All-terrain vehicle (ATV) operation is fun and useful for many people. It is also the cause of quite a few injuries and deaths nationwide each year. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that there are approximately 135,000 accidental injuries and 800 deaths each year caused by ATVs. Heightened risk factors in rollover accidents and other types of ATV crashes include the following:
- Failure to use a helmet
- Operation on paved roads
- Passenger riding on the back of the ATV
- ATV operation by children
- Alcohol use and ATV operation
ATV accidents are not always attributable to driver error, however. Defective ATV components have been cited in connection with a number of injuries and deaths. For example, the CPSC warns consumers about severe risks to children of the "SunL Group SL A90 Youth ATV. This youth ATV lacks front brakes, a manual fuel shut-off, padding to cover the sharp edges on the handlebar assembly, and is sold without a tire pressure gauge or adequate flag pole bracket." (Source: CPSC website). This is one example of many of product-related hazards of ATVs. Other liable parties in an ATV accident may include a property owner, a retailer or a maintenance service responsible for the upkeep of the vehicle.
Wrongful Death Law Firm in Pennsylvania · Fatal ATV Accident Attorneys
If you suffered a brain injury in an ATV accident in central Pennsylvania, recreational vehicle accident attorneys of Boyle, Autry & Murphy can advise you on how to pursue compensation for your injuries. If a loved one was killed while operating an ATV or any type of recreational vehicle, contact us to schedule a free initial consultation with a lawyer regarding a potential wrongful death case.
