With the aid of a snow sled, one can easily slide down a slope or hill covered in white stuff. They frequently lack steering devices or controls and are typically non-motorized. Various things, including another person, dogs, horses, or motorized vehicles, may occasionally tow them. As a result, the sled’s rider or riders frequently need more control over the sled’s speed or trajectory (unlike other snow vehicles such as snowmobiles).
Because of this lack of control, sleds may be more likely to be involved in accidents. Accidents involving snow sleds can occur when they collide with people, other sleds, cars, or fixed objects like a pole, wall, or tree. They can also involve falls over cliffs or precipices, tip-overs, and rollovers. Broken bones, head injuries, neck injuries, and other serious injuries can result from sledding, among other things. Certain snow sleds can achieve very high speeds, so these injuries can frequently be severe.
Safety When Sledding
Recall what it felt like to learn that school was canceled when you woke up on a snowy morning. Snow day! We played in the snow, drank hot cocoa, and went sledding on snow days. Sledding is amazing for kids. Even as an adult, it’s still really cool! As you sped down the hill on your sled with the chilly wind in your face, you had the sensation of flying. As soon as you attained the bottom, you turned around and climbed back up, prepared to repeat the process.
You didn’t consider the risks of sledding when you were a kid. As adults, we frequently see news reports about kids hurt or even killed in sledding mishaps. When you take your kids sledding, some of you worry even if you don’t want to ruin the fun.
Sledding Accidents
You have every right to be concerned about the welfare of your kids. According to a study published in Pediatrics, Sledding injuries are real. Safety when sledding is a top priority. Over 20,000 kids were treated in emergency rooms yearly from 1997 to 2007 for injuries sustained in sledding accidents. There are steps you can take to prevent sledding injuries. See the 15 safety recommendations listed below to avoid a sledding mishap.
Tips for Sledding Safety
Bundle Up
Before you even step outside, you should practice safe sledding. It’s time to don your best winter attire! You can endure the cold for a longer time if you are warmer. The best defense against frostbite is wearing layers of warm clothing. Winter clothing that is thick will act as padding in the event of a collision.
Snow boots, gloves, a hat, and a winter coat are essential. Be careful not to wear a scarf that is too long if you do. A scarf that hangs loosely could become tangled in the sled and result in neck or strangle injuries.
Whenever you can, wear waterproof clothing. Due to the wet snow, some apparel, such as knit gloves, may easily become damp. To stay warm, make sure to replace any damp clothing right away.
Put on a Helmet
Okay, so this might not make the kids happy. But according to research, sledders travel downhill at an average speed of 19 miles per hour. If you collide with something moving 19 mph, you could suffer injuries. The danger of a serious injury is decreased with protective equipment.
Wearing a helmet for a few hours is preferable to having a severe brain injury that will affect you for the rest of your life. If you have a helmet for skiing or snowboarding, wear it. If not, a bike helmet is still preferable to nothing.
Look Out for Obstacles
Scan the terrain for obstacles like trees, rocks, and poles to help avoid a sledding disaster. Avoid sledding in an area if there are any hazards or impediments around. Snow may have covered some things, such as rocks or tree stumps, increasing the hazard.
Never sled toward a snow bank since there may be an unnoticed danger. You don’t want to sled into what appears to be a fluffy snowbank only to discover a big boulder hidden beneath.
Verify the Safety of the Landing Area
It would be best if you allowed enough space for stopping. Pick a hill with a sizable, level landing area. Don’t go sledding on a hill that terminates close to a road, playground, pond, or fence.
It is risky to go sledding down a hill that terminates close to a road or parking area. If your sled slides into the road, you can be struck by a vehicle. Car collisions can cause serious injuries or even death. Roads get slicker, and visibility is decreased by snow and ice. You won’t be visible to drivers, and they won’t be able to stop quickly. Even though a hill’s end may be close to a road with little traffic, the risk isn’t worth it.
Additionally, it would be best if you never sled close to a lake or other body of water. Despite the pond being frozen, you are still determining its thickness. If you fall into the water, you risk hypothermia or drowning.
Avoid Slippery or Ice-Coated Hills
On a steep or icy hill, you’ll move more quickly but lose control. If you spot a danger, you won’t be able to stop in time. In addition, ice-covered hills make for a difficult landing if you fall.
Select a Sled You Can Manage
Sleds with steering, brakes, or both are safer since you have more control. Snow disks, tubes, and saucers may travel faster, but stopping will not be as simple. Because of this, these sleds are riskier. More traumatic brain injuries are brought on by snow tubes than by any other kind of sled. A calamity is inevitable, given the lack of control and the rapid speed.
Who Is Responsible for the Event of a Snow Sled Accident?
Accidents involving snow sleds can result from several causes. A snow sled accident may involve multiple people, depending on the specifics. For instance, if neighboring skiers, another sled user, a spectator, or a car driver acted carelessly concerning the sled rider, they could be held accountable for the injury. A situation when someone cuts off a sledder and sends them crashing into something is an illustration of this.
Accidents involving snow sleds may occasionally be the consequence of a faulty sled. For instance, it has been observed that some sleds had handles or other elements that could break off while being used. This may result in an accident and user injury. In this case, the product’s manufacturer may be accountable for any injuries or property damage brought on by the flaw.
For a Claim Involving a Snow Sled Accident, Are There Any Legal Remedies Available?
Accidents using snow sleds may involve challenging legal concerns. To properly address this, litigation may frequently be necessary. The victim of a sled injury often receives financial compensation. These can pay for charges like hospital bills, prescription costs, lost wages, property damage, and other losses like medical and pharmacy costs.
Some snow sled flaws may necessitate additional legal measures, such as class actions or product recalls. These often happen when a single product issue has wounded or endangered multiple people.
Do I Require an Attorney to Handle My Snow-Sled Accident Claim?
Accidents involving snow sleds can be quite serious and may necessitate legal action. If you require legal aid or representation for your claim, you might want to engage a personal injury attorney in your region. You can receive advice from your lawyer throughout the entire legal process.
