“Snowmobile accidents on rise in N.Y.” !!!

That headline grabbed my attention from the front page of the Elmira Star-Gazette. The Ziff Law Firm has seen a sharp increase in snowmobile injury actions  in New York state and Pennsylvania. Over the years, we have handled a number of very significant snowmobile accidents where our clients suffered substantial injuries. But there is definitely a recent increase in the number of local snowmobile crashes that we are hearing about in the Elmira, Corning, Horseheads areas.

In the Star-Gazette’s story, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation reported that snowmobile accidents increased by about 11.5 percent between the winter of 2007-08 and 2008-09. The number of reported snowmobile accidents rose from 285  in a year to 318.

News sources across the upstate region are reporting accidents and arrests

One of the recent accidents in Upstate New York was a fatality – “Upstate NY Man Dies in Snowmobile Accident.” It happened in Lewis County, and a 26-year-old man was killed when he ran his snowmobile off the road and hit an embankment.

“Snowmobile accident leads to arrest” – An intoxicated snowmobile driver in Wayne County was driving his snowmobile so fast that it flew off the trail, got airborne, and struck some trees.

Snowmobiles are big, powerful machines capable of high speeds, careless or unskilled operation can result in serious injuries to passengers, drivers, and other people.

“Snowmobiling is an inherently dangerous sport,” Gary Broderick, president of the New York State Snowmobile Association, was quoted as saying in the Star-Gazette story by Jeff Murray. “The rider is responsible to operate his or her snowmobile in a safe manner.”

Because of these dangers, it is very important that snowmobile operators get proper training, to use proper safety equipment and to follow “the rules of the snow” when operating their snowmobile.

One of the most important rules – Don’t drive a snowmobile while intoxicated. The NYSSA has an important bulletin about this safety tip. Use this link to read “Zero Alcohol: Your Smart Choice.”

Thanks for reading,

_________________________________
James B. Reed
NY & PA Snowmobile Accident Lawyer
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
Mailto: jreed@zifflaw.com
Office: (607)733-8866
Toll-Free: 800-ZIFFLAW (943-3529)
Web: www.zifflaw.com
Blogs: NYInjuryLawBlog.com and
NYBikeAccidentBlog.com