Staying Safe on Your Snow Machine During the Long Alaska Winter

Every winter numerous Alaskans and tourists are injured in snowmachine accidents.

2013-01-09

January 09, 2013 (Press-News.org) The Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles defines a snow machine as a mechanized vehicle running on skis, belts, skids, treads or low-pressure tires that is designed primarily for use on the ice or snow. Many Alaskans (and the countless tourists that visit the state each year) just know them as a great way to spend time outdoors enjoying all that Alaska has to offer.

As fun as snow machines (also known as "snowmobiles" and "snow vehicles" in other states) can be, though, since they move at high speed through wooded areas, over frozen bodies of water and across the wilderness, they have the potential to cause serious injury. Now that winter is in full swing, it is important for those enjoying the great outdoors on snow machines to proceed with the common sense and caution to stay safe.

Tips for safe operation

Staying safe while riding a snowmobile is crucial in Alaska, especially given how harsh the climate can be in the depths of winter. Responsible operators will exercise caution and take protective measures to protect themselves and other riders, including:
- Never drinking or using drugs while riding
- Wearing protective gear like water/wind-resistant clothing, goggles, gloves, boots and helmets
- Not exceeding a safe operating speed
- Hitting the trails prepared for changing weather and trail conditions
- Being aware of others on the trails, particularly other snowmobilers, skiers and dog teams

Accidents happen

Even if you are adequately prepared for a snowmobile excursion and take proper precautions, snow machine accidents still happen with alarming frequency. There are an average of nearly 20,000 snowmobile accidents each year, many of them involving minors under the age of 16, and more having alcohol as a contributing factor. Given that snowmobiles can operate at near-highway speeds and that riders don't enjoy the protections offered by a car, when snowmobile accidents occur, the injuries can be devastating. Snow machine crashes can result in:
- Traumatic brain injuries (much more likely if a rider or operator isn't wearing a helmet)
- Broken bones
- Crush injuries caused by the snowmobile rolling over
- Spinal cord trauma
- Hypothermia/exposure/frostbite

Accidents do happen, but some snowmobile accidents can be prevented with safe operation and proper maintenance. If you or a loved one has been injured in a snowmobile accident caused by operator negligence or defective components, speak with an experienced Alaska personal injury attorney to learn more about your legal rights and possible options you may have to recover compensation for your injuries.

Article provided by Law Offices of Michael J. Schneider P.C.
Visit us at www.aktriallaw.com

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Drunk Driving in Massachusetts: An Overview of OUI Laws and Penalties

2013-01-09

Massachusetts' drunk driving laws have recently undergone significant changes. Following the implementation of Melanie's Law and legislation enacted in the wake of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's decision in Souza v. Registrar of Motor Vehicles, the penalties for an Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs conviction or chemical test refusal can be severe. Some of the consequences include driver's license suspension, fines and possible required use of an ignition interlock device. Massachusetts' OUI laws In Massachusetts, a driver may be convicted ...

Earnhardt's High-Profile Concussion Puts Spotlight on North Carolina Car Accident Injuries

2013-01-09

Dale Earnhardt, Jr., has one of the most recognizable names in America. He is beloved across the country by NASCAR fans for his own talent and his impressive racing pedigree. Something he was not as well known for until recently, though, was head injuries. Earlier this year, Earnhardt was involved in two major accidents within a five-week time span. The first crash involved him hitting the wall at Kansas Speedway after a tire blowout. He struck the wall with an estimated 40Gs of force, and even though he was checked out by NASCAR physicians after the accident and continued ...

Spousal or Partner Support in California

2013-01-09

When a couple separates or divorces in California, the court may order one spouse to pay the other a specific amount of money each month. This is called "spousal support" or "alimony" for married couples and "partner support" in domestic partnerships. How is spousal or partner support accessed? When a family law court calculates spousal or partner support, a judge considers some of the following factors: - The length of the partnership or marriage - Each person's needs based on the standard of living experienced during the marriage ...

Study Shows Increased Fatalities in Overcrowded Emergency Rooms

2013-01-09

When you or a loved one is suddenly faced with a serious medical crisis, the best option is often to go quickly to the emergency room at the nearest hospital. In such situations, the sick or injured individual must put trust in the trained medical professionals to provide the best possible quality of care. Unfortunately, results from a study recently conducted by Oregon Health and Science University have revealed that patients in emergency rooms are less likely to receive adequate care when the emergency department is busy. The study examined almost one million emergency ...

Sexual Abuse: Maryland Legislators Propose New Mandatory Reporting Bill

2013-01-09

As cases of sexual abuse are uncovered and investigated in the news, state legislators are attempting to tighten laws that address these types of cases. According to the federal Child Welfare Information Gateway, 47 states and Washington, D.C. impose penalties on mandatory reporters who knowingly and willfully fail to report alleged child abuse. In three states, failure to report purported abuse is a felony. In Maryland, health practitioners, educators, social service workers and police officers are required to report suspected child abuse to authorities. Furthermore, ...

Increase in Childbirth Complications Raises Concerns

2013-01-09

Annually, there are more than four million births in the United States. And while many of these deliveries are problem free, that is not always the case as roughly 52,000 women are impacted by severe childbirth complications each year, according to the Wall Street Journal. Even more concerning is that a recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discovered a drastic 75 percent increase in delivery emergencies in the decade ending in 2009 - emergencies such as heart attacks, stroke, respiratory problems and kidney failure. Also during ...

Government Still Running Way Behind on Social Security Disability Benefit Applications

2013-01-09

In spite of diligent work by government officials, the nation's disability law attorneys and advocates for the disabled, the interminable wait continues for countless Americans seeking Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income disability benefits. A recent expose published by The Baltimore Sun newspaper shows that applicants are waiting anywhere from 150 days to 635 days for an award of disability benefits. That is, of course, after disabled people have already waited a minimum of five months before a benefit will be paid; the initial delay ...

Drug Distribution Goes Viral: Online Sites Like Craigslist Being Used to Sell Prescription Meds

2013-01-09

As technology becomes more and more integrated into our daily lives, well-intentioned people out to make some quick money have taken to getting rid of leftover prescription medications by selling them online. New York has seen a spate of arrests from an 11-month investigation code-named "Operation dot com" that saw undercover officers and informants purchase nearly $20,000 worth of prescription pain, anxiety, depression, attention deficit disorder and erectile dysfunction drugs. Some see the sale of a handful of unused pills online as a "victimless" ...

Understanding Illinois Premise Liability During the Winter Months

2013-01-09

The winter is upon us and that means that there's plenty of snow and ice located on many types of surfaces including roadways, driveways and sidewalks. Unfortunately, slip and fall injuries go in tandem with these types of conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), over 1 million people every year in the U.S. sustain some type of fall. Many of these falls occur on premises and, unfortunately, are often times avoidable. Duty of property owners in Illinois In certain cases, property owners, or those in control of a property, who fail to correct ...

Arizona DUI Judge Suspected of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Painkillers

2013-01-09

A judge from Coconino County, who was responsible for hearing felony DUI cases, was recently removed from his judicial duties. Last month, the judge was pulled over while driving in Flagstaff, after he was observed swerving toward oncoming vehicles. The law enforcement officer who conducted the traffic stop believed the driver was under the influence of some type of intoxicating substance. Consequently, the judge was given a breathalyzer test. According to the officer, the driver's BAC was 0.229. Law enforcement officials reported that the judge indicated he had consumed ...

Staying Safe on Your Snow Machine During the Long Alaska Winter

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES: