Alcohol Tied to Wisconsin Snowmobile Deaths
On behalf of Milwaukee personal injury attorney Ric Domnitz of Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. posted in Recreational Vehicle Accidents on Saturday, April 5, 2014.
The warming weather of spring may bring an end to Wisconsin’s snowmobiling season, but the injuries from crashes that occurred may linger long past the melting of the snow.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the 2013 – 2014 season saw an uptick in the number of fatal snowmobile crashes in the state, with 23 people killed up from 20 from the prior season. Factors of alcohol intoxication and excessive speed are suspected in 65 percent of the fatal collisions. Statewide, there were 142 accidents with injuries involving snowmobiles.
Officials with the DNR acknowledge that because snowmobilers are required to self-report all accidents that cause injuries, there is likely to be a significant underestimation of the full number of crashes with injury.
Of this season’s fatalities, nine had BAC levels above the state level of intoxication of 0.08. The deceased all had levels in the 0.13 to 0.27 range. Alcohol played a suspected role in at least six other snowmobile fatalities.
The DNR’s snowmobile safety administrator said this season’s weather was optimal for snowmobiling on the state’s network of trails due to the extreme cold temperatures. The season before had been marred by unstable ice conditions, as early season freezing and thawing resulted in five drownings.
A Vilas County safety committee launched a zero tolerance policy for alcohol while snowmobiling, featuring public service messages on local radio and TV stations. Additionally, the trails are now identified by three-digit markers on each intersection, as 911 calls following crashes indicate that most snowmobilers had no idea what their location was in an area with over 600 miles of crisscrossing trails.
If you were injured by a snowmobiler in a recreational vehicle accident, whether or not he was impaired, you may be eligible for compensation and payment of your medical bills and other damages. A Milwaukee personal injury attorney can advise you of your rights in the matter.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Wisconsin: Snowmobile deaths rise; alcohol blamed” Ashley Luthern, Mar. 26, 2014