When summer arrives, one of the most popular recreational activities is to have fun exploring off-road trails on ATVs. While ATVs are exciting, it is important to keep in mind that they are extremely dangerous too. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), all-terrain vehicle, or ATV, accidents cause approximately 800 deaths and 135,000 injuries each year in the United States. In 2011, ATV accidents resulted in about 327 fatalities and 107,000 injuries.
ATV Safety Tips to Prevent Accidents
Here are important tips to prevent ATV accidents and make sure that you do not suffer serious injury as a result of these fun four-wheelers.
- Choose the right ATV – ATVs come in a wide range of models and sizes, making it important to choose the right one based on your individual experience and needs. For example, if you are going to ride one with a passenger, you should pick an ATV that is built for two riders. If you ride an ATV that is built for one person, your movement can get restricted and increase the risk of a serious accident.
- Take a safety training course – If you do not have any experience riding an ATV, you should consider taking a safety training course. You will find many courses for ATVs taught by trained and experienced driving professionals. When you go for a training course, you will get a variety of benefits ranging from what the best riding conditions are to how to avoid accidents.
- Wear protective gear at all times – When you wear a helmet, it helps significantly in reducing the risk of serious injuries and death. In fact, the risk of fatal head injuries is reduced by 42% with helmet use while the risk of non-fatal head injuries is lowered by 64%. Regardless of age or riding time or distance, anyone who rides an ATV should make sure that they wear a helmet. Other important items are protective eye glasses, gloves and boots.
- Adult Supervision – According to federal ATV regulators, children under the age of 6 should not ride an ATV. Furthermore, many healthcare organizations such as the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the American Academy of Pediatrics have adopted several formal policies that condone children under the age of 16 should not operate ATVs. If they are permitted to do so, they should operate only child-sized ATVs that are safer for younger children. They should also be under adult supervision at all times while riding an ATV. Allowing children to operate ATVs can lead to liability.
- Do not speed – ATVs are fun and exciting and it can be tempting to go speeding on them. However, keep in mind that this can lead to serious accidents and injuries that have the potential to end lives.
A Law Firm that does not Fold
If you or a loved one has been injured in an ATV accident caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you should get the help of a reliable personal injury lawyer at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff of RMFW Law at 212-344-1000. Give us a call. The first consultation is free. We are only paid when you are paid. We know how to win cases. Since we only take a percentage at the end, you never really pay us anything. We only settle when you want and if we have to go court, you will know the reasons why. RMFW Law knows how to win cases. Give us a call – what is your side of the story?
