ATV Accident Lawyer
Texas features many wide-open spaces. All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are a popular means of enjoying these spaces. But as with any vehicle, if an ATV is not properly handled or contains some sort of manufacturing defect, it can lead to a potentially catastrophic accident.
An ATV accident can leave victims with a host of unpaid medical bills and other expenses. So if someone else’s negligence was to blame for such accidents, it is important to hold them legally accountable. Lawyer Keith B. French represents many clients who have been injured in these types of accidents, and he can advise and counsel you if you have legal questions following a crash.
What Causes ATV and Other Off-Road Vehicle Accidents?
Accidents involving ATVs and other “off-highway vehicles” (OHVs) are more common than you might realize. According to a November 2021 report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 2,211 fatalities associated with OHVs between 2016 and 2018. This included 1,591 deaths arising from the use of ATVs. And over a five-year period spanning 2016 to 2020, the CPSC estimated there were about 527,000 emergency department-related injuries associated with off-road vehicle use.
ATV accidents occur for many reasons. Some of the more common causes involving negligence include:
- The driver lacks proper experience or training in handling an ATV.
- The driver operates an ATV on a paved road or highway, which is not designed to handle such vehicles.
- The driver attempts to perform a “trick” or “stunt” in an ATV.
- The driver operates the ATV at an unsafe speed.
- The driver operates the ATV under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- The driver carries a passenger in an ATV that is only designed for one occupant.
- The ATV itself was defective in terms of its design, construction, or maintenance.
Some of the most common injuries in ATV accidents include head, neck, and spinal cord damage. This is especially true when the occupants do not wear a helmet or other protective gear. But even in cases where an injured passenger did not have protective equipment, they may still have a claim for damages against a negligent driver or ATV manufacturer.
Contact Keith B. French Law Today
Investigating an ATV accident often takes time. But it is important not to delay as Texas has a two-year statute of limitations in personal injury cases, which usually starts to run on the day of the accident. In cases where an ATV accident leads to death, the victim’s family also has two years to file a wrongful death claim.
Of course, no amount of money can ever undo the psychological trauma of a serious ATV accident or the loss of a loved one. But the law does enable victims and their families to obtain some measure of justice by seeking both economic and non-economic damages from the negligent parties. This can include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
So if you, or someone in your family, has been injured or killed in an ATV accident, it is best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. Pearland ATV accident lawyer Keith B. French is here to help. Contact him today to schedule a free consultation.
