If you or someone you love has been injured in an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) accident, you may be wondering what to do next. You might be wondering if there are legal professionals that specialize in this area of the law and the short answer to that is; yes, they do.
ATVs are extremely popular accessories for people of all ages. And while they offer numerous benefits for exploring the outdoors and other recreational activities, the fact is that they can also be very dangerous. This is especially true when they are not operated properly.
As any experienced ATV accident lawyer can attest, there are several ways that a person might be involved in an accident with one of these vehicles. In today’s post, we will take a closer look at the top 5:
- An Inebriated Driver
This is a tragic truth. Drinking and driving incidents aren’t limited to street-legal vehicles on public roads. ATVs are usually used in a recreational sense, meaning drivers and passengers are out to have a good time. Unfortunately, some people take that spirit of fun too far and involve alcohol. When this happens, it often leads to disastrous results.
- Young or Inexperienced Drivers
This is another common reason for being involved in an ATV accident. Newer operators often haven’t yet learned how to handle all of the different aspects of all-terrain driving. These vehicles have different suspensions and other features, which makes their handling unique and varied.
Additionally, inexperienced drivers tend to have less confidence in certain situations, as well as less understanding of the vehicle’s overall performance and capabilities.
- Reckless Driving and/or Speeding
The flip side of inexperienced drivers is overconfident drivers. ATV enthusiasts who have been riding for years and are familiar with all types of models sometimes fail to treat their vehicles with the respect and caution they deserve. This can lead to perfectly preventable accidents with other drivers or even pedestrians.
- Broken or Malfunctioning Equipment
Something else that ATV accident lawyers often see when at the root of these accidents is faulty equipment. Either by design flaws, improper use, or poor maintenance, sometimes ATV parts simply fail or malfunction. Tire blowouts, steering problems, brake issues, engine failure, and many other incidents can cause a crash.
- Inadequate Protective Gear
Finally, while this may not be the specific cause of an accident, it can certainly make one more serious. Whenever you ride, be sure that you have all of the recommended safety accessories including gloves, goggles, and a helmet. Failure to do so could make a minor accident much more serious.
How a Quality ATV Accident Lawyer Can Help
There are so many ways one of these specialized attorneys can assist you in your situation. In addition to simply providing you with seasoned and experienced legal representation, they can thoroughly investigate the accident, negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf, as well as help determine liability, and make sure that your claims and damages get filed properly and on time.