A woman recently died when the ATV that she was riding got hit by a train. A man was driving the ATV, and the woman was riding with him. The train struck the ATV while the man was trying to free the ATV’s tire from the rail because it was stuck. This horrific accident illustrates some of the dangers that associated with ATV use.
Many people use ATVs for recreation and work. ATVs are both fun and useful, and they can be safe when riders use them properly, use good judgment, and wear a helmet every single time they ride. As is the case with any vehicle, ATV accidents do happen. An ATV accident can leave the victims with serious injuries, or the accident could even be fatal. Victims of ATV crashes and the families of people who died in ATV wrecks may be able to be compensated for their injuries or losses. Filing claim for compensation after an ATV accident could help you and your family pay for medical bills, funeral expenses, and other expenses associated with the accident.
ATV accidents can result in some different types of injuries. Some newer ATVs have seatbelts, but many others do not. Because of this, ejection from the ATV is a common occurrence in ATV accidents. Ejection often causes head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, especially in situations where riders are not wearing helmets. It can even cause immediate death. ATV accident victims can also suffer facial injuries, back injuries, broken bones, neck injuries, spinal cord injuries, and paralysis, among other things. Unfortunately, fatalities are relatively common in ATV accidents.
There are many causes of ATV accidents. Some ATV accidents are caused by young or inexperienced riders. Other accidents happen when a rider is operating the ATV in an unsafe manner or riding too fast. Sometimes, ATV operators consume alcohol, which impairs their ability to operate the ATV safely. Alcohol slows a rider’s reaction time and impairs their judgment, so it is not surprising that alcohol use is a factor in many serious and fatal ATV accidents. Other causes of ATV accidents include mechanical malfunction of the ATV or parts and accidents caused by rough terrain or obstacles in the path of the ATV.
Barrett Law PLLC: Supporting Mississippi Accident Victims One Case at a Time
ATV accidents can be severe, and they are often deadly. If you were hurt or someone that you love died in an ATV accident, know that one or more parties may be responsible for your injuries or your loss. The ATV owner might be responsible for some or all of the damage or loss if they engaged in negligent conduct such as letting an inexperienced rider operate the ATV or failing to keep the ATV in good repair. The person who was operating the ATV might be fully or partially responsible for injuries and damages caused by the crash. Other potentially responsible parties are the property owner, the ATV manufacturer, and companies who manufactured parts used to repair and maintain the ATV. To learn more about how we can help you to pursue a claim for damages, please call the Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC today, at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule your free, initial consultation.