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Used for both recreational and rescue purposes,
All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) provide easy access to
off-road areas. However, thousands of injuries and
fatalities have been reported from their use. Of
particular concern is the fact that over a quarter of
the people involved in ATV accidents are children.
ATVs are defined as three or four-wheeled motorized
vehicles primarily used for off-road riding. The first
ATVs were manufactured with only three wheels and with
very few safety standards. However, there were so many
accidents and injuries that the federal Justice
Department filed a lawsuit claiming that such ATVs
violated the Consumer Product Safety Act. This led
manufacturers to replace the three-wheeled models that
were prone to rollovers with more stable four-wheeled
ones. In spite of this, some deaths and injuries still
occur. Furthermore, the dangerous three-wheeled models
were not recalled and are still being used.
There are many different causes for ATV accidents,
including:
- Driver inexperience
- Improper positioning
- No protective gear
- Operating an ATV under the influence of drugs or
alcohol
- Too many riders
- Unsafe speed
- Manufacturing defects (mistakes in the manufacturing
or design process that cause injuries, which may result
in the ATV model being recalled).
In some states, there are neither license nor training
requirements nor an age limit for operating an ATV. In
the state of Missouri:
- All riders under 18 must wear a helmet
- All ATVs must be titled and registered, and no one
under 16 may do so
- No one under 16 may operate an ATV except on a
parent's land or when accompanied by a parent
- ATVs are not allowed on highways, except for
agricultural or industrial purposes
- An operator may not carry a passenger except for
agricultural purposes and except on ATVs that are
designed to carry more than one person
ATVs should be used properly and by riders wearing
protective clothing. Most importantly, the different
sizes of engines and frames should be taken into account
when determining the appropriate model for the user’s
size and age. Children should be supervised both as
riders and as bystanders.
If someone you love has been injured in an ATV
accident that was due to someone's negligence or to a
manufacturing defect, you may be able to recover
damages. Contact the personal injury attorneys of
Peterson & Associates to find out whether you can
receive compensation for such costs as medical bills,
vehicle repairs, pain and suffering, and loss of
earnings. Please contact one of our attorneys
immediately for a free consultation at 816-LAW-FIRM or
click here to fill out an online form.
For more information:
Personal Injury FAQs
Personal
Injury Legal Glossary
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