ATV Accident Attorney

John T. Flood is a lawyer in Corpus Christi, TX who focuses on ATV accidents. Call (361) 654-8877 today to get compensation for your ATV accident injury. 

Because of their high-powered design, ATVs can inflict catastrophic injuries if involved in a crash. According to data reported by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), ATV accidents caused an estimated 93,800 serious injuries in 2017, 26% of which were suffered by children under age 16.

Causes of ATV Accidents

ATVs are often mistakenly viewed as toys rather than the high-powered off-road vehicles they are. While they can provide entertainment, they also have the potential to inflict catastrophic injuries when mishandled. ATV accidents occur due to various preventable reasons, and tragically disproportionately affect children under 16 in serious accidents.

Terrain

The name “all-terrain vehicle” can be misleading, as an ATV and its tires are specifically designed for off-roading purposes. Drivers assume that because an ATV can handle rocky terrain and climb hills that it can also successfully maneuver on paved roads. Drivers who attempt to ride ATVs on pavement are more likely to lose control, resulting in serious accidents including overturning and rolling over. The CPSC reported one-third or 32% of ATV fatalities over a four-year period occurred on paved roads. Additionally, it is illegal in Texas to operate an ATV on a paved roadway.

Defective Parts

Defective parts and faulty design can severely impact the functioning of an ATV and can seriously injure even the safest driver. Defects can occur during the design and manufacturing phases and can include various parts of an ATV, such as:

• Defective throttles
• Defective tires
• Defective clutch or shifter
• Faulty gas tank connections

Occupancy

Not all ATVs are designed to carry multiple riders. Limiting ATV occupancy is crucial for the safety of all riders. Only ATVs designed for multiple riders should be used to carry several passengers. Overloading an ATV can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle as well as eject passengers that are not in a designated seat.

Common Injuries

• Broken bones or fractures
• Deep cuts or lacerations
• Road rash
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries

Injuries associated with ATV accidents have the potential to alter a person’s life forever. ATV drivers should always wear protective gear such as helmets when riding, as well as comply with safety laws and guidelines that govern ATV use.

Corpus Christi ATV Accident Attorneys

A fun day out riding ATVs can quickly turn tragic if an ATV malfunctions or a driver puts the lives of those around them at risk. When this occurs, victims of ATV accidents can be hurt and even killed. If you or a loved one was involved in an ATV accident, contact experienced attorney John Flood to advocate for your rights. Were you injured in an ATV accident? Call Corpus Christi attorney John Flood at (361) 654-8877 today for a free initial case evaluation. There is a limited time to act in Texas, so contact us today.

Frequently Asked Questions About ATV Accidents

Does insurance cover ATV accidents?

All-terrain vehicles or ATVs are generally not covered by auto insurance policies like a car is. If an ATV driver is at fault for an accident or the ATV owner negligently entrusted it to the driver, the injured party will need to find out if another type of insurance is available to cover their damages. Homeowner’s insurance is often the type of insurance available to cover ATV accidents. Owners can also purchase ATV insurance policies separately from their auto insurance coverage.

How common are ATV accidents?

The most recent statistics show 2,210 ATV accidents occurred during the three-year period from 2015 through 2017; however, the number of injuries is much higher. Over 80,000 ATV-related injuries were treated in emergency rooms in 2018 alone. Even worse, between 1982 and 2018, at least 15,744 ATV-related fatalities occurred. And, a recent study found that over the past 25 years, each day an average of 31 children were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for ATV-related head and neck injuries.

Why are ATVs so dangerous?

ATVs are so dangerous because of the lack of protection provided by the vehicle, leaving virtually no barrier between the rider and passengers and the terrain they are traversing. Some believe this is because of the instability of the vehicles and the weight of the vehicles as they roll over on top of riders. People are far more likely to die after ATV accidents than after motorcycle accidents. There are between 800 and 900 deaths due to ATV accidents each year, according to ATVSafety.gov.

Where do most ATV accidents occur?

Since ATV accidents occur commonly on rural land or in wide open spaces, it is no surprise that Texas has the highest recorded number of ATV deaths in the country. Between 1985 and 2009, over 60% of ATV fatalities resulted from roadway crashes, as those were more likely to cause multiple deaths per incident because those driving off-road vehicles on the road are already engaging in dangerous behavior that is likely to be coupled with other risk-taking behaviors like not wearing a helmet and using drugs or alcohol while driving.

What should you do if you’re in an ATV accident?

If you’re involved in an ATV accident, you should:

• Call emergency services to reach an ambulance and the police
• Move the ATV to a safe location away from traffic if possible
• If you are able to, collect contact information for witnesses and take pictures of the crash
• Seek medical assistance
• Contact any applicable insurance company
• Contact a personal injury lawyer for a free consultation about our ATV accident