Lawyer Awarded $3.3M in Snowmobile Collision

A Massachusetts lawyer, Jeffrey Smith, was awarded $3.3 million in damages after crashing his snowmobile into a parked US Army Black Hawk helicopter in March 2019. The accident, which occurred on a rural airstrip also used as a snowmobile trail near a friend's house, left Smith with severe injuries including a collapsed lung and nerve damage. U.S. District Judge Mark Mastroianni ruled that the government was 60% responsible for failing to mark or illuminate the camouflaged helicopter, while Smith was found 40% responsible for speeding and wearing tinted goggles. Despite initially seeking $9.5 million, Smith's lawsuit highlighted the military's negligence in choosing a risky landing site. Additionally, Smith settled with the owner of the airstrip for an undisclosed amount. The ruling aims to promote public safety by addressing the shared responsibility in the incident.