The Dangers of ATVs

All-terrain vehicle (ATV) accidents can cause serious injuries and even death. Drivers of ATVs are particularly vulnerable because they are completely exposed. Many ATV accidents involve ‘rollovers’ that can crush the driver below the vehicle. As with any type of motor vehicle, drivers should take necessary safety precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.

Common causes of ATV accidents

Reckless driving

People operating an ATV for the first time may feel tempted to drive recklessly due to the ability of ATVs to drive through rough terrain at relatively high speeds. ATV drivers should always remain conscious of their surroundings. Ditches, rocks, and puddles can send a driver flying over the handle-bars. Also, ATVs are not cars; they should not be driven on roads paved for normal motor vehicles and they should not be raced.

Children operating adult vehicles

A tragically high percentage of ATV deaths happen to children under the age of 16 years. Children typically lack the maturity to make responsible decisions while riding ATVs unsupervised. ATVs come in different sizes. Children should be absolutely prevented from riding adult-sized ATVs.

Riding with a passenger

Unlike UTVs, which have a seat for a passenger, ATVs only have one seat for the driver. Sometimes, operators of ATVs assume that they can bring a passenger along for the ride. This can lead to risky and reckless driving behavior that can increase the likelihood that a driver will lose control of the vehicle or that the passenger will be seriously injured.

Defective product

Unfortunately, ATVs and UTVs have a history of manufacturing defects that have been responsible for injuries and even death. For example, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, Yamaha agreed to suspend sales of Rhino models due to safety concerns.

Weather and terrain

Sometimes, drivers of ATVs and UTVs think that their vehicles are indestructible. Even though these vehicles are more suited for rough terrain than other types of vehicles, an unnoticed rock or a ditch can still cause rollovers and serious injuries. Additionally, poor weather conditions—such as rain—can cause an operator to lose control of the vehicle.

Other Resources:
• ATV Accidents
• ATV Injury
• ATV Death

What to Do After an ATV Accidents

If you are injured in an ATV accident, then your first priority, of course, is to seek medical attention if necessary. If your injury is serious, do not try to move or treat it by yourself. Call the police or ask a friend to call.

While you may not be thinking about the aftermath of your injuries at the scene of the accident, what you do could play a crucial role in determining whether you are eligible for compensation from an insurance company. In some cases, compensation can cover medical costs, lost wages due to absence from, and other consequences of your injury such as pain and suffering.

Are you eligible for compensation?

Over the past few years, countless victims of all-terrain vehicle and utility-terrain vehicle accidents have received compensation for injuries and wrongful deaths caused by manufacturing defects. If you believe that your accident may have been caused by a defect, then you may be eligible to recover damages. In all likelihood, the ATV’s insurance company will try to demonstrate that your accident was caused by you and not the vehicle.

Building your case involves gathering facts about your accident. If possible, the best place to do this is at the scene of the accident. There are several steps that you can take at the scene:

• Take photographs or ask a companion to take photographs of the scene; showing that the conditions of the terrain are safe and not unusual could be a key component of your injury claim.
• Gather the contact information and statements from witnesses.
• Record possible relevant details, such as the weather.
• Explain what happened to the police; do not exaggerate and do not say anything that could imply that you caused the accident.
• Call an attorney: an attorney can tell you how to proceed with your claim and advise you about how to communicate with insurance companies, which may try to elicit statements from you that compromise your claim. An attorney will also collect important documents, such as the police report, information about the model of your ATV, and develop a list of damages.

Finally, you will want to see a doctor or medical professional. Doctors can support your claim by showing that you suffered injuries from the ATV accident and can provide you with an estimate about how long it may take to recover.

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