Personal InjuryCalifornia All Terrain Vehicle Accident Lawyers
Children All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Accidents, Injuries and Fatalities
All Terrain Vehicles (commonly referred to as ATVs) are used throughout the country by children and adults for recreational and work related purposes. The vehicles have gas powered engines and come in 2, 3 and 4 wheeled models. The first All Terrain Vehicle was introduced in the early 1970's by Honda. Each year in the United States many adults and children are injured in All Terrain Vehicle accidents. If you have been involved in an ATV-related accident you may be entitled to pain and suffering, medical expenses, loss of earnings, and future loss of earnings.
Here are some statistics regarding All Terrain Vehicles:
- In the United States in the past 5 years it has been estimated that ATV-related injuries have doubled
- ATV-related injuries requiring emergency room assistance have increased over 100 percent in a recent 5 year period.
- Many ATVs weigh between 500 and 1,000 pounds
- Many ATVs can travel up to 75 miles per hour
In 1988 due to safety concerns by the United States government manufacturers of the 3 wheeled models stopped production of the vehicles. Although the 3 wheeled ATVs are no longer being produced many are still being used today. The risk of an accident on a three-wheeled ATV is almost twice as high as the risk of a four wheeled ATV accident.
Death, serious bodily injury, and property damage can all result from an ATV related accident. An All Terrain Vehicle accident can be caused by many different factors. Here are a few things to avoid while operating an ATV:
- Drinking/Drugs
- Speeding
- Driving on paved roads
- Driving at night
Every year there are substantial amounts of All Terrain Vehicle accidents that result in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), spinal cord injuries, quadriplegia, paraplegia, skull fractures, and even death. It has been proven in many different researches that children are more at risk for ATV related injuries than adults. Over 30,000 children of which were under the age of 16 were injured in All Terrain Vehicle-related accidents in 1997. Here are some ATV-related accidents from 2003 regarding that statement:
- In Kansas a 3-year-old boy died after an All Terrain Vehicle-related accident.
- In Indiana an 11-year-old girl died in an All Terrain Vehicle crash. She was riding on the vehicle with two friends.
- In Pennsylvania two teenaged boys from died when their ATVs hit head-on.
Inexperienced drivers who use ATVs have a much higher risk of injury compared to experienced drivers, which is why a training course is an effective tool in preventing ATV-related injuries. Many ATV training courses are offered free of cost. Other safety precautions that can help are as follows:
- Allow only one person at a time on an ATV
- Read the literature that accompanied your ATV to become familiar with the vehicle
- Do a thorough vehicle inspection before operating the vehicle
- Be aware of your environment at all times
- Wear the proper clothing and safety equipment while operating the vehicle
If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of an All Terrain Vehicle-related accident contact the All Terrain Vehicle Accident Lawyers at Bisnar and Chase.
Please click here to read a recent news release from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
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