Rhinos and Other ATVs Can Be Extremely Dangerous

ATV’s are used for both farm work and recreation throughout Mississippi. Unfortunately, ATVs, including the Yamaha Rhino, come with a significant risk of serious injury and even death. There have been a number of serious Rhino and ATV accidents reported recently by media sources that have involved serious injuries and even death. These vehicles lack the structural protection and safety equipment that is standard on other motor vehicles. This lack of protection combined with the tendency of these vehicles to rollover makes their anticipated use on rough terrain particularly hazardous. ATVs have a high center of gravity and narrow wheelbase making it easy for them to tip when used on uneven terrain. Our experienced Rhino and ATV accident attorneys at Barrett Law represent those who suffer serious injury or wrongful death caused by these dangerous vehicles.

An ATV accident also can occur on residential streets because the vehicles do not handle particularly well. Further, the lack of protection means that when struck by a motor vehicle on a residential street the possibility of catastrophic injuries or fatalities is extremely high.

Hundreds of people die in ATV accidents each year, including more than 100 children. The numbers continue to rise as these off-road vehicles grow in popularity. Despite the tendency of ATVs to cause catastrophic and life threatening injuries, the use of safety equipment like a helmet, chest plate, and boots can help reduce the risk. Because head injuries constitute the leading cause of fatalities in ATV collisions, the decision to wear a helmet can significantly improve the survivability of a dangerous ATC crash.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) provides these ATV safety tips for ATV users:

  • Riders should take a hands-on safety course.
  • Drivers and passengers (if any) should always wear protective gear.
  • Most ATVs are designed for only one, so you should not load on an additional passengers unless the vehicle is built for multiple riders.
  • If you are under 16 years old, you should only ride a child-sized ATV.
  • Riders should avoid streets and highways when piloting ATVs.
  • Operators should never drive an ATV under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Driving safe when on an ATV is important, but sometimes you can do everything right and still be involved in a serious ATV or Rhino accident. The defective design, manufacture, or assembly of these vehicles cause many ATV and Rhino accidents. Other Rhino and ATV accidents result in injury to passengers from negligent Rhino operators or from motorists in other vehicles. If you have suffered serious injury or a loved one has suffered wrongful death in an SUV or Rhino accident, our experienced Mississippi personal injury attorneys will evaluate your situation and advise you regarding your rights to financial compensation. Our experienced team zealously pursues the best possible outcome when handling serious injury cases.

If you have been injured while riding an all-terrain vehicle, our Mississippi ATV Accident Lawyers are committed to seeking the maximum compensation for victims of dangerous vehicles. At Barrett Law, we are here to help. Contact our firm today at (601)790-1505 to schedule your free consultation, so we can answer any questions you may have regarding filing your claim.

 

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Children and ATVs Can Be a Dangerous Combination

The increased use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) has also resulted in increased ATV-related injuries and fatalities.  There are serious safety concerns involving these vehicles particularly when children operate adult-sized all-terrain vehicles as a source of recreational activities. There are size limitations imposed on children of a certain age range when it comes to the operations of all-terrain vehicles mainly due to a direct correlation between driver inexperience and risk of catastrophic injury and fatalities.  Parents should be aware that adult-sized ATVs could weigh up to 800 pounds.  It is recommended that the ATV a child operates weigh no more than 150 pounds and have a maximum speed of 15 mph as opposed to ATVs that can go up to sixty miles per hour.

There is a growing concern over ATV-related injuries involving children under 16 years of age that are operating adult-sized ATVs.  When a child is injured in an ATV rollover or another type of ATV wreck, injuries sustained can be devastating because of the difference in weight between the child and the all-terrain vehicle.  Tragically, a recent accident claimed the life of a six-year-old when he was riding on a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle.  Although the child was wearing safety equipment and was under the supervision of his parents, the vehicle tipped when the child turned.

There are many causes of ATV-related injuries and deaths.  One common cause involves defective parts that fail to perform as expected.  When purchasing any type of product, consumers expect them to operate and perform according to reasonable expectations.  When an ATV has a defective part, it poses an exceptionally high risk of causing injury because of the inherent instability of the vehicles.  Defective parts that catch on fire or tire failures and blowouts may cause ATV accidents.  Unfortunately, ATVs with defective components and parts are not always recalled in time to prevent life-threatening injuries or fatal ATV accidents.

Common serious injuries sustained in an ATV-related accident may include head or abdominal injuries, liver injuries, injuries to the spine and even death.  The financial impact of being involved in an ATV-related accident can be enormous including massive hospital bills and expenses as well as impaired present and future earning capacity.  If you or someone you love has been injured because of a defective component or part on an ATV, you may be able to obtain compensation for your injuries by filing a product liability lawsuit.

Many people injured in serious ATV accidents are also able to include a claim based on the unstable design of an ATV.  ATV lawsuits can be complicated because the insurance company for the ATV manufacturers will often claim that the rider’s unsafe operation of the vehicle caused the accident.  The manufacturer will seek to have the value of your claim reduced by the rider’s percentage of fault.  This is a defense called comparative negligence.  It is recommended that you contact an attorney immediately to gather evidence and initiate investigations immediately in order to effectively litigate your case, and maximize the compensation available to you.

The Barrett Law Firm handles serious ATV accidents throughout Mississippi and offers a free case evaluation so contact us today at (662) 834-2376.

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