Many residents and visitors in Georgia enjoy the rush of cruising through miles of wild countryside in all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). ATVs can be used for off-road adventures, rugged vacations, or everyday fun.
Unfortunately, ATVs are also motor vehicles that can be extremely dangerous when they aren’t handled properly. Many new riders hop straight onto ATVs with little to no knowledge of how to operate them safely, putting everyone around them at risk.
If you were injured in a Georgia ATV accident, the attorneys of Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC can help you seek compensation for your losses. Contact us for a free initial consultation to learn more about your legal options.
Georgia ATV Accident Statistics
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently published a report of the deaths and injuries associated with accidents involving off-highway vehicles (OHVs), which includes ATVs. According to data from the state of Georgia and the United States as a whole:
- Georgia reported 30 fatalities from OHV accidents over just three years.
- Those 30 fatalities in Georgia accounted for 1.3 percent of all reported deaths from OHV incidents in the U.S. over the same period.
- Throughout the U.S., a total of 2,210 OHV incidents resulted in 2,258 deaths during the same three-year period.
- Among the reported OHV accident fatalities during that time, 1,697 were the result of ATV accidents, 445 were from recreational off-highway vehicle (ROV) accidents, and 47 were from utility terrain vehicle (UTV) accidents.
- The most common causes of fatalities in OHV accidents were OHV rollovers and collisions with other vehicles or stationary objects.
- There was 524,500 emergency department (ED) visits associated with OHV accident injuries in the U.S. over five years, an average of 104,900 ED visits per year.
- Among those who visited the ED for OHV accident injuries, approximately 15 percent were hospitalized.
- The most common types of reported injuries caused by OHV accidents included bone fractures at 28 percent and contusions or abrasions at 21 percent.
- The most frequently affected body parts in OHV accidents during that time included the arms (29 percent), the head or neck (29 percent), the legs (21 percent), and the torso (20 percent).
- Roughly 69 percent of those who received ED treatment for OHV accident injuries during that time were male and 31 percent were female.
Most Common ATV Accident Injuries
Some of today’s most powerful ATVs can weigh over a thousand pounds and reach top speeds of around 80 miles per hour. This means ATV riders who rollover, crash into other ATVs, or collide with stationary objects can sustain injuries that are just as traumatic as car accident injuries.
Common examples of ATV accident injuries in Georgia include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Facial injuries and dental trauma
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Neck and shoulder injuries, such as whiplash
- Back injuries and spinal cord injuries
- Partial or total paralysis
- Traumatic amputation and loss of limb
- Abdominal injuries and internal bleeding
- Dislocated or fractured bones
- Bruises, burns, and cuts
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Other emotional or mental injuries
- Wrongful death
Common Causes of ATV Accidents
Some of the most common causes of ATV accidents our attorneys see in the cases we handle are:
- Driver distraction – When ATV drivers are distracted by phone messages, conversations with friends, or simply the great outdoors, they are more likely to overlook dangerous obstacles and crash.
- Driving on paved surfaces – ATVs are specifically designed to be driven off-road. As a result, drivers are more likely to cause accidents when driving on paved roads due to poor handling.
- Riding double – Most ATVs are only intended to carry a single passenger. Riding double on an ATV can dangerously overload the vehicle, reducing traction and increasing the likelihood of accidents.
- Driver inexperience – Drivers with limited ATV experience are significantly more likely to be involved in accidents than more seasoned drivers.
- Lack of supervision – Younger ATV drivers are especially likely to cause accidents when allowed to ride without adult supervision.
- Recklessness – Reckless ATV drivers can cause single-vehicle or multi-vehicle ATV crashes when they attempt to perform hazardous maneuvers or stunts.
- Driving under the influence – Even a relatively small amount of alcohol or marijuana can substantially increase an ATV driver’s risk of crashing.
- Driving in unfamiliar areas – When ATV drivers operate in unfamiliar areas, they are more likely to be involved in accidents when they face unexpected obstacles or changes in terrain.
- Defective components – If an ATV develops defects due to negligent manufacturing or poor maintenance, a defective part or system can fail and contribute to a crash.
Compensation Available in Georgia ATV Accident Claims
If you were injured in a Georgia ATV accident through no fault of your own, you may be entitled to recover compensation from an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Depending on the specifics of your situation, you could receive money for:
- Medical expenses – Any medical costs you have for the treatment of accident-related injuries can be covered. This includes the costs of ambulance rides, hospital stays, doctors’ visits, physical therapy, surgeries, and prescription drugs.
- Incidental costs – You could collect compensation for any out-of-pocket costs you incur from incidental expenses, such as the costs of traveling to and from medical appointments.
- Lost wages – You may be owed the value of any reductions in your take-home pay from the time you miss at work while recovering from your ATV accident injuries.
- Future losses – If your injuries are serious, you can recover the estimated value of losses you will likely incur in the future, such as future medical costs or losses in your future earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering – Although it’s harder to value, you could be compensated for the intangible cost of the physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional suffering you endure from the accident.
Talk to Our Experienced ATV Accident Lawyers in Gwinnett County Today
At Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC, our knowledgeable attorneys are prepared to help you demand fair compensation after an ATV accident in Gwinnett County. We take your accident injuries personally, and we want to take the stress out of the legal process. Contact our team today to discuss the details of your situation with us in a free initial case review.
