All-terrain vehicles, commonly known as ATVs, hit the consumer market in the 1970s. From the time of their introduction into the consumer market there have been safety concerns. Initially most ATVs had 3 wheels. In 1987 production of 3-wheeled ATVs ceased due to safety concerns. However, the 3-wheeled vehicles already sold where not recalled. Furthermore, many safety problems remained even with the 4-wheeled models. In 2009 alone, there were approximately 100,000 injuries and 300 fatalities as a result of ATV accidents. Such injuries include paralysis, head injuries, broken bones and back injuries. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there have been 9,600 ATV related deaths over the past 30 years. While there are many possible causes of ATV accidents, many such accidents are caused by negligence. If you are in need of a personal injury lawyer because you or a loved were injured in an ATV accident due to the negligence of another person, it is important to immediately contact a Queens ATV accident lawyer who will explain your options for pursuing a personal injury claim or wrongful death claim.
Negligent Use of ATVsAll terrain vehicles are motorized vehicles that typically have four large tires, with a seat in the middle that a rider straddles while steering by the handlebars. They are meant to be used off-road or on dirt roads, not on paved roads or highways. Because of the increasing popularity of ATVs as recreational vehicles, in recent years manufacturers have designed faster, stronger, and heavier ATVs, capable of causing severe damage. In addition, they are often operated by inexperienced people, including children under the age of 10.
Negligent use of ATVs is common. As an experienced Queens ATV accident lawyer can explain, generally, ATVs are only permitted to be operated on the private property of the ATV owner. N.Y. VAT. LAW § 2403 Thus, except under very strict circumstances ATVs cannot be operated on highways, public land, or another's private property. If someone drives an ATV on the highway and causes an accident the ATV driver would likely be ticketed and presumed responsible for the accident. Many ATV accidents are caused because the driver was speeding. While there is no specific speed limit for ATVs operating on private property, the law requires that the operator drive at a prudent, reasonable speed. N.Y. VAT. LAW § 2404. If a driver operates an ATV at a speed that is not safe for the terrain conditions resulting in an accident, then the ATV driver's negligence caused the accident. Unfortunately, because most ATV operators do not wear helmets, injuries from ATV accidents can be serious including head injury and spinal cord injury. If you were injured, contact an experienced ATV accident lawyer in Queens.
ATV Accident InjuriesATV accidents can result in serious physical injuries that include: back injury, brain injury, burn injury, broken collar bone, amputation and spinal cord injury. Of the serious personal injuries caused as a result of ATV accidents, statistics have shown that approximately 75% cause severe damage to the head, neck and spine, often resulting in long term disability or paralysis.
Contact Stephen Bilkis & AssociatesIf you were injured in an ATV accident, speak to our legal team as soon as possible. The ATV accident lawyers serving Queens at Stephen Bilkis & Associates are experienced in handling personal injury cases stemming from vehicle accidents and understand the medical issues associated with severe injuries. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We serve those injured in accidents in the following locations: Queens, Westchester County, Suffolk County, Staten Island, Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, and Nassau County.