All-terrain vehicles, or ATVs, are great ways to get around off-road. Also referred to as 4-wheelers, side-by-sides, Razors, quads, and other familiar phrases. These machines offer transportation, perform for work, provide enjoyment, and even thrills. Whether you need to get some equipment or gear from place to place or are just looking to have a good time outdoors, you probably never expect you will need a Kansas City ATV accident lawyer, but ATV accidents happen. Experiencing a personal injury and becoming an accident victim can be an all too familiar scene, and working with a law firm that understands ATV accident cases can be pivotal.
At Townsend Law, LLC, our knowledgeable and experienced team is ready to help if you or a loved one have been injured in an ATV crash due to another person’s negligence. We are going to investigate what happened so we can secure the compensation you need.
What We Know Can Happen
We want to give you some statistics to start this conversation because it is important to understand that ATVs, when used improperly, can cause serious injuries, as serious or more so than a typical car accident in a motor vehicle. Most of these ATVs require registration and often, insurance, the same as standard motor vehicles. Riders and motorists need to exercise caution, but we know that is not always the case. However, with 4-wheeler and ATV accidents, the possibility of a rollover occurring and accident victims experiencing injuries as severe as a motorcycle accident are far higher. The chance for serious injury, including wrongful death, can rise exponentially.
Accident victims can face tremendous personal pain and suffering, huge medical bills, lost work wages, and so much time spent dealing with insurance companies, including the concern of medical malpractice that could occur during the medical treatment required from the accident. This can irrevocably alter an accident victim’s and their loved ones’ lives, causing the need for expensive and lifelong advanced medical care.
The Consumer Protection Safety Commission keeps track of all the injury and death reports related to ATVs. We know that during the latest reporting year in the US, there were:
- 93,800 ATV injuries treated in emergency rooms
- An average of 500-600 people die each year due to ATV accidents
Over the last few decades, there have been over 15,000 people killed in ATV crash incidents. From 1982 to 2017 in Missouri, there were 439 ATV incident fatalities, according to this Consumer Product Safety Commission report, making it the 13th most deadly state in America for ATV accident deaths. These vehicle accidents can often result in a personal injury claim or wrongful death claim.
However, most ATV crashes do not result in death. Rather, they often cause serious injuries. It is not uncommon for us to see the following in the aftermath of an ATV crash:
- Spinal cord injuries (with possible paralysis)
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal organ damage/internal bleeding
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Severe lacerations or amputations
ATV crash victims often face major medical expenses. If victims cannot work while they recover, they could lose the income they need to support themselves and their families. Any company that offers ATV rentals should ensure that users are properly trained and have the safety equipment necessary.
Many ATV crashes are preventable. It is up to ATV owners and commercial operators to regularly inspect and maintain their vehicles and trails.
If an ATV was defective, you might have a product liability case against a company or manufacturer.
Let Us Help You Move Forward
The aftermath of any crash can be scary and confusing, especially when an ATV is involved. Serious medical attention results in massive medical bills and other losses, which can all be overwhelming. Seeking legal advice can be a way to find support at this time, and our law firm will provide an initial consultation at no charge. If the carelessness or negligence of another person is to blame for an injury to you or a loved one, the team at Townsend Law, LLC is ready to step in and help and offer a free case evaluation. We will review your case, get to the bottom of what happened, and work with all parties involved. One of our goals for your injury case is to secure the fair compensation you need, including:
- Your medical expenses related to the incident
- Lost income and benefits if you are unable to work
- Pain and suffering/loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Possible punitive damages against those responsible
When you need a Kansas City ATV accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 833-869-6529.