Recently, a teenage Mississippi boy was killed in an ATV accident. The Hancock County Sheriff’s office reported that the accident happened shortly after 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 22.  The teen apparently ran a stop sign while driving his all-terrain vehicle and was hit by a truck.  The accident occurred at Hancock Drive and East Pike Street West in Waveland.  The Chief Deputy stated that the accident was still under investigation and the driver of the truck did stop.

Each year, about 700 individuals will die in accidents related to all-terrain vehicles or ATVs.  Mississippi is home to a number of such crashes, and teens are among the most common of all victims.

ATVs are popular among both adults and teens.  The vehicles are generally used for sport but can also be used to haul heavy objects.  While ATV riding can be fun and exciting, these heavy vehicles also lead to accidents and serious injuries.  It is estimated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission that over 100,000 ATV accidents across the U.S. require emergency room treatment each year.  About a quarter of these trips involve children and teens under the age of 16.

ATV accidents often result from collisions with other vehicles, as in the Waveland accident reported, or the victim being thrown off the ATV.  Some of the most common injuries to result from ATV accidents include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Head injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Facial injuries
  • Amputation
  • Neck injuries
  • Spinal cord damage
  • Paralysis
  • Death

Individuals injured in ATV accidents may have the right to recovery for their damages incurred as a result of the accident.  The first step to determining whether an ATV accident victim can recover will be assessing who was responsible for the accident.  For instance, if you were riding an ATV on a trial that had a dangerous slant and you became injured due to this slant, the owner of the trail might be responsible for your injuries and could be held responsible in a personal injury lawsuit.  If, on the other hand, you were hit by a car while driving your ATV, an attorney would examine the potential negligence of the driver of the car.  If you are a passenger injured in an ATV accident, the at-fault ATV operator may be held responsible for your injuries.  Finally, for accidents caused by a defective component or a defectively designed ATV, the ATV manufacturer may be liable for your injuries.

Every ATV accident is unique and accident victims will require the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney who will assess the crash and uncover your potential avenues for recovery.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys Assisting in ATV and Other Accidents Across the State    

ATVs hold the potential to cause serious injury or death to operators and passengers.  All ATVs should be operated with parental supervision along with appropriate caution and must be maintained regularly.  If you or a loved one is injured in an ATV accident, the Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC are here to help.  Our attorneys understand the many factors that can cause an ATV accident, include manufacturer defects or negligent property owners.  Our skilled attorneys will fight zealously for your full recovery following an ATV or other accident.  Call the renowned personal injury attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule your free consultation.