All Terrain Vehicles (ATV), 3-Wheelers (Trikes) and 4-Wheelers (Quads) Accident Injuries

All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), 4-Wheelers (Quads), or 3-Wheelers (Trikes) offer an exciting and exhilarating means of transportation and/or recreation for their riders. These off-road vehicles offer speed and maneuverability, and racing and trick competitions have become a major draw throughout the nation. These vehicles are fun and useful, but they are also dangerous. ATVs, Quads and 4-Wheelers are used for recreational riding, herding livestock, ranching, farming, racing, transportation between remote rural locations, cargo transportation, rescue efforts, and for quick and easy access to areas that are prohibitively dangerous or impossible for other vehicles to reach. These vehicles are fun and useful, but they are also dangerous.

History of ATVs

ATVs were introduced to the market in 1971 and were initially three-wheeled bikes. These vehicles were involved in so many rollovers and injuries, that the U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit alleging that ATVs and their manufacturers violated the Consumer Product Safety Act. In 1987, the ATV manufacturers agreed to stop producing three-wheeled ATVs, but did not recall the 2.4 million dangerous ones that had been already sold. Many of these extremely dangerous ATVs remain in use today. While all ATVs are dangerous, none are more inherently hazardous than the three wheeled variety, or Trikes. Potential accident victims still enjoy the thrill that accompanies the lighter weight and tighter turns a three wheeler can provide, at the cost of stability and safety. Even with proper safety standards, riding a three wheeler is a dangerous undertaking.

The addition of a fourth wheel on Quads or ATVs did not make these vehicles safe. A typical adult-size ATV can weigh in excess of 750 pounds and can travel as fast as 75 miles per hour. The ease of maneuverability of these vehicles leads people to take unnecessary risks, often times resulting in injury. Additionally, most ATV rollover injuries and deaths can be attributed to unstable design, a too high center of gravity and/or operator error. Children under the age of 16 are the most at risk for ATV accidents. Many states do not require a license or training, nor is there an age limit to operate an ATV.

Danger of ATVs, 4-Wheelers and Trikes

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), over 6,000 fatalities occurred from injuries associated with ATVs in the last two decades. Each year approximately 500 people are killed in ATV or 4-Wheeler accidents, and around 125,000 people go to the emergency room with ATV-related injuries. Tragically, the CPSC estimates that at least 30% of all the people involved in ATV, Quad or Trike accidents are children under the age of 16.

Recoverable Damages

Damages that are available to be claimed in an ATV, Quad or Trike accident lawsuit are varied and complex. These damages are intended not as a reward, but as a way to restore the victim to his or her pre-accident status. Since circumstances will vary widely, you should get specific advice from an attorney. For general information, please visit our page on potential recoverable damages.

What To Do

Being involved in an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), 4-Wheeler (Quad) or 3-Wheeler (Trike) accident or any other traumatic event can leave a victim caught up in a complex maze of legal, medical and financial issues at a time when they are least prepared to deal appropriately with those issues. Until you can speak to your attorney, we hope that the general information found on our page on what to do if you have been involved in an accident will be helpful.

Safety Tips

  1. An ATV is not a toy.
  2. Children should not be permitted to operate ATVs without specialized training; then, they should be allowed to operate an ATV of an appropriate size.
  3. Contact the ATV Safety Institute to enroll in a course.
  4. Wear appropriate riding gear: DOT/Snell ANSI-approved helmet, goggles, gloves, over-the-ankle boots, long-sleeve shirt and long pants.
  5. Read the owner's manual carefully and follow all of the manufacturer's safety recommendations and instructions.
  6. ATVs are not made for multiple riders. Never carry anyone else on the ATV.
  7. Any added attachments affect the stability, operating and braking of the ATV.
  8. Do not operate the ATV on streets, highways or paved roads.

Contact the Kane Law Firm, P.A.

A person injured in an ATV accident may be able to receive compensation for their losses, past and future, including medical costs, pain and suffering, loss of earnings, and earning capacity. Time is precious when dealing with collecting reparations for victims in ATV accidents.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of an accident on an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), 4-Wheeler (Quad), or 3-Wheeler (Trike), please call the Central Florida Automobile Accident Attorneys at the Kane Law Firm, P.A. in Orlando, Florida at (407) 898-9130, submit a contact form on our website, or email us at Info@KaneInjury.com.

We offer a free initial consultation, and if we agree to take your case, we will work on a contingency basis. This means we will get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds.