The Dangers of ATV Rollover Accidents
All terrain vehicles or ATVs are designed to handle a variety of rough terrains like rough dirt roads.
While some use it for work, especially on farms, a lot of people actually use it for recreational purposes.
What most people do not know is that driving ATVs can be very dangerous if one is not careful. Its capability to run as fast as 55 mph with its body weighing as much as a ton provides a deadly combination especially on sharp turns.
In fact, 2006 saw more than 500 people die as a result of ATV accidents and more than 146,000 people were sent to hospitals for ATV related injuries.
The leading cause of this type of accident is ATV rollovers.
ATV rollover accidents are known to cause the following catastrophic injuries:
- Head and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Paralysis
- Amputation
ATV rollover accidents are usually caused by an inherent safety defect on the design of the vehicle.
If that is the case, you can file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer.
In a product liability lawsuit, you have to prove that the safety defect caused the ATV rollover accident that in turn caused your personal injury.
There are three types of safety defect; they are:
- Design defects – This is the most common claim against ATV rollover accidents. This refers to the error in the design that makes the vehicle dangerous. The defect is in every vehicle produced that has the defective design.
- Manufacturing defect – This refers to errors made in the manufacturing process. It does not necessarily affect the whole batch of products.
- Failure to warn – Manufacturers have the duty to warn consumers about the obvious and hidden dangers of the product.
If you have an ATV, you can follow the following tips to reduce the risk of rollover accidents:
- When buying an ATV, know your capabilities and do not buy something that you cannot handle. A novice driver should not buy a heavy ATV that runs at 70 mph.
- Make sure that you have the right safety equipment. This includes:
- Helmets are invaluable in preventing head, neck and brain injuries.
- Goggles prevents foreign objects from entering or hitting the eye, letting you focus on driving the ATV.
- Jackets provide protection from winds especially while on high speeds. It also protects from lacerations and gashes in case of crash.
- Drive only in safe conditions. Check the road and weather to gauge if you will be able to handle the ATV properly.
- Keep your ATV in good condition – Check the brakes and tires if they are functioning properly. Check oil and gas levels regularly as well.
- There should always be adult supervision when a child is driving an ATV.
If you have been injured in an ATV rollover, consult an ATV accident attorney as soon as possible to know your legal options.