ATV Accident Lawyers - All Terrain Vehicle Claims
Our ATV accident lawyers offer expertise that is second to none in Canada. If one of our personal injury lawyers represents you in your compensation claim you may rest assured that your case will be dealt with in an efficient, business like manner. If you would like to talk to a specialized lawyer about an ATV accident, just make contact and an ATV accident lawyer who deals exclusively in personal injury compensation claims will give you free advice with no further obligation.
All Terrain Vehicles - Recreation and Transportation
ATVs or All-Terrain Vehicles are a fast growing type of recreation that Canadians in every province and territory enjoy. These machine-powered vehicles are normally an off-road vehicle with three or four wheels, planned for just one rider without passengers, but are a means of transportation and often used for work-related operations, like farming, logging, or construction in desolate areas. (Several tandem ATVs are being made that allow bigger workloads and more passengers.) However, these machines are being used and often misused by youth under 16 years old, which can be particularly dangerous.
ATV Safe Riding
Subsequent to the 1995, the total numbers of ATV operators reporting to hospitalised in emergency centres, or killed have climbed every year. This is due in large part to the availability of these machines to unsupervised youths. In fact, more than 500 Canadians are killed every year in ATV accidents; the majority of those are youths.
Using these motorized vehicles on rugged terrain calls for more motor skills and strength than many youths have at such an early stage in their development. Despite manufacturer warnings, public service announcements and the advice of the Canadian Paediatric Society, safety equipment such as helmets, eye goggles, and other equipment require for safe operations are rarely used and riders quite often allow passengers on vehicles intended for just the driver.
ATV Availability
Estimates conclude 33 percent of Canadian families currently own ATVs and approximately 75 percent have access through family members and friends.
ATVs range from 50cc to 1000cc and can reach a speed in excess 130 km/h or 80 mph. The vast majority of safety experts believe ATVs to be more hazardous than dirt-bikes, particularly to passengers. This is mostly due to an alarming number of blunt head trauma deaths, paralysis, and death caused in large numbers by roll-overs and flipped vehicles.
Canadian Paediatric Society
Although the Canadian Paediatric Society’s Position Statement entitled Preventing injuries from all-terrain vehicles, recommends the following safety measures, Provincial and Territorial legislation varies widely:
- Youths less than 16 years old should never operate ATVs, even with supervision
- Protective clothing, eye protection, and approved helmets should be worn at all times during operations
- ATVs intended for a single operator should not allow passengers
- Operating an ATV under the influence of while impaired by non-prescription or prescription and alcohol is illegal, just like driving a car
- Approved safety courses should be completed by all operators
The Canadian Paediatric Society does not support children under the age of 16 operating what are referred to by manufacturers as “age-specific” ATV model, as the evidence available indicates a total reduction of only 18% of injuries.
ATV Accident Lawyers
Were you or a family member involved in a serious accident due to the reckless driving of an ATV? Did a well-meaning neighbor or friend take one of your children as a passenger on an ATV with an unexpected tragic outcome? Did those injuries result in hospitalization, permanent physical impairment, or death? It is not our intent to lay blame, but accidents happen and unfortunately someone has to pay for lost income, pain and suffering, long-term care and other expenses associated with negligent behaviour when it leads to hospitalization, permanent disability or death.
Our ATV accident lawyers are experienced in dealing with stubborn insurance companies that may be unwilling to pay adequate compensation. Since nearly 90 percent of all claims for personal injury are resolved through negotiation out of court, you need a team of lawyers with experience in both areas.
Our personal injury lawyers handle claims by accepting a percentage of the total compensation as thier legal fee. By doing this, we can handle your claim more efficiently without you paying upfront fees and court costs. Our initial consultation is free of charge. At that time we gather the facts in the case and determine the likelihood of success for your claim and give you an approximate value of the claim. Of course, there are always variables, but we will inform you of the “thresholds” required for maximum pain and suffering compensation.
Give us a call today for a no obligation consultation about your possible claim.
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