Many Kentucky residents enjoy using their ATV on their land. ATVs have exploded in popularity over the last decade. Although ATVs are fun and useful, they can also be dangerous.
There are many injuries a person can suffer while riding on an ATV. From 1982 until 2015, over 14,000 people died as the result of an ATV accident. In 2015 alone, nearly 98,000 people had to go to the emergency room because of an ATV accident. The most serious injuries included traumatic brain injuries, commonly known as “TBI.” There are also injuries involving permanent concussions, spinal cord injuries, neck fractures and chest and abdominal injuries. ATV riders can also fracture their bones. These injuries are often life-altering, requiring long-term skilled nursing care that adds up to millions of dollars in expenses. A person can also need months and even years of rehabilitation.
The most serious ATV injuries occur when an ATV flips or rolls. An ATV rider can be thrown from the vehicle or can even be pinned underneath it. Many ATVs are not designed to hold a passenger in the back, which is why there are so many injuries involving people falling off the ATV. Teenage riders tend to have the most severe injuries involving ATVs.
Driving safely should be the number one priority of those who choose to ride an ATV, but ATV manufacturers also have laws they must follow. If a person has been affected by an ATV accident they may want to speak with a legal professional skilled in personal injury. Compensation may be available for medical expenses, lost wages and other damages.
Source: injury.findlaw.com, “ATV injuries and accidents“, accessed on Jan. 21, 2018
