ATV Accidents Still a Major Cause of Injury Warns California Injury Lawyer

Throughout the country, there are laws in place imposing safety rules on riders of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in an effort to reduce the number of accidents that occur. Injury lawyers in California, however, know ATV accidents are still a major cause of injury in the state. A lawyer in our Orange County office shares Consumer Product Safety Commission data on ATV crashes and injuries.

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ATV Accident Risks

A number of California laws are designed to require riders of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to practice safety procedures. The laws mandate that the operators of ATVs on public lands wear a helmet at all times and limit the number of riders to one unless the vehicle is expressly designed to carry a passenger. ATV owners must also register and title their all-terrain vehicles and receive a numbered place for the vehicle. The registration must be renewed annually.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation regulates ATVs, and training courses are operated statewide, explains the California injury lawyer. Drivers between the ages of 14 and 18 must have a safety certificate from one of these courses to drive on public land, or an adult with such a safety certificate must accompany them. Drivers under 14 cannot operate an ATV on public land at all unless they are with an adult with a safety certificate.

Even with these safety rules in place, ATV accidents occur every year across the country. From 1982 to 2018, there were 15,744 deaths reported in the United State due to ATV accidents. From 1982 to 2016, California had a high number of ATV deaths, with 748 fatalities.

For over 40 years, we have been helping accident victims throughout Riverside.

Preventing ATV Injuries

“Taking a California safety course, refraining from riding in crowded or public spaces, and following California laws on ATV safety are some of the most important things that riders can do to avoid a serious or fatal accident,” explained the California injury lawyer.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission also advises wearing a helmet; preventing kids under 16 from riding; limiting the number of passengers on an ATV; and avoiding riding on paved roads.

Sometimes accidents occur through no fault of the driver. Reckless motorists in passenger cars might not see ATVs that are riding on highways, for example, or an ATV may malfunction in a dangerous way. If an accident occurs on an ATV that was caused by a defect in the vehicle or by the negligence of another, the injured ATV rider could potentially take legal action to recover compensation for recovery-related expenses.

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If you would like to request one of these free resources, or to speak with an Orange County ATV injury lawyer, please call today.