Charlotte ATV Accident Lawyer
The attorneys at Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers have over 20 years’ experience handling ATV and All-terrain accident claims. We understand the physical, financial and emotional damage that a victim and their family can suffer following an ATV injury. If you or a loved one was involved in an ATV wreck, call our office for a free consultation to learn your rights under NC law.
What is an ATV?
An All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), also known as a “quad” or a “four wheeler,” is a vehicle that is designed to handle tough outdoor terrains and contains low-pressure tires, a seat, and handlebars. Some ATVs contain more than one seat, and are called “tandem ATVs,” which are very often easier to flip because they are more top-heavy. All-in-all, ATVs are a dirt bike’s hefty cousin who is slower on his feet, but has more traction and stability.
Common causes of ATV accidents
Driving an ATV is very different from driving a car; the driver has to use his or her weight to avoid flipping and skidding and ATVs are oftentimes much harder to turn. Even without drugs or alcohol use involved, ATVs can be very challenging to drive for inexperienced drivers. Below a few common causes of ATV accidents are listed:
- Lack of Experience
- Passengers falling off the ATV
- ATV collisions with cars
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Reckless Driving
- ATV mechanical failure
People ride through trails, over rocks, mud, shallow water, drive in circles making wheelies, going over jumps, making sharp turns, and in the X-Games, even doing full on flips in their ATVs. While these activities all sound exhilarating and fun, they are quite dangerous at the recreational level, especially when inexperienced drivers take to the handlebars.
Risk Factors
Data on ATVsafety.gov shows that children and teens are the inclined towards being involved in an ATV accident. Approximately 20% of all ATV related deaths and 30% of all ATV related injuries involve children and young teens under the age of 16.
Although in some states there are complicated laws on age restrictions and licenses for driving ATVs, it is important that you take special care of monitoring younger and inexperienced drivers and teach them safe driving techniques.
In North Carolina, it is illegal to let a child under the age of 8 to operate an ATV. Children between 12 and 8 can operate ATVs of less than 70cc, and children between 12 and 16 can operate ATVs of 90cc or less. Children under the age of 16 are required to be supervised by an adult. If you happen to be a supervising adult, take care to make sure that children are as safe as possible and don’t make and foolishly sharp turns and focus on the terrain.
Talk to a Lawyer about your ATV accident
If you or a loved one was injured or killed in an ATV accident, it is important that you contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. If you call Auger & Auger, you will speak to an attorney, not a paralegal or legal assistant. We will discuss your case with you, tell you what we will do for your case and how we can help you, for free.
