Fatal Motocross Accident May Be Basis for Liability
A Georgia teenager recently was involved in a tragic, fatal accident while competing in a motocross event in Alabama. Summerville teenager Daniel Tyler Reynolds, 17, died after his motorcycle slammed into a wall during the motocross event. Media reports indicate that Reynolds lost control of his bike while going over a jump.
Reynolds was apparently fairly inexperienced and had only been competing in motocross for slightly over a year. Motocross competition is an increasingly popular sport but also one that can result in extremely dangerous accidents that result in severe injury or even the death of a loved one.
Many people seriously injured in motocross accidents presume that because their sport is inherently dangerous and the execution of a waiver is normal that they may not recover financial compensation for their injury or loss of a loved one. While execution of a waiver when engaging in a high risk sport like motocross can make litigation more challenging, an injury victim should never presume that they are barred from recovery for their injuries under all circumstances. The execution of a waiver will not prevent someone from being injured in a motocross accident nor does it excuse gross negligence by those who host motocross events.
The owner of a motocross venue and the host of motocross competitions must conform to applicable safety standards. At the very least, a motorcycle track should have reasonable signs and be clear of hazards that are not readily apparent. When the owner of a motocross venue or host of the motocross event fails to take such basic safety steps to prevent riders from injury, the track owner or event sponsor may be liable for foreseeable injuries, which occur to riders who are using the track.
Admittedly, execution of a waiver may make personal injury litigation in extreme sports events more complicated, but our experienced Georgia accident attorneys can often identify evidence of gross negligence that may permit us to successfully seek compensation for a motocross accident victim. One issue that may be relevant in the tragic accident involving the Summerville teen may be whether the course was appropriate or the rider was properly warned given the lack of experience of the rider. The rider’s lack of experience combined with the types of hazards present may create the basis for liability for injuries that occur during a motocross accident.
Sometimes motocross accidents occur because of defects in the design or manufacture of one's motocross bike. Similarly, a helmet that is not manufactured according to appropriate safety standards may result in a rider suffering severe and even fatal head injuries. It is important to keep in mind that a waiver does not permit a motocross venue owner or operator or helmet manufacturer to ignore safety standards. While any motocross competition has a certain degree of risk, the risk is magnified exponentially when a rider is air bound over a jump with a defective bike or helmet that does not meet safety standards.
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a motocross accident or any other type of accident, our experienced Georgia accident attorneys at Montlick and Associates will provide you with a free consultation to help you understand your legal rights and right to compensation for your injuries. At Montlick and Associates, our experienced Atlanta accident attorneys are available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.