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Dangers of ATV's

All Terrain Vehicles, more commonly known as ATVs, can be safe when used responsibly but pose inherent dangers in many circumstances. The Consumer Product Safety Commission states: “ATVs are the fifth deadliest product that we oversee,” resulting 700 deaths and 136,000 emergency room visits each year.

ATV Injuries and Death


ATVs are heavy machines designed to handle rough terrain. When hitting an object or driven on rough or steep areas, they can overturn or throw people from the vehicle, causing severe injuries or death. More people are driving ATVs, either legally or illegally, on paved roads and highways, which has resulted in a 10% increase in ATV highway deaths this year (2016).


Injuries that range from minor to severe can occur during ATV accidents. The most common injuries are:


  • Arms and Hands (29%)
  • Head and Neck (27%)
  • Torso (22%)
  • Legs and Feet (21%)


These injuries may require surgeries and ongoing treatment and others can result in permanent impairment.


Statistics often feel impersonal but the deaths and injuries are very real. Over the summer, a well-respected pastor and a father and his one-year-old daughter died in separate ATV accidents in our state. In mid-October a woman riding as a passenger on an ATV was also killed. While most ATV injuries and deaths occur in the summer months, in Alabama these numbers are also high during hunting season, so be careful.


Lawsuits


Despite the risk of injury and death, ATV usage remains high. When an accident occurs, two types of lawsuits might be filed:


  • Product Liability. The manufacturer is sued with claims that the faulty design of the ATV caused the accident. In 2013 an Alabama jury awarded 3.3 million dollars in damages to a woman injured in an ATV.
  • Personal Injury. The ATV driver or someone who was otherwise careless, is sued under a claim that their actions resulted in the plaintiff’s injuries or loved one’s death.


If you are injured or a loved one is killed in an ATV accident, hire a skilled attorney who understands ATV claims and can best represent your interests. The attorneys of Barfoot & Schoettker, L.L.C. are experts on ATV claims and can help you achieve the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to learn more.


All Terrain Vehicles / Injuries / Lawsuits/ Dangers

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