Miami ATV Accident Attorney
Todays’ All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are powerful machines capable of high speeds and traveling long distances over rugged land. They climb rocks, cut through shallow water, and speed along tough terrain. While there have undoubtedly been great advancements in ATV capabilities, safety has lagged behind. Lawyers at Viñas & DeLuca have handled multiple accidents involving ATVs and other recreational vehicles. We have witnessed the catastrophic and life-alternating injuries that can result from ATV use, including injuries caused by manufacturing errors, design defects, single-vehicle accidents, and collisions. Personal injury and wrongful death cases involving ATVs typically involve catastrophic injuries and deserve to be handled by experienced attorneys with care and expertise.
ATV Injury Statistics
Lack of ATV safety features, as well as design flaws, continue to result in catastrophic injury and loss of life each year. Surprisingly, the majority of ATV fatalities between 2010 and 2013 (32%) occurred on paved surfaces, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The U.S. CPSC reports the following:
⦁ There are roughly 650 deaths and 100,000 injuries every year involving ATVs.
⦁ 596 Floridians died on ATVs over the last 32 years.
⦁ Over 500 kids died on ATVs between 2008 and 2013.
⦁ More ATV deaths occurred in Florida between 2008 and 2013 than in 48 other states.
⦁ More than 100,000 people were injured on ATVs during 2016. 26% of those injuries involved children under 16.
Causes of ATV Injuries and Death
“ATVs are not toys! They are powerful and potentially dangerous vehicles” – U.S. CPSC. This is worth remembering every time you get on an ATV.
ATVs are heavy vehicles, difficult to control, and frequently driven on uneven surfaces. They can also be ridden near other vehicles, as in the case of “street legal” ATVs, where vehicle collisions can result in catastrophic injury. ATVs lack many of the life-saving safety features found in cars and passenger vehicles. During an accident, passengers can be easily thrown from ATVs, struck by other vehicles, or crushed and trapped beneath overturned ATVs.
Because ATVs are considered “recreational vehicles,” riders are sometimes unclear as to what constitutes a permissible use. For example, riders can drive ATVs where they are not designed to travel, transport too many passengers on ATVs, or operate ATVs without sufficient instruction, experience, or training.
How to Avoid Injuries on ATVs
Here are some tips for safely riding ATVs in Florida:
⦁ Know Your Terrain
⦁ Always Remain Vigilant
⦁ Always Wear Your Safety Belt
⦁ Always Wear a Helmet and Protective Gear
⦁ Properly Maintain Tires, Brakes, and Equipment
⦁ Never Overload Passengers
⦁ Never Ride in the Cargo Bed
⦁ Never Permit Children Under 16 to Operate Adult ATVs
Our Florida Office Locations
Viñas & DeLuca is headquartered in Miami, Florida and has offices available for consultation in Miami, Boca Raton/Palm Beach, and Tampa. We have handled cases in multiple state and federal jurisdictions throughout Florida. Click here for more information.
Contact a Miami ATV Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one were injured in a Florida vehicle accident, contact Viñas & DeLuca for a free and confidential consultation by calling (305) 372-3650. Or, you can complete our Free Case Evaluation Form or easily chat with us online and one of our attorneys will contact you right away. We are here 24/7/365 to speak with you and answer your questions. If you cannot come to us, we will come to you.