Approximately 7 million all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are in use in the United States. An ATV is a 3- or 4-wheeled motorized vehicle that is used for anything from recreational riding on wooded trails to ranch work to powering across muddy fields. These gasoline-charged vehicles may travel at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour and weigh up to 800 pounds. Though 3-wheeled ATVs are particularly dangerous and are no longer manufactured in the United States, they still find their way into many families’ garages via the import market, the Internet and secondhand dealers.

With 16 million Americans regularly riding all-terrain vehicles, ATV accidents are on the rise. In 2006 (the most recent year for which ATV injury statistics are available) 555 deaths and nearly 147,000 injuries – many of them life-altering – were reported as a result of ATV accidents. ATV injuries are frequently caused by faulty design or manufacturing (many ATVs are narrow with high ground clearance, which makes them unstable), too much power, or too much speed. Unfortunately, many ATV riders and drivers do not receive proper training when they purchase their vehicles, which leads to increased risk. This is especially true of children operating three wheelers and four wheelers. Statistics show that ATV drivers under the age of 15 are more than twice as likely as adults to lose control of their vehicles, particularly when they are riding adult-sized machines.

When the unthinkable happens, the resulting injuries are usually severe. Most ATV injuries involve spinal and head trauma. ATV crashes, especially the all-too-common rollover in which the vehicle either turns over sideways or flips forward or backward, can end in broken bones, brain injury, hemorrhaging, skull and spinal fractures, lung injuries, paralysis, amputation and death. The severity of these injuries often leads to staggering medical bills and much pain and anguish for victims and their families.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an ATV accident, it is crucial to consult an experienced trial lawyer to protect your rights. The dedicated accident and injury lawyers of Feldman Shepherd are committed to obtaining the best possible recovery for our clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as expeditiously as possible. We are here to serve you with hard work, attention to detail and a caring approach tailored to your individual needs. Please do not hesitate to contact us today.