All terrain vehicles (ATV) have become very popular for recreation and sport. Their widespread popularity, and the fact that they are even available for rental, has given the public a false sense of security about the safety of ATVs. In reality, ATVs can be very dangerous. Some have design flaws that make them very likely to crash even under mild conditions or that make injuries far worse than they should be in the event of a crash.

Marketing

ATVs are indispensable tools for professionals whose jobs take the off road, such as search and rescue, forest service, and ranchers. Unfortunately, they are marketed as toys rather than tools, leading consumers to believe that they are safe and appropriate for inexperienced riders, children, and extreme sports. Even a properly functioning and well-built ATV must be operated by a trained and experienced rider and in a safe fashion, or it can quickly become a death trap.

Design flaws

Design flaws are a common cause of <a href=http://www.cochranfirmwisconsin.com/ATV-Accidents.html>ATV crashes</a>. The Yamaha Rhino is a good example. It has a high center of gravity and an unusually short wheelbase making prone to rollover, even at low speeds and on even ground.

Another design flaw is the failure to protect riders in the event of a crash, leading to injuries that are more severe than they would have been if the vehicle had been designed properly.

Faulty parts

Even with the best design and most experienced rider, when parts fail an accident is almost inevitable. Poor quality materials and parts that malfunction can cause ATVs to go out of control, rollover, and even catch on fire or explode. Faulty parts can include:

  • Brakes
  • Throttle
  • Steering components
  • Welds on control components
  • Transmissions

ATV accident injuries

ATV accidents can cause serious and even fatal injuries. They may look small, but they are heavy enough to crush and kill when they rollover. Too often children are the victims of these accidents. Some common ATV accident injuries include:

  • Brain injury
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Crush injuries
  • Amputations
  • Neck injury
  • Skull fractures
  • Facial fractures
  • Oral injuries
  • Paralysis
  • Death

Responsible parties

Depending on the cause of the accident there can be multiple responsible parties. If the ATV was defective the manufacturer will be a responsible party in a <a href=http://www.cochranfirmwisconsin.com/Products-Liability.html>product liability case</a>. Dealerships and rental shops can also be held responsible. One common cause of accidents is when a rental center rents out an ATV to an inexperienced or first time rider and fails to provide the proper safety manuals and warnings with the ATV.

About the Author:

Please visit The Cochran Firm Wisconsin, serving all of Wisconsin, to learn more about ATV accidents and how to pursue a personal injury claim in Wisconsin.

Related Articles