ATV Accident Attorneys in Marietta and Atlanta, Georgia
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) have become tremendously popular. Many people use this for recreational and entertainment purposes but many people in Georgia also use them on farms and ranches in the country. But when these machines are used improperly they can lead to serious personal injuries and death. In fact, in the state of Georgia, there have been 417 reported deaths from ATV accidents between the years of 1982 and 2015.
According to Georgia Code: Low Speed Vehicles, ATV vehicle is defined as “…any motorized vehicle designed for off-road use which is equipped with four low-pressure tires, a seat designed to be straddled by the operator, and handlebars for steering.”
Common Causes of ATV Accidents
Injuries from ATV accidents most frequently occur to passengers who were involved in an accident due to the driver’s negligence. However, drivers are susceptible to injury as well from ATV collisions from other ATV drivers.
Negligence can sometimes include:
- inability to handle the condition of the terrain
- inability to handle the ATV in weather conditions
- operating the ATV on busy roads
- operating the ATV at a higher operating speed than recommended
- driving under the influence
- distracted driving
- age and experience of the driver
The legal age limit for operating an ATV varies from state to state and currently, in Georgia, there is no legal age limit for operating an ATV. A recent study showed that children under the age of 15 are more likely to suffer an injury from an ATV accident by overturning or losing control of the ATV. Some states require that all operators of an ATV be trained, yet in Georgia, this is not required. This makes it proving negligence difficult but not impossible.
Another cause of ATV accidents is faulty or defective machinery. In 2015, there were over 13,000 ATVs recalled due to various product defects including spontaneous combustion. If you suffered an injury from an ATV due to an issue with the product itself, you might be entitled to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
Common Injuries From ATV Accidents
Typical injuries sustained from an ATV accident include:
- Broken Bones
- Head Injuries
- Back and Neck Injuries
- Lacerations
- Spinal Cord Injuries such as loss of movement, paralysis, or fractured or dislocated vertebrae
- Brain Injuries ranging from something mild like a bump on the head to something more severe like a concussion or coma
- Wrongful Death
Contact ATV Accident Attorney Randall F. Rogers
If you have been injured in an ATV accident, you might be entitled to compensation. Randy Rogers has had much experience handling ATV accident cases. Our dedicated team of attorneys will thoroughly investigate your accident to learn what happened and to identify all applicable insurance coverage. We will for fair compensation for your lost wages from the inability to work, past and future medical bills involved with your injury as well as recovering damages for your property, pain and suffering and other expenses and losses associated with your accident. Call our office today at (770) 590-0300 to schedule an appointment for a FREE consultation so we can get you the justice that you deserve.