All terrain vehicles, or ATVs, are an increasingly popular choice for both recreational purposes, and for many practical purposes. ATVs allow riders to access many areas that are not accessible using traditional passenger vehicles, and as such, they're a popular choice for a variety of off-road uses, including recreation, search and rescue, and surveillance of areas that are difficult to reach.
Unfortunately, as the popularity of ATVs increases, so does the risk of ATV accidents, which often result in injury and death for operators, riders, and even third parties.
Many factors have contributed to the alarming increase in ATV related accidents in recent years, including:
- Rapidly increasing popularity of ATVs. As newer models are introduced and older models are sold used, prices for ATVs go down, and the number of ATVs on the market rapidly increases.
- Slow adoption of government regulation of ATVs. Government safety regulations can take some time to catch up to new technologies, and to increased adoption of existing products, so even some fundamental safety measures may not be adopted or enforced for quite some time.
- The ATV's popularity with increasingly younger riders. Many states do not impose any age restrictions for operating ATVs, and even among those that do, they are difficult to enforce.
- Increased size and power of ATVs available to the public. Many modern ATVs can reach speeds up to 55 miles per hour. These increased speeds contribute to both increased incidence and severity of ATV accidents.
Many ATV accidents are attributable to the ATV's tendency to roll over, due to its relative size, speed, and high center of gravity. And these risks tend to increase with younger riders, as younger people are less likely to have experience with motor vehicles. In fact, studies have found that drivers under the age of 15 are twice as likely to be involved in ATV accidents as drivers 15 and older.
If you or someone you care about was injured in an ATV accident as a result of someone else's negligence, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages as part of a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible parties-whether it's the operator, owner, or manufacturer of the ATV.
How to get help with your case
Your first step should be to contact an experienced personal injury attorney who has worked on cases like yours and knows the steps to take to file a successful suit.
If you're in the New York area, we can help. Our attorneys have fought and won cases just like this, and can help you assess your case and determine how best to move forward. So please call or email The Stanley Law Offices today for your free, no obligation personal consultation.
