ATV ACCIDENTS

An ATV, or "all-terrain vehicle" can be either a buggy or a three-wheeler, generally designed to be driven outside of public roads (i.e., it is an "off-road" vehicle). It is steered not unlike a motorcycle, and is usually suited for one person, although on some ATV's there can be a passenger.

There are probably more inherent dangers involved in operating an ATV then there are in operating other vehicles. For one thing, the terrain over which the vehicle travels is often rougher than a paved street or highway. This can cause damage to someone involved in a mishap. Also, not all states have gotten handle on laws restricting the age of operators. Because the driver of an ATV is not going out on the road, it is not uncommon that minors well under the age of 15 or 16 could be driving an ATV. Also, there are some of the same safety hazards that surround motorcycles, which can be dangerous to the driver if not operated safely and responsibly.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were 767 people killed in ATV-related accidents. The following year, over 136,000 accidents related to ATV's were reported. The actual figure may be higher, assuming some ATV accidents are not reported because they don't occur on public roads.

What is also a big concern is the record of mechanical performance. In the last two years, there have been 14 different recalls of ATV's, involving many of the major manufacturers, including Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Polaris. It can be argued that even though it may not be going at comparable speeds to a car on the highway, the potential for damage navigating rough terrain on an ATV that is defective can be even greater.

If you or a loved one are involved in an ATV accident, and you feel that it was someone else's fault, you need to contact your attorney to evaluate what your rights might be.

For more information relating to ATV'S ACCIDENTS
Contact , Ronaldson & Kuchler Attorney Law Offices of Chicago, Illinois.