Many people love the freedom of riding on an ATV, also known as “quads.” That is because they give you a sense of freedom. Most people use them for recreational purposes, but many people also use them for work, hauling heavy objects across properties.
But what happens with someone else’s negligence causes you or a loved one harm in an ATV accident?
If you need a Washington County ATV accident attorney, turn to the experienced professionals at the SMA Law Group. They will work to ensure that you get compensation for all of your accident related expenses.
What Can Happen?
Each year, there are around 650 deaths and 100,000 injuries across the country involving ATV accidents. Most of those accidents and injuries happen to adults, though dozens of children lose their lives each year in ATV accidents. ATV accidents can cause severe injuries because riders usually have little to no protection from an impact. These injuries can include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and facial injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Fracture or dislocated bones
- Paralysis
- And more
Each of these injuries requires immediate medical care. Often, an ATV accident victim needs long periods of rehabilitation to recover after an accident. They can even suffer long-term disabilities.
Owner Negligence
If you have been injured on someone else’s ATV, whether someone’s personal one or one owned by a company, you may need to file a claim against that person or entity.
Did they properly maintain the ATV?
Were your properly warned of the dangers?
Did they train you to operate the vehicle?
All of these questions and more will be asked in an ATV accident case.
Trail Problems
If you were on an ATV trail that is owned and operated by someone else and the trail was not well-maintained, they could be held liable. If there were large holes, drop-offs, or other problems with the trail that could cause an ATV crash, they should have been taken care of before anyone was allowed to ride.
No company or individual should ever allow an ATV to be ridden on paved surface, as these vehicles have tires that are made for off-road riding. Most ATV accidents occur on paved surfaces.
Product Faults
There are thousands of parts that go into making an ATV. If any of them malfunctions due to a manufacturing error, then the ATV company or third-party could be held liable for damages and injuries. Defective ATVs are a major problem.
