ATV accidents can result in serious, life-altering injuries.
There are few things more fun than riding on an all-terrain vehicle, or ATV. Being in the open air out in the woods or on a back road on an ATV gives you a sense of freedom — yet lack of seat belts and other protections on ATVs can lead to serious injuries.
Even the most experienced ATV driver can be in an accident, particularly when off-roading. After all, the point of “off-roading” is to be on unpaved, uneven surfaces — which only increases the risk of hitting some sort of obstruction, like a tree root, rock, or large hole. Inexperienced riders, such as someone who rented an ATV or borrowed one from a friend, are at an even higher risk of being hurt in an ATV accident. Passengers on an ATV may be even more susceptible to injuries when sitting on the back of a vehicle being operated by another person. Riders of all experience levels may simply go too fast and take unnecessary risks, leading to accidents.
Being properly trained in how to safely drive an ATV is critical to avoiding ATV collisions. Always wear proper protective gear when driving or riding an ATV, including a helmet. Never drive at excessive speeds, and avoid driving at night and in places where you are unfamiliar with the terrain. Large roots and other obstructions can cause accidents, so if you are not familiar with the area, they could cause you to have a crash. Finally, never drink alcohol or use drugs if you are going to be driving an ATV.
Common injuries from ATV accidents include broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries and even death. These injuries can be life-altering and result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills. Depending on the facts of a particular case, you may have a valid personal injury case if you have been injured in an ATV accident due to the negligence of another person. If you were a passenger on an ATV and are not related to the driver, you could file a claim against the driver. This claim could be covered by insurance on the vehicle itself, or by the driver’s homeowner’s insurance. If your child was with another family and riding their ATV, then you may also be able to file a claim against that family based on their failure to supervise your child properly, resulting in the accident that caused a serious injury or even death. Importantly, in most cases, you would have to file a claim or a lawsuit against the other party in order to recover. However, this claim would typically be against the other person’s insurance company. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you determine if you have a viable case based on your ATV accident, and whether or not you can file a claim against someone for your injuries or your child’s injuries.
If you or someone you love has been involved in an ATV crash due to the negligence of another person, you will need an experienced personal injury attorney to help you get the money you deserve. Contact the Law Offices of Larry H. Parker today at 800-333-0000 or info@larryhparker.com to schedule a free initial consultation and learn about your rights and options. We never charge a fee unless we recover money for you!
