All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are popular for recreational use, as well as for work-related use on farms and ranches. When you’ve suffered injuries in an ATV accident, the first call you should make is to a reputable ATV accident lawyer to discuss your claim and find out the next steps you should take.
Unfortunately, due to the high speed and low weight of these vehicles, ATVs are associated with a high number of injuries each year, which can be devastating to victims and their families. Avrek Law Firm’s ATV injury lawyer team fight aggressively on behalf of victims to get the maximum compensation for the physical and emotional harm that follows a serious accident.
ATV Injuries Are Often Severe
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an average of 564 adults and 123 children under the age of 16 die each year in all terrain vehicle accident scenarios. With a high center of gravity and a narrow wheelbase, ATVs are at increased risk of a rollover accident, which is compounded by the use of these vehicles on uneven natural surfaces, including mud and hills. Weighing up to a quarter of a ton and able to reach top speeds more than 100 miles per hour, ATVs can cause serious harm when in an accident. Common ATV rider and passenger injuries include:
- Skull fractures
- Traumatic brain injury
- Traumatic spinal cord injury
- Lung injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal organ injury
- Amputation
The popularity of ATVs in all age groups accelerates the risks and likelihood of four wheeling accidents. Groups most at risk for being involved in and enduring injuries from an ATV accident include:
- Children – People under the age of 16 only account for 15% of ATV riders, but they account for 27% of ATV injuries and 28% ATV deaths.
- Young adults – While children are proportionally more likely to be involved in a serious ATV accident, the age groups with the highest-reported injury rate are 16-24-year-olds and 25-34-year-olds.
- 50+ years old – An increasing number of ATV injuries occur to persons older than age 50; thoracic injuries are prevalent among this age group.
- Drivers – Eight of 10 ATV injuries occur to the driver (versus a passenger).
- Impaired Drivers – According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 39% of ATV operators involved in fatal crashes were legally alcohol- impaired with BACs of .08 g/dL or higher, compared to 28% for motorcycle operators, 23% for passenger car drivers and 22% for light-truck drivers.
Speak with an Experienced ATV Accident Attorney
ATVs are dangerous when not handled safely and correctly. If another driver’s carelessness or recklessness caused you injury, it is your right to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other damages.
Avrek Law Firm’s ATV accident lawyer team has represented catastrophic injury victims for more than 50 years and obtained hundreds of millions in settlements and judgments since 1998. So, if you need the expertise of an Irvine ATV accident attorney, a Sacramento ATV accident attorney, or an ATV law expert in any other part of California, call Avrek Law Firm today or fill out our online form for a free consultation on your case!