According to news reports, a woman from Hopkinton, Massachusetts was seriously injured in a snowmobiling accident near Jackman, Maine on Thursday. Apparently, the 46-year-old woman was snowmobiling with a group of people, but then she was unable to make a right-hand turn, veered off the trail and crashed into the woods. The snowmobile landed on top of her, while continuing to spin, causing further injuries. The group soon realized she was missing and doubled back to find her. The woman was transported via helicopter to a hospital in Bangor. Authorities have indicated that vehicle’s speed and the woman’s lack of familiarity with the area were potential contributors to the accident.
Snowmobiling is incredibly popular. According to the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association, 51,796 snowmobiles were sold in the U.S. in 2011, and there are about 1.55 million registered snowmobiles in the country. Unfortunately, snowmobiling accidents are not all that uncommon. About one month ago, a 51-year-old Massachusetts man died in a snowmobile accident near Milan, New Hampshire around February 8, 2012. Like yesterday’s incident, the man appears to have been the last riders in a group and lost control of his snowmobile. Although the man was wearing a helmet, his died on the scene.
To use a snowmobile in Massachusetts, a person must be registered with the Massachusetts Environmental Police and must wear a helmet. If you have any questions about MA regulations concerning snowmobile use, or regulations in another state, or if you have been injured in a snowmobiling accident in-state or elsewhere, you are advised to seek the advice of a seasoned MA snowmobile accident lawyer.
Mass. woman seriously injured in snowmobile accident, BangorDailyNews.com, March 9, 2012
Massachusetts Woman Seriously Injured in Snowmobile Accident, WABItv.com, March 9, 2012