ATV Accidents and How to Avoid Them

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that 14 riders were killed in All Terrain Vehicle accidents over Memorial Day Weekend alone. In addition to these tragic deaths, 2, 750 ATV riders were treated in emergency rooms for a variety of injuries. ATV accidents often involve children under the age of 12.

There are a number of precautions an ATV rider can take to decrease the risk of accident and minimize the injuries suffered if an accident is unavoidable:

• Wear a helmet – head injuries are common in ATV accidents and can be minimized or prevented by use of a helmet.

• Do not overload – if the vehicle is designed for one, the driver should never attempt to carry another person along.

• Never carry a child under six – children can be easily injured by being jostled or thrown from an ATV.

• Do not drive on a paved road – drive the vehicle only on the surface for which is has been designed.

• Buckle up – as in any vehicle, use the seatbelts provided.

The CPSC also recommends ATV owners take an off-road safely course.

The international organization Concerned Parents for ATV safety is an advocacy and information distribution group pushing for more restrictive legislation in an effort to reduce ATV injury and death among children. ATVs are heavy (800 lbs) and motorized, and yet do not require a driver’s license to operate.

The cost for treatment of ATV-related head and spinal injury is estimated to exceed $3 billion annually. ATV safety advocates believe that without further regulatory control over the sport this number is likely to increase.

If your child has been injured in an ATV accident, consult a personal injury attorney. If another driver was at fault, you can seek monetary compensation. Call the Palm Harbor Law Office of Paul B. Genet, P.A. at 727-510-8802 or contact us online.