Riding an ATV is increasing day-by-day in Canada as it involves great fun and exhilaration. But it has proven to be much more dangerous as the report suggests that in Canada, more than 100 people are found dead in a year in relation to the ATV accidents. The non-fatal accidents even result in disastrous situations and may be even life-changing at times.
As per the Off-Road Vehicles Act, three and four wheel vehicles that have handlebars and a straddle constitutes an ATV. Most of these vehicles are meant for entertainment purposes, whereas others are used for agricultural and construction as well.
It does not matter what purpose the drivers have while riding an ATV, but the drivers have to follow the norms that includes wearing an approved helmet, carry a valid insurance, follow the speed limits, refrain from consumption of alcohol while driving, obey passenger limits, and use proper lights in low-visibility conditions.
There are drivers who do not follow the regulations and get involved in an accident resulting in severe injuries or mortality.
The main causes that result in an ATV accident in Canada are:
1. Speedy driving
Speed plays a major role in the ATV accidents. It is recommended to drive at a max 20km/h where there is a speed limit of 50km/h and at a max 50km/h, where there is speed limit of 50+km/h.
2. Riding with more passengers
The ATVs are designed to be driven by a single rider or carry along a passenger at times. Unfortunately, when the rider makes an attempt to carry more passengers than its design, there is a high probability of injuries by falling off the vehicle.
3. Driving after consumption of drugs or alcohol
As ATV riding is mostly opted for recreational purposes, driving after alcohol consumption is too dangerous. Moreover, driving under influence is illegal and may even result in death or cause severe injuries.
4. Careless driving
Driving at high speed, taking sharp turns, trying out risky stunts can result in the rollover or may even lead to loss of vehicle control. The accidents involve ATVs getting crashed into a stationary object due to the carelessness of the driver.
5. Inexperienced driving
As per the norms, ATV riders must have a minimum age of 12 years or must be compulsory supervised by an adult for off-road driving, and have a minimum age of 16 years for driving on-road with a proper license. Inexperience driving plays a major role in ATV accidents.
The most common injuries resulting from ATV accidents:
It depends on the nature of the accident whether an ATV injury is mild or severe. Some of the most common ATV crash injuries include:
- Spinal cord damage
- Severe mutilation
- Facial injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Partial Paralysis
- Back injuries
- Scarring brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Neck injuries
What to do after getting involved in an ATV accident?
Firstly, check for your own injuries and of the victim immediately after the accident. Most of the 4-wheeler ATV accidents are severe and may require medical attention instantly. There may be hidden injuries which you may not be aware of, hence it is necessary to go through a proper medical examination even if you are not severely injured. It is even helpful to file a police report which will further benefit while claiming insurance.
Provide the exact details of the accident to the police officials related to the crash which will make the investigation easier. It is viable to take the images of the accident scene, the injuries, and the damaged ATV vehicle as evidence for the insurance claim. It is even recommended to get the contact information of the witnesses if any at the accident scene.
Further, inform the insurance company about the accident if you have an ATV insurance, and provide them with the required details related to the accident. If you are willing to claim insurance for the accident, never apologize or admit the fault.
When does the need arise to hire an ATV accident lawyer?
If you are involved in an ATV accident in which the other party is at fault, then it is an ideal thing to hire an ATV accident lawyer. The professional injury lawyer will be the best person to guide for the process of claim and provide legal assistance. It is very important to file a claim at the earliest. The cases involving personal injuries may take a long amount of time for the case settlement.
So you should file the case immediately by hiring a personal injury lawyer if the injury is caused by the carelessness of the other individual. If the injuries are severe, then hire an experienced lawyer to assist with the claim process and help you to attain the reclaim for the damages suffered.
Once you are totally recovered from the injuries resulting from an ATV accident, it is really important to understand the safety concerns while driving an ATV on any terrain. If proper care is taken while driving an ATV and follow all norms may refrain from the possibility of getting involved in an accident and drive without any fear of injury in the near future.
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