Accidents are not just painful, they can change a person’s life forever, shattering their dreams and leaving lasting scars. People die from avoidable accidents or sustain life-impairing injuries. Thus, it is to your disadvantage to regard any mishap as a “minor accident.”
“Knowing the steps to take after sustaining harm in an accident can help you. Defendants may want to take advantage of ignorant victims to evade justice. Hence, it is important to surround yourself with those who can help you during troubling times,” says personal injury attorney Daniel Libbey of Libbey Law Offices, LLC.
This article focuses on all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) injuries and accidents:
What ATVs Entail
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are minor, motorized vehicles aimed for one or two riders. People often use them for recreational reasons. However, farmers, laborers, and some others use ATVs to access remote locations where they work.
ATVs injure thousands of Americans annually. Emergency rooms are filled with people who sustain injuries from these vehicles.
You may assume ATVs are ideal for all terrains from their name, but this is far from the truth. They do not drive well on some terrains.
The manufacturers made the first version of these vehicles with three wheels. However, the authorities deemed them unstable, leading to their ban. Hence, the manufacturers had to redesign them, so ATVs are now on four low-pressure tires.
The new version can travel on rocks, mud, and other difficult terrains. Despite their ruggedness, controlling ATVs on paved surfaces is challenging. Hence, several states have outlawed driving ATVs on paved roads.
The Dangers of ATVs
All-terrain vehicle riders straddle a seat that is on the engine like motorcyclists. It often creates a unique feeling of off-road fun and liberty. However, you should not be blind to the severe risks it poses to you.
An ATV can easily overturn when driven on a paved surface or at a high speed. If a car overturns in an accident, seatbelts and a reinforced roof protect the driver and passengers. However, ATV drivers do not have these protective layers, opening them to more hazards.
Data from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) show that an average of 700 people died annually in ATV accidents between 2016 and 2018. Statistics from the Commission also reveal that over 500,000 Americans suffered devastating injuries from ATV crashes from 2015 to 2020.
Head injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and neck injuries were the most typical among victims. Others include abrasions, chest injuries, broken arms and legs, abdominal pain, burns, bruises, and dislocations.
An Insight into TBIs from ATV Accidents
ATV accident victims usually suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). This is one of the most severe injuries from ATV accidents.
A TBI happens when you experience a blow to your head after an accident. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says consciousness does not solely measure the severity of an individual’s head injury. In other words, a TBI victim can be conscious or unconscious after the incident.
Those with a mild TBI may experience confusion, memory issues, sleepiness, mood swings, blurred vision, dizziness, ringing in the ears, and headache. Slurred speech, seizures, lack of coordination, difficulty waking up after sleep, enlarged pupils, and vomiting are the symptoms of a moderate or severe TBI.
You may not experience the symptoms of a TBI immediately after an accident; it can take several hours or a few days to manifest. That is why you should not hesitate to seek medical intervention if you are involved in an ATV mishap. Assuming you are well may be detrimental to you in the long run.
Treating and Caring for TBIs
You must proactively deal with the symptoms of a TBI before they get out of hand. There is no gainsaying that TBI treatment and care are expensive, but you must prioritize your health in all circumstances.
A CT scan and a physical examination may expose a mild TBI, such as a concussion or seizure. You need enough rest and restraint from some activities to recover from a mild traumatic brain injury. However, if it is a severe one, you may undergo emergency surgery to cleanse blood clots or amend the fractured skull, physical assessment, and brain scans.
Strategies to Stay Safe from ATV Accidents
According to the CPSC, ATV drivers can stay safe by avoiding paved roads. You should also avoid over-loading and wear proper protective gear anytime you are driving. Adhere to every local and state ATV law and undergo a safety training session.
Furthermore, do not allow your child who is under 16 to operate your ATV. According to national statistics, 90 percent of underage ATV injuries occur because the victims are not physically mature enough to control adult ATVs.
If you want your underage child to operate an ATV, buy the one appropriate for their age. However, if the child is not at least six years old, they should not ride any all-terrain vehicle.
Exploring the Legal Options
If you sustain an ATV injury due to someone else’s negligence, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against them. The at-fault party should compensate you for your injuries and damages. Specifically, you can recover monetary compensation for pain and suffering, lost earnings, property damage, and medical expenses.
In addition, you can sue the ATV manufacturer or distributor for product liability if the accident is due to a defective part or design of the vehicle. It shows the manufacturer did not act with care and exposed you to danger.
However, these lawsuits can only succeed with evidence. You must have sufficient proof to back up your assertion. The burden of proof is on you. Hence, do not expect the court to understand your stance.
Final Words
Courts deal with evidence and not emotions. If you think someone has negligently injured you through an ATV accident, speak with a local personal injury attorney to consider your options. The attorney will analyze your case to know if it has merits.
Then, they will help you collect evidence and arrange it in a way that will convict the defendant. While working with an attorney does not guarantee any definite outcome, it increases your chances of winning the case. They will prioritize your interests in all negotiations and arguments.
Media Information:
Libbey Law Offices, LLC
604 W 2nd Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, United States
+1 866-515-6220
