ensure fault is accurately assigned to protect your claim and secure fair compensation.
If you’re concerned about your role in the accident, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’ll carefully review the details of your case, explain how the comparative negligence rule may apply, and develop a strategy to pursue the best outcome possible.
Common Causes of Snowmobile Accidents
There are a few common causes of snowmobile accidents. Some factors that can increase the risk of a snowmobile crash include:
- Alcohol impairment: Many recreational snowmobilers combine drinking with riding. For this reason, alcohol is a cause of snowmobile accidents. Alcohol and other substances impair judgment and increase the risk of an error when operating a snowmobile.This, combined with the other dangers associated with snowmobiles, can lead to a life-changing accident.
- Speeding: Riding a snowmobile can be exhilarating—many of these vehicles reach very high speeds.But speeding on a snowmobile trail can result in a collision with an obstacle or cause a rider or passenger to fall off and sustain a severe injury.
- Dangerous terrain: Certain snowmobile routes and terrain can be hazardous, including wooded trails and areas. Driving in low visibility, such as at night or in inclement weather conditions, is another factor that increases the danger of a particular snowmobile trail. Being unfamiliar with an area and its various natural obstacles can also lead to a accident.
- Inexperience: Like all vehicles, safely operating a snowmobile requires experience and safety precautions. An inexperienced rider may find themselves unable to handle unexpected hazards or challenging terrain.
Types Of Snowmobile Collisions
Every snowmobile accident case is different. For instance, some involve a snowmobile colliding with an object, such as a tree. Others involve a driver or passenger being flung from a snowmobile while going over a bump. Some types of collisions involving snowmobiles include:
- Snowmobile rollovers;
- Falls from a steep height;
- Accident because of a snowmobiling trick (such as a jump);
- Collisions with pedestrians or other vehicles; and
- Collisions with obstacles (such as a tree).
If you have been injured in a snowmobile crash of any kind, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We are standing by 24/7 to get started on your accident claim.
Snowmobiling Accident Injuries
Accidents sustained in a snowmobile collision can be catastrophic. For example, if a rider or a passenger fails to wear the appropriate safety gear, such as a helmet, the risk of suffering a serious injury, such as a traumatic brain injury, is higher. Common types of injuries in snowmobile accidents include head and neck injuries, spinal injuries, and broken bones. Depending on the circumstances, snowmobile accidents can also be fatal.
Serious snowmobiling accident injuries can lead to paralysis or life-long disabilities that require extensive rehabilitation. Long-term medical care or physical therapy can result in costly out-of-pocket expenses, including medical and hospital bills. Accident victims may also no longer be able to work, resulting in a loss of income.
If you are in this situation, an accident attorney can potentially help you pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact William Mattar today to learn more about your legal options.
Contact Our New York City Snowmobile Accident Lawyers Today
If you’ve been injured in a snowmobile accident, you don’t have to face this challenging time alone. At William Mattar Law Offices, we are here to help you every step of the way.
Here’s how we can assist you:
- Investigate the details of your snowmobile accident to build a strong case.
- Handle all communication and negotiations with insurance companies to protect your interests.
- Identify all liable parties and hold them accountable for their actions.
- Fight diligently to maximize your financial recovery, including compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
- Ensure you fully understand your legal options and provide guidance with compassion and care.
Don’t wait to get the help you need. Contact us today at (716) 444-4444 or through our online form to discuss your case during a free, no-obligation consultation. Remember, with our No Fee Until We Win promise, you don’t pay any legal fees unless we recover compensation for you. Contact William Mattar Law Offices now to take the first step toward the justice you deserve.